Stowing The Boat

[JROC]

I'm nearing another deployment and I wanted to know what do you guys do

when you stow your boat for long periods of time? I will have mine in the garage

but heat is still a factor, so I have fans running in there all the time. I try to have

at least half a tank of gas, the ethanol free fuel. My electronics are in the house

and all my tackle stays on the boat except rods and reels.

[martintheduck]

I can't speak much on how to store the boat, but I will chime in an make the recommendation: pull your soft plastics out the boat. Heat has never done anything good for mine. Had bitsy trailers literally melt before. 

[Fishing Rhino]

Fuel stabilizer is a must.  Full is preferable to a half tank because there will be less condensation.  Fog the motor to be sure the cylinders, pistons (including the piston rings), crankshaft bearings, reed valves etc., have adequate protection against rust. 

 

Change the lower unit lube.  If you see any whitish discoloration there is water intrusion.  If there is, you can get it fixed now, or refill with new lube and get it fixed when you return.

 

Batteries will need to be fully charged, then maintained while you are away.  Have family or a friend hook them up to a charger once a month.

 

Be sure to drain the boat and dry it out before you leave.  It doesn't take much moisture in the bilge or other closed areas for mildew to thrive.

 

Take care, and stay safe during your deployment.   Thank you for your service.

[5dollarsplash]

Great advice from the duck and rhino above.

I'd take everything out that isn't attached, I do this every winter up here and everything works next season when I need it to.

 

Make sure to have a good cover in place, not so much for weather but any varmints that may get in the garage.  I stored in a enclosed shed one year to come back to a family of mice munching my wires...never again.  I've also heard of snakes, lizards, etc. which would be more common for your area.

 

And I'll second this wholeheartedly:

Take care, and stay safe during your deployment.   Thank you for your service.

 

[Fishes in trees]

I'd spend the money, and have it winterized, processed for long term storage, mothballed  or whatever they call it in Florida.  Just me, but I'd take all unnecessary gear out of the boat.  Depending on the shape of the batteries, I would probably take them out as well, give them away and count on getting all new batteries when getting ready to float the boat again.  Depending on where I was going to store it, I would consider putting the trailer up on blocks and storing the trailer tires in the boat underneath the boat cover, That isn't so important if you are storing it indoors.  Oh yeah, you've got a boat cover, right?  If not, I'd get one, just to keep dust & stuff out of it.

 

Do everything you can to preserve this boat before you leave.  Where you are going, you will have more important stuff to think about rather than what kind of shape you left your boat in.

 

Option B - sell the boat now and treat yourself to a new boat when you get back.

[Bomber7]

I'm nearing another deployment and I wanted to know what do you guys do

when you stow your boat for long periods of time? I will have mine in the garage

but heat is still a factor, so I have fans running in there all the time. I try to have

at least half a tank of gas, the ethanol free fuel. My electronics are in the house

and all my tackle stays on the boat except rods and reels.

great advice from all that have responded and since I only have a small pond boat that I put in my garage so I can't give much on how to store a gas powered one.  For the tackle ... yup pull it all out and store inside - when I was stationed in Florida I remember those hot days and plastics can get a bit messy.

 

But what I really wanted to say is .... Thank you for you service, stay safe and God Bless.   

 

Doug