| Name: |
blmeanie
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| Subject: |
nearing season end...
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Date:
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8/30/2010 8:14:10 AM
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My first time that I've had a boat out of a marina and on my own.
What are the necessary steps for getting the boat ready for the winter and safely done for the season?
- exterior cleaning (It's been sitting in water all summer, not very clean water at that)
can I use a pressure washer on it without damaging it?
- winterizing
whats involved? Should I just drop it back at my old marina and let them do it?
- interior cleaning
- shrink wrap?
keep critters out? Hate spiders in the springtime that have taken residence on board
- trailer boots/locks?
best way to protect the boat without spending a fortune
The boat will sit on the trailer for the winter. Are engine heaters necessary/good idea/waste? It will have electric power nearby so I could have continuous power if needed.
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| Name: |
Cobra122
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| Subject: |
nearing season end...
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Date:
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8/30/2010 11:01:03 AM
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Do WHATEVER it takes to keep squirrels out, including moving
them one step closer to extinction. They made nests in my
pontoon last year and did about $500 damage. Although, the
green people will tell you not to use them, mothballs do about
as good a job as anything I've found in keeping critters out.
Covers, even though they might be airtight, do not keep the
squirrels away as they will chew through most anything if they
are determined to get in.
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| Name: |
LonghornBoater
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| Subject: |
nearing season end...
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Date:
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8/31/2010 9:00:13 AM
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While it is appropriate and relatively easy to do the fluid changes and flush/fogging of the engine (get a manual from the marina or bookstore), cleaning is another story. The one winter I was forced to leave my boat on the trailer was a disaster. I fully detailed the boat and bought a cover from Overtons, fashioned supports to prevent water pooling during rain storms, and put an open box of moth balls under the helm station. I came back in the spring to a total mess. The cover despite my preparation had evidently filled with water, frozen, and split the cover allowing more water into the cockpit with subsequent rains, all the upholstery was mildew ridden and the inside of the boat filled with leaves and other debris.
Two recommendations, one if at all possible store the boat in closed storage (think mini storage or pole barn) or at least where you can observe it on a regular basis failing this, just do the mechanical weatherization and a general clean up now and save your energy for a total redo in the spring.
Good luck and start saving now for the cleaning materials and Advil you'll need in the Spring.
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| Name: |
Russ
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| Subject: |
nearing season end...
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Date:
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9/1/2010 11:44:33 AM
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From my understanding, engine heaters are only used if the boat is staying in the water. Just winterize the motor...pull the freeze plugs, disconnect the appropriate hoses.
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| Name: |
houseboat
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| Subject: |
nearing season end...
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Date:
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9/1/2010 1:52:57 PM
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I assume you do not have a cabin cruiser but incase you do you will need to drain any water lines in the galley and the water supply pump. If you have a frig you might consider leaving the door open.
If the bottom is bottom painted you will probably need to redo the bottom just before you start using it again using the appropriate type paint for taking it in and out of the water. Of course, if you bottom paint make sure you check and repair blisters and put on an epoxy sealant prior to the bottom paint. You need to know what you are doing with bottom paint and sealant.
The covers you buy are not necessarily water proof. The cheaper plastic tarps are more water proof but will only last one season and it is trash. The sun will eat them up in about 10 months or less. Leave the drain plug out. PVC works well to build frames to support the covers.
I am not an authority on the motors but on some engines you can take the water pump impeller out of the pump and leave it out to prevent it from forming a set. Another option is to turn the engine over often, like every 3 or 4 weeks.
Make sure you prevent dirt dobbers from filling up all the vent holes, etc. and check them before running.
Fantastic or 409 does a pretty good job of cleaning and Jomax (follow instructions) will remove any mold and most other dirt etc.
For deep water stains you may need some help to retain a nice finish.
Houseboat
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| Name: |
blmeanie
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| Subject: |
nearing season end...
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Date:
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9/1/2010 3:43:32 PM
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thanks for all the suggestions and advice.
To clear up and give some specifics, my boat is a 24.5' Harris Kayot deckboat.
I have the cover that I use (cloth) with front and rear middle high points/poles and was thinking of doing the shrink wrap on top of that to protect the cover some.
Additionally the boat will be trailered in an open carport with a slight angle to the rear. Plugs would open to allow any drainage if there was some necessary.
It was interesting to me to read that someone said heaters weren't necessary. I've read elsewhere that people with ski boats have used heaters that are on a thermostat kick in when temp drops below a set level. These people aren't necessarily in Georgia or Alabama so maybe it is something people do in colder climates.
I had an engine block crack during the winter a few years ago. Trying to avoid that even if it costs me a little bit up front.
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
By all means.....
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Date:
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9/1/2010 5:32:21 PM
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Please contact a shop, of your choice and have your boat winterized properly. All of the advice is good, but there are several things left out. I am sure there will be other advice, and all of it is accurate. I would not chance it if I were you. Get it done right.
Cat,
Just outside of Cathouse.
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| Name: |
Pontoonfisher
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| Subject: |
nearing season end...
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Date:
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9/2/2010 7:19:07 AM
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You should listen to Cat. If you have an I/O engine or Inboard you should get it winterized. I would not use a heater. First of all they are a fire hazard especially in a closed in bilge where fumes can build up. Second they are prone to failure. Most engine block failures occur in the South b/c people feel that they do not need to winterize their engines. All it takes is a couple of days of below freezing temperatures to crack that block.
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Proper winterization is a must. Pay to have it done or do whats necessary to learn ALL about doing it yourself. As for the other stuff, it's all good advice and keeping the covered boat out of the weather will be well worth the effort when it comes to spring cleaning and year around maintenance. Good air circulation is also very helpful. I got tired of cleaning and the wear and tear of exposure on my equipment so I built a 38X40 garage to park the toys. It's the best money I ever spent and I'll get it all back if I ever sell the house....... Mold, mildew, sun /UV, dust, dirt, birds and bugs are no longer a problem.
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| Name: |
blmeanie
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| Subject: |
ditto
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Date:
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9/2/2010 4:35:27 PM
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unfortunately I do not have the luxury of building a garage. Great idea, just have the Army Corps saying no where we are.
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| Name: |
houseboat
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| Subject: |
Alatoona
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Date:
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9/2/2010 4:53:54 PM
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Do yall have a lot of large houseboats on Lake Alatoona?
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| Name: |
blmeanie
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| Subject: |
Alatoona
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Date:
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9/2/2010 8:01:47 PM
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Yes, I can think of at least 4 marinas with many each. Why?
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| Name: |
houseboat
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| Subject: |
Alatoona
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Date:
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9/3/2010 8:39:34 AM
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When you mentioned the Corp of Engineers had restrictions on land use I just figured it might be a good place for Houseboats. I just really love houseboats and have 2 myself but one is just a shell ready to be rebuilt.
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| Name: |
blmeanie
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| Subject: |
Alatoona
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Date:
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9/3/2010 10:09:26 AM
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I've never been on one. Would scare me to have kids on it overnight for fear of sleepwalking or something like that.
I do think it would be very cool to be on vaca on one with regular boat tied off to it or anchored next to it.
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| Name: |
houseboat
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| Subject: |
Allatoona
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Date:
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9/3/2010 11:01:14 AM
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We have taken 3 trips on the Alabama river, two were for a week. We pulled 2 waverunners behind the boat when they were not being ridden. I hope to make another trip in the next couple of years when I get one of the boats in better shape.
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