Storing Your Boat for Winter

Now that summer has come to a close, cold temperatures and winter weather are on the horizon, which is why many boaters choose to put their crafts away for the season. It’s important that you don’t just toss a tarp over your trailered boat and walk away from it, though. There are several steps to properly storing your boat that you should take in order to prevent weather damage, pest infestation and theft from occurring.

Not sure where to begin with the boat winterizing and storage processes? Roger's Performance Marine, with locations in Centerville and Hurricane, is happy to be your Utah boat dealer. Read on to learn more about how to properly winterize and store your boat for the season.

Clean & Empty Your Boat

First things first: you need to clean your boat. Sure, this isn’t anyone’s favorite task, but it’s really important. Leaving everything as it stands now will only lead to the development of mold, mildew, rust and corrosion, and you could be inviting pests in without knowing it.

Go through the craft and remove everything that doesn’t need to stay on it. This includes towels, wetsuits, fishing gear, watersports equipment, food, trash, recycling and any expensive items you may have, like a nice pair of binoculars or a GPS unit. Use this time to take stock of your life jackets, throwable flotation device, first-aid kit and other emergency supplies that may need to be replaced or replenished.

Now it’s time to clean every surface, inside and out. This will take some time. It’s good to get into the habit of rinsing your boat after every cruise to remove salt, sand, algae and debris, since it will also make it easier to wash the hull now. Apply a good marine wax to keep it protected. Inside the craft, clean up spills, crumbs, leaves and dirt. You’ll want to thoroughly scrub livewells and baitwells if you have them since any aromas could linger and make the boat smell over time or invite pests.

Determine Where To Store It

Now you need to figure out how to store your craft. Some people opt to leave theirs trailered in the driveway or backyard, but this can lead to corrosion from weather or the build-up of debris over time. If you have a locking shed or garage, this is a much better option.

However, if you don’t have a place on your property to stash your boat, you can always look into storing it at a marina or a dry storage facility. We offer boat storage options here at Roger’s Performance Marine, so come talk to us about how to safely store your boat for the season.

Buy A Cover

A snug, well-fitting boat cover is an essential accessory that you should have regardless of where you store your boat. Obviously, a waterproof and durable cover will protect your boat from the effects of weather when storing it outside. But a cover is also great for indoor storage, because it can help reduce the chance of pest infestation and prevent dust and debris from building up on your craft. A sturdier cover will be necessary for outdoor storage. Make sure you’re choosing one that is designed for your specific type of boat and that it isn’t easy to remove, which will help to deter thieves.

While this isn’t everything you need to do for your craft, it’s a good place to start. If you still have questions, you should come talk to our experienced staff! Looking for boats for sale near Salt Lake City? Visit one of our Utah dealerships today to see our full stock of new and used boats for sale. We also offer boat storage options when you’re ready to put your craft away for the winter. Roger’s Performance Marine proudly serves the cities of Centerville, Hurricane and St. George, Utah.