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Author Topic:   Outdoor Winter Storage

PeteB88 posted 11-25-2012 07:18 PM ET (US)
Every year I store my Outrage indoors at a great facility in Muskegon and am usually one of the last boats in the facility because I run, or intend to, run the boat late into the season. This year the water level, everywhere, is so low that I have not had the boat in the water for fall fishing, cruising or color tours at all. The water level issue is serious concern in Michigan
In any case, I'm curious how many of you in the snow belt winterize and simply cover your boats and leave outside or in your driveways as opposed to indoor storage?
How do you cover (assuming some might have boat shrink wrapped) and do you do anything else for winter prep? The previous owner of my boat had a rather elaborate wooden frame (home made) and heavy canvas system he used which I got with the boat.
As regards my indoor storage - Every year begins with good intentions to go to the boat barn and work on my boat, clean, waxing, new gear etc and every year I do not. That is part of my rationale for spending the money to store the boat indoors. I do store my 13 outdoors, all covered up w/ Mills cover and poly tarp laced tight over that.
Your thoughts and suggestions appreciated.
Teak Oil posted 11-25-2012 07:48 PM ET (US)
I would recommend shrink wrapping, if done right it is a pretty good way to protect your boat. Sometimes it can be salvaged and reused the next year as well. You can have zipper accesses installed if you want to get into the boat easily also.
If you are confident the canvas system will give you piece of mind in high winds then go that route, but it will require a lot more of your time to set up.
Sourpuss1 posted 11-25-2012 08:03 PM ET (US)
PeteB,
It is hard to beat shrinkwrap for piece of mind when the snow falls. I had my 25' boat shrink wrapped proffesionaly the first year I owned the boat, and carefully observed his technique and layout. Thereafter I shrunk it myself. Friends and I split a roll every year, and it was affordable.
With that said, you will have to weigh the shrinkwrap/inside storage cost difference.
At a minimum you should: Remove everything from the boat (including electronics, cleaning supplies, oil, carpets, cushions, batteries etc etc), make sure the cabin and bilge are properly ventilated. Verify the shrink wrapping is properly ventalated when complete. Also be aware of the fuel vent location.
My boat wintered in my back yard, and after particulary heavy or wet snowfall, I would broom it off. It's kinda fun having 200lbs of snow fall on you when you just barely touch it with a broom!
PeteB88 posted 11-25-2012 10:22 PM ET (US)
Sourpuss - where do you buy the supplies??
Sourpuss1 posted 11-26-2012 12:22 AM ET (US)
My local canvas maker is a distributor.
Looks like Dr. Shrink has an outlet in Manistee.
Google Dr. Shrink for how-to videos, etc...
floater88 posted 11-26-2012 07:15 AM ET (US)
I'm up in Toronto and store my boat in the back yard. I built a little frame out of plumbing ABS pipe that fits onto the trailer guide posts. I store it with the travel cover first and then a heavy duty tarp over the cockpit and finaly a very large white tarp over the whole boat. Works good and I can reuse it each year.
http://s123.beta.photobucket.com/user/sterios/media/DSCN1309.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3
http://s123.beta.photobucket.com/user/sterios/media/DSCN1310.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2
http://s123.beta.photobucket.com/user/sterios/media/DSCN1312.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
http://s123.beta.photobucket.com/user/sterios/media/DSCN1317.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
floater88 posted 11-26-2012 07:21 AM ET (US)
Not sure if those links worked so i'm posting them again.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/sterios/DSCN1309.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/sterios/DSCN1310.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/sterios/DSCN1312.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/sterios/DSCN1317.jpg
Jeff posted 11-26-2012 10:45 AM ET (US)
Pete,
Build a simple 2x4 or PVC tube A-Frame that fits into the cockpit to help shed the snow and then cover it with a large tarp.
Here are images of Phils 17 Outrage under cover.
https://picasaweb.google.com/CascoBayOutrage/Misc#5152532098921679170
https://picasaweb.google.com/CascoBayOutrage/Misc#5152532180526057810
Or for a couple hundred dollars you can just buy a temporary garage frame that you can reuse year after year.
http:/ / www. northerntool. com/ shop/ tools/ product_200516313_20051631 3?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Tarps-_-Vehicle%20Ports-_-25919& ci_sku=25919& ci_ gpa=pla& ci_kw={keyword}& gclid=CJ-rsdr87LMCFe5FMgodAAIAJg
PeteB88 posted 11-26-2012 10:56 AM ET (US)
Thanks - Still kickin around the idea, have a great place to keep the boat, cool dudes and price right. I really wanna get her out one more time - some jumbo perch fishing going on E end of Muskegon Lake - I wish I had more time. Thanks for the tips for sure. Jeff, Bart gave me the most awesome piece of major heavy duty canvas he used to cover the boat. Thanks to all you guys for sure! The 13 will stay here could go in my storage shed.
PeteB88 posted 11-26-2012 11:08 AM ET (US)
floater - I got the shots, innovative. Thanks!
jimp posted 11-26-2012 11:11 AM ET (US)
Here in Juneau, Alaska we get up to 220" of snow each year. Shrink wrapping is roughly $350 for my 1990 Revenge 22' - W.T. so I make a cover using 2x4s. pvc piping, a HEAVY WWII canvas tent top (flat) and two large brown plastic tarps (brown is less conspicuous than blue which sheds snow very well when I scrape it off. I have to keep the boat in front of the house because the driveway is on a slope and I can't get to the backyard. Not the best, but snow plows give me a break and have been kind for the last 14 years.
I strip the boat of everything I can (Juneau is in the Tongass National Forest which is also a rain forest with plenty of rain and humidity) and store it in my heated garage. I don't want mildew or "green things" growning. I always wait through the last days of September for a dry day and try to but the boat away dry.
I also take my wheels off and block the trailer. This does two things: keeps the tires from getting frozen in to up to 4" of ice; and, makes me "exercise" the lug nuts twice a year.
This has worked fine until last February when my State Trooper neighbor, in his State Trooper truck, on State Trooper business overshot his parking spot in the ice and snow and knocked the boat/trailer off the blocks and did $3,500 worth of damage to the engine cowlings. The State mailed me a check and all was fixed.
http://smg.beta.photobucket.com/user/jimp/library/Kelsey%20J/ Winter%20Covers
Treypescatorie posted 11-26-2012 07:54 PM ET (US)
I have a 21 foot Conquest. I use electrical conduit pvc ( make it into an arch) and I clamp it on by the bow rail with 2 hose clamps on each side, then I use two more pieces that I put into the rod holders. I take a galvanized pipe with a closet flange and I stick it in where the optional ski pylon goes. Then I run a rope from the bow rail and I tie it around the pvc, working my way to the stern and tying it to the closet flange.Then I take two more pieces of rope going from the closet flange to each cleat by the stern. I tie foam over the closet flange and over the anchor guide to prevent the tarp from tearing. My wife made me a big sock that I slip over the engine cover (to prevent chafing the cover)I use a blue tarp and secure it with bungee cords around the belly of the boat. Use as many bungee cords as needed so the tarp does not flap around in the wind. It works nice for me and the pvc poles are easy to store verses a frame.
Buckda posted 11-26-2012 08:30 PM ET (US)
Pete -
Just suck it up and store her in that beautiful boat storage condo/man cave facility.
But if you can't or won't....then don't cheap out and buy the blue tarp. Go to TSC and the only two tarps you want to look at are the black ones or the brown ones.
I got lucky a few weeks ago, I found a very large, very heavy duty tarp alongside a state highway that had fallen off a flatbed truck. It had a bit of grease and rust on it, but we cleaned it up and it is a great addition to my collection of crap that I seem to drag around the country with me. :)
Dave
PeteB88 posted 11-26-2012 09:40 PM ET (US)
I have no problem taking it to the storage place in MKG but it's here and I thought maybe I'd just leave her here this time. If I thought about the cost I could buy something for it. One thing I've been planning is to have the boat taken off the trailer and boat storage guys were going to help me work on it and fix up a few things and maybe paint it before next season. That is serious advantage of the place I use. I'd like to budget for new trailer but we'll have to see how those receivables are going to go.
Dave, I am impressed with Road Salvage example - now you're talkin like a kid whose dad came from the Old Country and made us pound nails straight and put them in a coffee can. Reuse started a lonnnnnnggggg time ago.
PeteB88 posted 11-26-2012 10:27 PM ET (US)
Dave - It's not in the supremo condo anymore - that would be a no brainer and for the cost. Tom and Greg moved the Tiara to Mart Dock. My boat stays w/ Dale's Outrage on the po side of town.

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Author	Topic: Outdoor Winter Storage
PeteB88	posted 11-25-2012 07:18 PM ET (US) Every year I store my Outrage indoors at a great facility in Muskegon and am usually one of the last boats in the facility because I run, or intend to, run the boat late into the season. This year the water level, everywhere, is so low that I have not had the boat in the water for fall fishing, cruising or color tours at all. The water level issue is serious concern in Michigan In any case, I'm curious how many of you in the snow belt winterize and simply cover your boats and leave outside or in your driveways as opposed to indoor storage? How do you cover (assuming some might have boat shrink wrapped) and do you do anything else for winter prep? The previous owner of my boat had a rather elaborate wooden frame (home made) and heavy canvas system he used which I got with the boat. As regards my indoor storage - Every year begins with good intentions to go to the boat barn and work on my boat, clean, waxing, new gear etc and every year I do not. That is part of my rationale for spending the money to store the boat indoors. I do store my 13 outdoors, all covered up w/ Mills cover and poly tarp laced tight over that. Your thoughts and suggestions appreciated.
Teak Oil	posted 11-25-2012 07:48 PM ET (US) I would recommend shrink wrapping, if done right it is a pretty good way to protect your boat. Sometimes it can be salvaged and reused the next year as well. You can have zipper accesses installed if you want to get into the boat easily also. If you are confident the canvas system will give you piece of mind in high winds then go that route, but it will require a lot more of your time to set up.
Sourpuss1	posted 11-25-2012 08:03 PM ET (US) PeteB, It is hard to beat shrinkwrap for piece of mind when the snow falls. I had my 25' boat shrink wrapped proffesionaly the first year I owned the boat, and carefully observed his technique and layout. Thereafter I shrunk it myself. Friends and I split a roll every year, and it was affordable. With that said, you will have to weigh the shrinkwrap/inside storage cost difference. At a minimum you should: Remove everything from the boat (including electronics, cleaning supplies, oil, carpets, cushions, batteries etc etc), make sure the cabin and bilge are properly ventilated. Verify the shrink wrapping is properly ventalated when complete. Also be aware of the fuel vent location. My boat wintered in my back yard, and after particulary heavy or wet snowfall, I would broom it off. It's kinda fun having 200lbs of snow fall on you when you just barely touch it with a broom!
PeteB88	posted 11-25-2012 10:22 PM ET (US) Sourpuss - where do you buy the supplies??
Sourpuss1	posted 11-26-2012 12:22 AM ET (US) My local canvas maker is a distributor. Looks like Dr. Shrink has an outlet in Manistee. Google Dr. Shrink for how-to videos, etc...
floater88	posted 11-26-2012 07:15 AM ET (US) I'm up in Toronto and store my boat in the back yard. I built a little frame out of plumbing ABS pipe that fits onto the trailer guide posts. I store it with the travel cover first and then a heavy duty tarp over the cockpit and finaly a very large white tarp over the whole boat. Works good and I can reuse it each year. http://s123.beta.photobucket.com/user/sterios/media/DSCN1309.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3 http://s123.beta.photobucket.com/user/sterios/media/DSCN1310.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2 http://s123.beta.photobucket.com/user/sterios/media/DSCN1312.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1 http://s123.beta.photobucket.com/user/sterios/media/DSCN1317.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
floater88	posted 11-26-2012 07:21 AM ET (US) Not sure if those links worked so i'm posting them again. http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/sterios/DSCN1309.jpg http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/sterios/DSCN1310.jpg http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/sterios/DSCN1312.jpg http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/sterios/DSCN1317.jpg
Jeff	posted 11-26-2012 10:45 AM ET (US) Pete, Build a simple 2x4 or PVC tube A-Frame that fits into the cockpit to help shed the snow and then cover it with a large tarp. Here are images of Phils 17 Outrage under cover. https://picasaweb.google.com/CascoBayOutrage/Misc#5152532098921679170 https://picasaweb.google.com/CascoBayOutrage/Misc#5152532180526057810 Or for a couple hundred dollars you can just buy a temporary garage frame that you can reuse year after year. http:/ / www. northerntool. com/ shop/ tools/ product_200516313_20051631 3?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Tarps-_-Vehicle%20Ports-_-25919& ci_sku=25919& ci_ gpa=pla& ci_kw={keyword}& gclid=CJ-rsdr87LMCFe5FMgodAAIAJg
PeteB88	posted 11-26-2012 10:56 AM ET (US) Thanks - Still kickin around the idea, have a great place to keep the boat, cool dudes and price right. I really wanna get her out one more time - some jumbo perch fishing going on E end of Muskegon Lake - I wish I had more time. Thanks for the tips for sure. Jeff, Bart gave me the most awesome piece of major heavy duty canvas he used to cover the boat. Thanks to all you guys for sure! The 13 will stay here could go in my storage shed.
PeteB88	posted 11-26-2012 11:08 AM ET (US) floater - I got the shots, innovative. Thanks!
jimp	posted 11-26-2012 11:11 AM ET (US) Here in Juneau, Alaska we get up to 220" of snow each year. Shrink wrapping is roughly $350 for my 1990 Revenge 22' - W.T. so I make a cover using 2x4s. pvc piping, a HEAVY WWII canvas tent top (flat) and two large brown plastic tarps (brown is less conspicuous than blue which sheds snow very well when I scrape it off. I have to keep the boat in front of the house because the driveway is on a slope and I can't get to the backyard. Not the best, but snow plows give me a break and have been kind for the last 14 years. I strip the boat of everything I can (Juneau is in the Tongass National Forest which is also a rain forest with plenty of rain and humidity) and store it in my heated garage. I don't want mildew or "green things" growning. I always wait through the last days of September for a dry day and try to but the boat away dry. I also take my wheels off and block the trailer. This does two things: keeps the tires from getting frozen in to up to 4" of ice; and, makes me "exercise" the lug nuts twice a year. This has worked fine until last February when my State Trooper neighbor, in his State Trooper truck, on State Trooper business overshot his parking spot in the ice and snow and knocked the boat/trailer off the blocks and did $3,500 worth of damage to the engine cowlings. The State mailed me a check and all was fixed. http://smg.beta.photobucket.com/user/jimp/library/Kelsey%20J/ Winter%20Covers
Treypescatorie	posted 11-26-2012 07:54 PM ET (US) I have a 21 foot Conquest. I use electrical conduit pvc ( make it into an arch) and I clamp it on by the bow rail with 2 hose clamps on each side, then I use two more pieces that I put into the rod holders. I take a galvanized pipe with a closet flange and I stick it in where the optional ski pylon goes. Then I run a rope from the bow rail and I tie it around the pvc, working my way to the stern and tying it to the closet flange.Then I take two more pieces of rope going from the closet flange to each cleat by the stern. I tie foam over the closet flange and over the anchor guide to prevent the tarp from tearing. My wife made me a big sock that I slip over the engine cover (to prevent chafing the cover)I use a blue tarp and secure it with bungee cords around the belly of the boat. Use as many bungee cords as needed so the tarp does not flap around in the wind. It works nice for me and the pvc poles are easy to store verses a frame.
Buckda	posted 11-26-2012 08:30 PM ET (US) Pete - Just suck it up and store her in that beautiful boat storage condo/man cave facility. But if you can't or won't....then don't cheap out and buy the blue tarp. Go to TSC and the only two tarps you want to look at are the black ones or the brown ones. I got lucky a few weeks ago, I found a very large, very heavy duty tarp alongside a state highway that had fallen off a flatbed truck. It had a bit of grease and rust on it, but we cleaned it up and it is a great addition to my collection of crap that I seem to drag around the country with me. :) Dave
PeteB88	posted 11-26-2012 09:40 PM ET (US) I have no problem taking it to the storage place in MKG but it's here and I thought maybe I'd just leave her here this time. If I thought about the cost I could buy something for it. One thing I've been planning is to have the boat taken off the trailer and boat storage guys were going to help me work on it and fix up a few things and maybe paint it before next season. That is serious advantage of the place I use. I'd like to budget for new trailer but we'll have to see how those receivables are going to go. Dave, I am impressed with Road Salvage example - now you're talkin like a kid whose dad came from the Old Country and made us pound nails straight and put them in a coffee can. Reuse started a lonnnnnnggggg time ago.
PeteB88	posted 11-26-2012 10:27 PM ET (US) Dave - It's not in the supremo condo anymore - that would be a no brainer and for the cost. Tom and Greg moved the Tiara to Mart Dock. My boat stays w/ Dale's Outrage on the po side of town.