Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

[jjgag60]

I have a choice, I can store my boat inside an old barn, with no heat or electicity, or I can put the cover on with a couple of tarps and use a small heater in my driveway. The driveway solution will cause the outside to get wet, but the heat will keep the inside warm. The barn solution will keep all of it dry, but not keep the mositure out of the air. The barn is 50 miles away so changing any dry air containers will not work.
What are your thoughts? Which is a better solution ?

[DanielC]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

Inside the barn I believe would be the best. Putting heat in a boat that is outside just creates an environment in the boat that is both warm, and humid. Ideal for growing things in your boat you do not want to grow.
Where in the Northwest? A lot of difference from Seattle to Spokane, or Brookings to Bend.

[jjgag60]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

I am in the Seattle area. Thanks

[DanielC]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

Seattle, kind of the same weather as Portland, OR, but slightly wetter, and cooler.
I would still lean to using the barn, one more thing to consider is what animals are in the barn? Any rodents that might get in the boat? Cats sometimes have been known to use a boat for a "nest" when it gets cold.
The biggest concern about the barn is just that the boat is 50 miles away, hard to check on the boat on a regular basis.
My boat has just a regular canvas cover. I store it outside, winterized, of course, in a carport type structure. The carport keeps rain from falling directly on the cover, and really does help keep the boat drier.
Is there a possibility of keeping the boat at your house under some temporary structure?

[tski97]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

I agree with DanielC. I lived in Medford for 8 years and so we delt with our fair shair of moisture. I would say unless you can park under a carport or shelter i would choose the barn. If you have just tarps the boat will get a lot of moisture inside. If you do this do not put heat in it because the mildew will grow like crazy. I would choose the barn if you could keep the rodents out.

[Sinkoumn]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

Barn w/tarps/cover, no doubt. Dry the guts/interior of the boat, place dampness controllers ( $4/ea at any target or boat store) and dryer sheets and let 'er buck!

My boat is 250 miles away in the winter, if you take the basic steps to protect it over the winter you will be fine (and this is coming from MN).

[wildsv211]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

I keep mine inside a barn but in very damp air (Norcal Fog). I make my own dehumidifier that works real well. It iz amazing how much water it pulls out of the air under the cover. I use a 5 gallon paint bucket and hang a mesh paint strainer in the bucket. I grab a couple of bags of dehumidifier pellets and through them in the paint strainer. Hang the strainer so it is suspended towards the top of the bucket and leave it be for the winter. I typically have a bucket half full of water by spring but the boat is bone dry inside....

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

Sinkoumn

What does the dryer sheets do?

[DanielC]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

Hey, you all, some good ideas I can use. Thanks!

[TravisFling]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

NautiqueHunter - Dryer sheets and mothballs keep the critters away.

[waterskifanaticGAJ]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

I recommend storing your boat inside if possible. Take it to one of those self storage places if you have to. If you have to store your boat outside, make sure it is winterized properly. I would remove all the upholstery and store it somewhere it will stay dry. I would get my boat shrinkwrapped if I had to store it outside. Mission critical no matter where you store it is to make sure everything is dry before you put it away. Pull the plug, open all the panels and compartments and let them air out. Put a couple of charcoal briquets in the bilge if you store your boat in a place where there may be moisture. The charcoal will remove moisture. If you have chrome wheels on your trailer, get after them with a good polish, and then coat them with petroleum jelly to protect them from rust.

[2gofaster]

RE: Winter storage in the NW- outside or inside

I would agree with most everyone else. Given the choice between inside and outside storage I would definitely go with inside unless you can shrink wrap it. This year I kept my boat on the trailer at the lake with the cover on it for two months. It's amazing how much stuff still got under the cover and how dirty the inside stayed, even with the cover on it. And that's in the south. Now that I am keeping it in the garage, it stays cleaner(and especially dryer) without the cover than it did outside with the cover. And my cover is waterproof.