The Do's and Don't's of Storing Your Boat Outdoors in Lake Arrowhead

If you're a boat owner in Lake Arrowhead and winter is approaching with your boat parked out back, the best thing to do is find indoor shelter for it--fast. Even if you prepare your boat and throw a tarp over it, winter snow, rain and wind can have ill effects. If the water freezes on the boat, it can cause cracking and loosen rivets. Critters might want to make a safe haven out of your parked boat as well.

Obviously, if your boat is parked safely indoors, you've already eliminated the threat of the natural elements. Plus, at a good facility such as Premier Indoor Storage in not-too-far Corona (with pick-up service available), boat mechanics are on hand to carry out routine boat maintenance checks and do what's necessary to keep your investment in fine shape for the next time you want to use it.

However, if you do insist on leaving your boat outdoors for the winter in Lake Arrowhead, here are some important steps to take:

1) Tarp it, yes, but before you do, jack up the front higher than the rear and drain out any water before the winter can freeze it over.

2) Remove all interior gear, such as life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers and so on. This is also a good time to inventory what you have, so you can approach the next boating season with a list of what you need (and what you might currently be missing)--and what you don't need but have accumulated over time.

3) Take out the batteries. Fill the water levels and clean the exterior of the batteries to get rid of acid, dirt and other build-up.

4) Vacuum out the inside completely, and use a good bristle where needed for a thorough cleaning.

5) Apply a vinyl protectant to the seats.

6) If you boat exterior allows it, give it a good waxing.

7) Winterize the motor, following these steps:

. Fill the gas tank completely with gas (or gas-oil mixture) and add a stabilizing agent, so come spring there's no moisture build-up in the tank.
. Run the motor for 10-15 minutes and then spray a steady stream of a fogging agent into the carburetor. The fogging agent covers everything inside the motor with a thick coat of oil protecting it from moisture.
. Leave the spark plugs as they are. You're best to replace those the next time you take your boat out for a run.
. Check the oil, and if it's at all dirty, drain and replace it.
. If the water pump is two to three years old, it's a good idea to replace it now.
. Add grease to all the grease fittings until it pushes out at the seams. This will eliminate the old grease as well as any water that's accumulated.
. Clean the motor with soap and water and wax it with the same wax you used on the exterior of the boat.

8) Jack up the trailer and check the wheel bearings by spinning the wheels. Also look for signs of leaking grease, which could indicate bad seals that need replacing.

9) Fill the tires to the desired pressure and then remove them and stow away inside the garage or some covered spot to keep them away from nature's havoc. This, of course, will require that you jack or prop up the trailer during the storage period.

For any of these steps, especially winterizing the motor, you may want to get a local boat mechanic to do the work. However, your best bet is still indoor storage at secure, full-service facilities such as Premier. Some of these steps will still have to be taken, but Premier Indoor Storage services can do them for you--and watch over your boat until the next time you want to use it.