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Old 19-10-2022, 09:45   #1
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Preparing a boat for winter storage

I'm buying a boat in UK and will keep it on the hard until March 2023. Is there a "10 things you must do" to maxmise your chances of engine starting, no damp, no rats or anything else terrible that will delay your start to the season?
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Old 19-10-2022, 10:00   #2
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

How cold does it get where you are? If it's below zero for a significant amount of time, then you need to winterize the engine and all plumbing systems. If you get significant snow, or ice rain, then a cover is a good idea.

For moisture, remove all paper/cardboard, and as much cloth as you can. Make sure the boat has air flow. If you can get warm, dry air flowing through it, do so.

Never had any issue with rodents or other critters. I suppose that would depend on where you are. I guess the answer there is, don't give them access.
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Old 19-10-2022, 10:02   #3
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

1) winterize everything that uses water: freshwater system, engine, head, air conditioning, fridge (if water cooled), washdown pump, shower pump, bilge pump. Really a topic of its own as there are various approaches.

2) shrink wrap or cover. Remove or fold bimini and dodger to accommodate.
2a) if shrink wrap or cover not feasible then remove above-deck canvas and running rigging and replace companionway washboards with painted plywood

3) sufficient ventillation
4) remove most food - anything that can freeze or spoil. Dry ingredients (sugar/flour/salt) will be ok but may clump from moisture if not in a sealed container. Oils will be fine. Most spices will be ok. Canned goods that are not primarily water are usually ok but be cautious with things like spaghetti sauce especially in glass.

5) remove other water based items such as shampoo, liquid hand soap, bleach, waterborne glues and paints
6) vacuum water out of the bilge and put in some antifreeze

7) place rodent control poison
8) consider replacing halyards with mousing lines
9) ensure batteries are charged then physically disconnect and tape battery cables. If flooded cells then top off with distilled water before charging
10) wipe everything down inside to reduce mildew formation
11) consider removing linens or placing in sealed bags with dessicant packs
12) consider removing valuable electronics, optics, spares, or place in sealed bags with dessicant packs


The biggest problems with moisture come on the warm, cloudy spring days when warm, moist air enters a cold vessel and condenses on all surfaces. This is the point at which you want to increase ventillation or, if possible, provide a modest amount of cabin heat.
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Old 19-10-2022, 10:07   #4
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

Example of bags for storing things aboard. With care they can be rolled up and reused the following year.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G89K18S/


Example of dessicant. Can be dried out in the oven and reused.


https://www.amazon.com/Dry-Premium-P.../dp/B00DYKTS9C


I get the 5 gram packs and put a handful of them in 5 gallon bags and one or two in smaller bags. Use more in bags with absorbent materials like towels or rope.
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Old 19-10-2022, 10:54   #5
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

Excellent list

Quote:
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12) consider removing valuable electronics, optics, spares, or place in sealed bags with dessicant packs
I remove anything with a lithium-ion battery. I've had hand tool battery packs die after being left in an unheated space over a Minnesota winter. I now remove our boat's EPIRB, life jackets since they contain PLBs, and little stuff like rechargeable flashlights, Bluetooth speaker, etc.
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Old 19-10-2022, 11:03   #6
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

Yes, thanks Jammer. Excellent list.

Batteries are another factor. I always fully charge, then completely disconnect my FLA batteries, and leave them. If you can keep a charge on them, that might be better, but I've never had an issue with my approach.
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Old 19-10-2022, 11:06   #7
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

We live in a cold damp area with the occasional freeze. Huge winds are a factor for us. Last year for the first time in ages we left the boat (in the water) during the winter. We came home to some successes and a couple of awful failures.

Lessons learned:
Remove everything from the deck, we will remove sails and store below.

Condensation and the resulting mildew down below were pretty disgusting. It took weeks of wiping down with vinegar and Concrobium Mold Control. This year we will have a couple ozone generators connected to smart plugs which we'll program to run for about an hour each week. I think this will work, stay tuned.

And thirdly we have lovely live aboard neighbors on each side of us. If they notice anything we get an immediate message and an offer of help. (This is by far the best one...) If you know of anyone who could keep an eye out, do so.

It's a process. We've just started spending winters off the boat, so I expect next year I'll be even more aware of what needs to be on the list. Good luck.
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Old 19-10-2022, 11:40   #8
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

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This year we will have a couple ozone generators connected to smart plugs which we'll program to run for about an hour each week. I think this will work, stay tuned.

Be aware that ozone attacks rubber, so you will shorten the life of any rubber goods aboard such as hoses, latex cushions, weatherstripping, some types of flexible electrical cables, clubwear, related items...
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Old 19-10-2022, 11:48   #9
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

Thanks Jammer, I knew that at one point but the mildew made me a bit desperate.

That's now on my list of inspections before we leave. I'm pretty sure I can remove those things. We have no rubber gaskets so that's cool.

And another friend just told me that when he was a custodian in a high school they had a huge ozone generator running almost non stop. It ATE stainless steel, if you can imagine that!

Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
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Old 19-10-2022, 12:17   #10
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

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Originally Posted by steffan View Post
I remove anything with a lithium-ion battery. I've had hand tool battery packs die after being left in an unheated space over a Minnesota winter.

Alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries are also likely to fail and leak, and if in use, should be removed. Usually they show up in smoke and CO detectors, clocks, thermostats, etc. I used to round up all the batteries in the fall. Now I use NiMH batteries (Eneloop or similar) aboard wherever possible as they withstand cold and never leak, and can be left in palce.



Smoke and CO detectors increasingly use non-replaceable lithium-metal (not lithium-ion) batteries which do fine in the cold.



Lithium ion batteries are supposed to withstand cold storage down to at least -4 F. with some makers claiming they will withstand lower temperatures. See for example this data sheet: http://www.batteryspace.com/prod-spe...20specs%20.pdf Milwaukee Tools says their packs can be used "in subzero temperatures" and does not specify a minimum temperature. Any lithium ion battery will degrade with time regardless of the temperature.
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Old 19-10-2022, 14:05   #11
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

My grandson and I assembled a raspberry pi a few stepper motors cameras and relays. I have an old beater solar panel I’ve attached a sensor to.
I’ve used a product called golden rod for years. They generate a tiny amount of heat and circulate air.
The raspberry monitors battery security humidity as well as turn on heat air or open one hatch.
My boat lost its captain and got stored in probate with a wintered driveline. The entire water system save two water tanks were destroyed by two winters.
The shower was a pain so was routing new lines with no visible damage. We replaced both mattresses despite the boat being newer than our mattress at home. That’s pretty realistic damage from not following all the good advise from others in the thread. We put our mattresses up on end on foam noddle. Same with the sette and dinette. I made a wire loop which holds the fridge open.
My Dinghy Motor goes in the basement. The little boat goes to a barn and sits on carpet beds.
Both these gas motors are fogged and both a spring cleaned started with carb and injector cleaner.
The Donzis stern drive lower end gets removed and oils changed. Hydraulic oil get forgotten but the little guy spoils several quarts a year. The sailboat I run a synthetic hypoid in the transmission which absorb less water than most fall it get changed for storage
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Old 25-10-2022, 11:21   #12
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

I have a question on winterization about keeping out rodents.
My boat is on the hard in a marina and will be shrink-wrapped shortly. I wanted to leave some of the ports open under the shrink wrap, and I plan to place vents in the wrapping. I am concerned about rodents getting into the boat, however.

I used to live in a house with a mouse problem and I still have many yards of copper mesh. This is used to seal cracks against mice, since they cannot gnaw through the copper.

Is there a concern about disimilar metals with the copper mesh wedged against the stainless steel of the port-frame, or is that not an issue since the boat is out of the water where it is unlikely to get exposed to salt water?

Thanks!
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Old 25-10-2022, 11:22   #13
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Re: Preparing a boat for winter storage

I would be concerned.
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