What Can I leave in the boat while it’s stored for the winter?

[Alex F]

When I keep the boat in my driveway I take absolutely everything out and open everything that can be opened to provide maximum ventilation. Now, the boat is stored at marina and this creates a lot more effort and time to take everything out. Do you guys take all the items out regardless, or is this overkill?
How important is to keep all cabinets and drawers open, does it really help avoiding mildew build up?

P.S.
I guess I should add that I'm in NJ and the boat would be under shrink-wrap for 5-6 months.

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[Sea Ray 300]

Alex,

We also store remotely, and shrinkwrapped for 6 months.

We remove everything that is portable, except the cushions, including the Sunbrella carpet covers.
We open all drawers, doors, etc. for maximum air exposure.
We vacuum out the A/C pan, and shower sump.
We completely dry out the refer(s), and leave the door(s) ajar.
We leave the micro door ajar, & pull out the TV tray.
We stand all cushions on edge, for maximum air exposure.
No doubt, I left something out, but the bottom line, is, all spaces open and well ventilated, including the floor hatch.
Then we use dishpans with the Starbrite desiccant tubs (full) standing in the middle of the pans, to catch any overflow.
We used 2 in our 26, and we use 4 in our 30.
We also leave the cabin door open about 2 inches.

Might sound like a bit of overkill, but our 26 was surveyed at 10 years of age,
and the surveyor could not believe the freshness of the cabin after 10 years.
He said most 10 year old boats showed some signs of mildew in the cabin.

Unacceptable...:thumbsup:

 

[comsnark]

I agree. . .I also remove all the removable cushions.

I also leave open the door -> even in the summer, I leave it open an inch or two (not too worried about theft in my area. . .

 

[Alex F]

Thanks guys for confirming that I'm on the right track. We just got our 320DA and it's about 40 min from the house. So, my wife started rethinking the process of removing everything since it'll be more time consuming.

How about items like stern ancor, fenders, power cord, do you think those could be left on board?

How do you deal with electrical hatch if you have to take the batteries out? Do you hot wire the hatch motors, what's the trick?

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[sbw1]

Mildew is an issue mostly on boats stored outside. If you are inside cold or heated mildew is pretty much a nonissue as long as you put things away clean and dry. It's the big swings in temps that create condensation and the related problems.

 

[Sea Ray 300]

How about items like stern anchor, fenders, power cord, do you think those could be left on board?
How do you deal with electrical hatch if you have to take the batteries out? Do you hot wire the hatch motors, what's the trick?

Alex,

I leave the power cord and dock hose aboard, after draining it.

As far as the electric hatch, you should have been provided with a cigarette lighter male end, connected to a red and black pigtail.

Plug it into your 12 volt receptacle at the helm, after you connected it to one of your batteries, and the hatch will operate.....

 

[jrcinnh]

I actually leave me batteries in the boat but disconnected. I open and close the hatch using the cigarette light adapter and a portable battery jumper.

I've never had mildew problems during the winter. Some say that the blue shrink absorbs more heat and keeps the boat warmer and dryer. I leave all the cushions, but prop them up so air can get under them. I also leave clean linens, towels and blankets in large trash bags. We bring home all food and drink. I did leave unopened dry food one year but it didn't taste good in the spring. I defrost the fridge a week before storage to allow drying time, use a cooler your last weekend. I use a bungee to hold the fridge door open all winter. I put a dryer sheet in every draw and compartment to keep out rodents. I have back-up PFDs that we have never got wet, they stay in the cabin.

Outside the cabin, I leave ropes, fenders and anchor gear in the stern locker. I make sure that the lines are somewhere they can dry not rolled in a ball. Our regular everyday PFD's are left in the cockpit. I leave the main anchor and rode in-place.

So basically I try to leave everything that won't freeze, stink or go bad.

 

[Alex F]

After I my wife read your suggestions she understood that cutting corners may create more issues later on, so we're sticking with proper way of storing by taking everything out and open everthing we knew and you guys suggested. With more time spent we're hopping to get better long time reward. The first immidiate reward we just got is finding a new to us huge starage space, which was right below aft cabin (starboard side)cabinets. I saw the hinges when was moving coushins and poped the side coushin open. Wow, what a great spot. We love the way storage is organized in 320, I think starting from 300 it makes a great difference b/c it's a real pain in 240. We've used every available open spot.

The cigarette lighter male end worked great.

We didn't feel comfortable leaving hatch open or the cabin door open just in case if shrink rap gives and allows some water in the cockpit area. We had an access door made, so I'm planning to take few trips during the winter to check things out.

Thx,
Alex.

 

[wkearney99]

I keep all my gear stored in the same style of rubbermaid containers. Three different sizes, all the same color. Makes it easier to find them again in the spring when I'm rummaging around in the attic. Just make sure you don't store anything that would be damaged by excessive heat or cold. Like candles or liquids. Those all go into the same sort of container, just stowed in the basement instead. Keep an eye out for when they go on sale at a local Target. That and I use a couple of really large duffel bags from REI. They're good for stuffing the bed linens, pillows and quilts into. That and another one for the life jackets (not with sheets as the PFDs tend to get nasty if left wet).

 

[Robski97]

I guess im the minority. We empty the fridge, but other then that and linens everything stays . Whats the difference between storing the stuff in the boat or in a the detached garage ? Nada in my book. 15 years of boating never had a mold , mildew issue. 4 containers of the moisture absorb things , all draws open and cushions on end .... and im done. Boats only covered till first week of march so its what 4 months ? Only thing different this year is the marina made me remove my electronics. They are afraid of theft.

Rob