As we start to enter the fall, Winterization of boats becomes very important!!!!
Along with the typical stuff of making sure your engines and gen-set are winterized per your engine specs and vendors; there are a range of items that people tend to miss that can really SUCK in the springtime! I am going to focus around boats with cabins and enclosed spaces! I love to hear feedback
In the cabin!
Water and moisture can make giant mess in and around your boat;
The rule of thumb that I use is that anything that can absorb moisture and hold it up against any surface of your boat can cause smells and mold.
When we winterize our boat, we have invested in heavy-duty space bags. We take anything that is material based (bedding, pillows, cushions, curtains, carpets and clothing and pack this away in space bags, and add a Damp Rid moisture remover into each one of the space bags then remove the air with a small shop vac. Make sure they have a good seal in the bags. After making sure everything is sealed up tight we normally keep the bags out in the bow berth.
The other things to make sure that are well packed, brought down and stowed are lifejackets, rope lines, cockpit cushions and anything else that is “spongy” from the cockpit area;
We also keep 2 of the damp rid canisters open out on the table and bathroom area, this also keeps moisture at bay.
After the cloth material is completed. We do a full downstairs cleaning, Add vinegar to the bilge, This keeps roaches from coming into the cabin during the winter seeking warmth.
Check your cabin heater (if you have one) and set it for the lowest setting you have. We keep ours at 65.
Also we make sure that we pack all of our cleaners and other items that might have liquids in them in zip lock bags, then store them in a container in case of any links or freezing.
Clean out the refrigerator, we wipe it down with vinegar, and make sure the door is left open if you can, I can prop my door open with a small bungee cords and a small block of wood, this allows the door to stay open but not bang open all winter long.
Make sure that all food is removed from the boat. Again I use small blocks of wood and bungee cords to keep the cabinet doors open and air flowing with out them banging around all winter
Jami
Lake Travis - Austin Tx
1998 Chaparral 300 Signature
twin 5.7 merc's
personal site
http://www.texasstarz.com
Along with the typical stuff of making sure your engines and gen-set are winterized per your engine specs and vendors; there are a range of items that people tend to miss that can really SUCK in the springtime! I am going to focus around boats with cabins and enclosed spaces! I love to hear feedback
In the cabin!
Water and moisture can make giant mess in and around your boat;
The rule of thumb that I use is that anything that can absorb moisture and hold it up against any surface of your boat can cause smells and mold.
When we winterize our boat, we have invested in heavy-duty space bags. We take anything that is material based (bedding, pillows, cushions, curtains, carpets and clothing and pack this away in space bags, and add a Damp Rid moisture remover into each one of the space bags then remove the air with a small shop vac. Make sure they have a good seal in the bags. After making sure everything is sealed up tight we normally keep the bags out in the bow berth.
The other things to make sure that are well packed, brought down and stowed are lifejackets, rope lines, cockpit cushions and anything else that is “spongy” from the cockpit area;
We also keep 2 of the damp rid canisters open out on the table and bathroom area, this also keeps moisture at bay.
After the cloth material is completed. We do a full downstairs cleaning, Add vinegar to the bilge, This keeps roaches from coming into the cabin during the winter seeking warmth.
Check your cabin heater (if you have one) and set it for the lowest setting you have. We keep ours at 65.
Also we make sure that we pack all of our cleaners and other items that might have liquids in them in zip lock bags, then store them in a container in case of any links or freezing.
Clean out the refrigerator, we wipe it down with vinegar, and make sure the door is left open if you can, I can prop my door open with a small bungee cords and a small block of wood, this allows the door to stay open but not bang open all winter long.
Make sure that all food is removed from the boat. Again I use small blocks of wood and bungee cords to keep the cabinet doors open and air flowing with out them banging around all winter
Jami
Lake Travis - Austin Tx
1998 Chaparral 300 Signature
twin 5.7 merc's
personal site
http://www.texasstarz.com