Outdoor winter storage

[mikebu]

Any tips for outdoor winter storage here in rainy seattle? I have a evolution cover and a container of that moisture absorbing stuff. This weekend I'll be doing my best to make sure it is dried out.

Do people rollup their ballast bags?

Should I leave the seat cushions in place, popped open, or take them out?

Is 1 container of the moisture absorbing stuff enough, should I have more then 1?

Should I be pulling the cover off periodically when the weather turns sunny?

Should I pull the batteries out and then remove the drain plug?


Thanks,
Mike

[RobertJ]

Mike,

I store mine outdoors in rainy Salem. I purchased a Costco portable garage, 10' x 20' about $200. This keeps the rain and sun off the boat. Be sure to anchor it down because the blow away like big kites, trust me. I do bring as much viynl as possible into the garage and I disconnect the battery with my battery switch.

I use an stay-dry product in the boat as well. Good luck and get one of those Costco garages and anchor it down well. The other cool thing about the Costco cover is that you can work on winter boat projects and stay dry. I made the legs 4 feet taller on my cover so I can back in with the tower upright.

No mold in my boat since I got the went to storing it this way.

[kaneboats]

Sounds pretty smart to me. I saw an ad for a portable garage today in the Harbor Freight Tools flyer. I think it's also online at harborfreightusa.com.

[jester]

Mike,

I store mine outdoors in rainy Salem. I purchased a Costco portable garage, 10' x 20' about $200. This keeps the rain and sun off the boat. Be sure to anchor it down because the blow away like big kites, trust me. I do bring as much viynl as possible into the garage and I disconnect the battery with my battery switch.

I use an stay-dry product in the boat as well. Good luck and get one of those Costco garages and anchor it down well. The other cool thing about the Costco cover is that you can work on winter boat projects and stay dry. I made the legs 4 feet taller on my cover so I can back in with the tower upright.

No mold in my boat since I got the went to storing it this way.

Robert,

What did you use to make it 4 feet taller? Do you have an Pic's?

[Razzman]

I also have the costco garage, but at almost 24' with the toungue folded it doesn't fit. I made an "addition" to the garage by using chain link fence top rail and added on to the garage in a semi leanto fashion by 5'. Covered it with a temp tarp and now it's 25'! I'm having a permanent canvas cover fitted with a 'D' door in the rear for access. FYI: the costco garage is well made for $200, you can't go wrong as it has front rear doors and side curtains w/ windows in case you wanna let the sun in!

[RobertJ]

Jester,

I was able to slip galvined pipe inside the existing legs. I don't rember the exact size but it was a super tight fit and I pushed the leg extension 4 feet into the existing legs. I then drilled a hole through both pipes and put a stainless bolt with a nylock. Works great and no wobble. The vinyl panels are now 4 feet of the ground. This works great for air flow, you could add some lower panels if you need to.

By the way this extra height makes the shelter even that much more of a kite. I have it anchored very well and it has survived some ugly wind (60+ mph) rain and even a little snow. My first one flew away before I anchored and lifted it. 4:00am in the morning and up, up away over my fence on to the top of my car in the driveway.

I would love to post pictures but I need to go to posting school because I have not been able to figure it out.

[zegm]

Hey that portable garage sounds great but I can not locate it on the Costco site. Do you have the correct name or brand?

[RobertJ]

Zegm,

Costco item number 240681. It is not available at Costco.com but it should be something in you local Costco.

P.S. They are really cool just don't forget to anchor it. I am sure in Florida the winds might get a little stronger then the Northwest.

[maxpower220]

I have shrink wrapped a boat for the winter a few times. I did the regular winterize to the boat and engine. Then prop up the seats, put in a moisture absorber, and wrap it. You can usually find a company to do one big sheet or I got a roll of wrap from a packing company and made several passes with it. It took about 30-45 mins. the first time and 10 the second time I did it. I left the plug in the bottom the second time and out the first time. After it was wrapped, I put a cheap ($60) cover from Walmart on the boat. It covered the wrap and the sides of the boat. The boat smelled brand new 4 months later when I opened it (it was a new boat that year). Total cost for the wrap was about $15.
This is a little different than a tent.

[Sled491]

I have one of those portable garages out at my lake property. I use it as a regular garage out there, but they make great shelters, mine is going on 4 yrs old and is still in like 85% condition. This past winter I had almost 3 ft of snow up the sides with no failure. My boat is probably going in the garage at home this winter so it's accesible for projects (new graphics hint hint), but if I put if over at our warehouse I will buy another one of those shelters to help protect her from the elements, for sure.