Boat Storage Guide

Many boat owners keep their vessels in storage for long periods of time, whether because they know they won’t have time to get out on the water for a while, or just to keep it safe for the winter. Whatever your reason for storing your boat, it is important that you properly prepare it first. Otherwise, you might come back to find that your watercraft has suffered serious damage or degradation. That is why Nisswa Marine has created this guide to storing your boat.

Select the Right Storage Location

Your first task will be to find a suitable location to store your boat. It’s important that whatever place you choose be both secure and protected from the elements. Depending on the size of your vessel and your overall living situation, you might be able to store your boat at home. If you don’t have the room, we recommend renting space in a storage facility. Indoor facilities offer more protection, though you might be able to get away with using an outdoor facility if you have a good cover for your boat. 

Prepare Your Boat for Storage

Before you put your boat into storage, drain away any water and flush the engine. This will help ensure that nothing gets corroded while in storage. Next, wash your boat. Be sure to use a manufacturer-approved approved marine wash to avoid damaging the vessel. You should then remove any personal belongings and other small items from the watercraft. Finish off by adding fuel stabilizer to the tanks and putting the cover on your boat. 

Check the Electrical System

Your boat’s electrical system, particularly the battery, is very vulnerable to damage if the vessel spends too long in storage. Remove the battery and check that everything is off before you store your boat. Store the battery itself in a dry, temperature-controlled location and keep it well charged. If you follow these steps, your battery should come out of storage working just as well as it did before. 

Check the Trailer

Some boat owners choose to keep their vessel on its trailer while in storage. If you go this route, make sure that your tires are both well-inflated and out of the sun. Naturally, you should also make sure that the vessel is securely tied down before transporting it. 

Schedule Periodic Visits

Don’t forget about your boat just because it is in storage! Check up on your vessel every once in a while to see how it is holding up. This is also a good chance to check that your boat’s cover is intact and perform basic maintenance like lubricating the bearings. These inspections can help you detect problems before they have a chance to get worse. 

For more information or to view our available boat storage options, visit Nisswa Marine online or at our dealership in Nisswa, Minnesota. We also both new and pre-owned boat models, as well as services like winterization, financing, trade-ins, maintenance, and parts ordering. We are proud to serve communities like St. Cloud and Minneapolis, Minnesota.