Just like your home, your automobile, and any other large item you own, your boat is an investment that you want to protect. When you decide it’s time to store it at a Carson storage facility, there are some steps you should take to ensure that it is kept at its current level of quality. Long periods of storage can wear on your boat, leading to expensive maintenance and repairs before you can use it again. Here is a quick list of things you should do before you store your boat: Change Oil Any acid – and even water – that has found its way into your boat’s oil can corrode your boat’s engine. You should change the oil filter and flush the system out to ensure all water and acids are cleared out. Then, fill it up with brand new oil before you store it. Coolant System Refresh Drain out all of the coolant that is currently in your boat’s system. Flush it with water. Once flushed out completely, fill it with new antifreeze. Be sure to check with the boat’s manufacturer to find out how to dilute the antifreeze. This will protect the coolant system parts of your engine from corroding. Remove Drive Belts If drive belts are kept taut for long periods of time, they may dry and crack. Remove or at least loosen them before putting your boat in storage. Battery Be sure to disconnect the battery so that it won’t drain and die while it is being stored and fill it up with distilled water. Take the time to charge the battery up once in a while to ensure it will work perfectly when you hook it back into the boat. Fill the Gas Tank If your boat’s gas tank is only half full, condensation can occur and corrode the interior of the gas tank. Add some fuel stabilizer to the gas, too, to ensure the fuel is ready to use when you want to put your boat back in the water. In the Interior Remove any electronics, organic materials, including canvas and leather, or any other fabrics from the boat. Any moisture could mold and ruin those materials and electronics can rust. Water tanks should be emptied, and be sure to run antifreeze through water pipes. Wash/Wax Thoroughly wash the entire interior and exterior of the boat and allow it to dry completely. Adding a layer of wax where necessary will protect surfaces from corrosion and rust. This is especially important if your boat is going to be stored outside. Cover Your Boat If you are storing your boat outside, protect it from dust, dirt, and moisture by covering it with a boat cover. Covering your boat will ensure that it looks just like it did when you stored it away. Carson Boat Storage Solutions By preparing your boat properly for storage, you will find that it will be ready to roll out onto the water when you are ready to take it back out. If you have any questions about storing your boat, contact us at US Storage Centers. We are happy to answer any of your self-storage questions. The Storage Company 23529 Figueroa Street Carson, CA 90745 (424) 888-3608
