Storing your boat for the winter months is essential for helping to minimize wear and tear on the boat. However, it can be common for new boat owners to be fairly unsure of the steps that must be taken to properly prepare a boat for storage. To this end, you should consider these three tips to keep your boat safe from some common problems that can arise during storage.

Use A Fuel Stabilizer

Over time, the fuel that is in the tank will start to degrade. When this occurs, it is possible for the fuel to form clumps that can cause the fuel intakes to become clogged. To help you avoid this problem, you should always add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. This stabilizer will greatly prolong the life of the fuel so as to avoid this problem, but you will want to ensure that you only use a stabilizer that is designed for use in marine engines.

Thoroughly Wash The Boat's Exterior

Over the course of time, it is possible for dirt, salts and other substances to start accumulating on the exterior of your boat. While this may not seem like a serious problem, it can create a number of challenges for the boat's exterior. For example, these substances can degrade the paint and the exterior paneling. To avoid needing to have your boat painted after being stored, you will want to thoroughly wash the boat to remove these substances. After you have cleaned the exterior, you should apply a protective finish to the boat to further enhance its protection.

Remove The Battery

While being stored, it is possible for the battery to degrade and lose its ability to hold a charge. To help avoid finding yourself dealing with a dead battery when you are trying to use the boat for the first time, you should always remove the battery when storing the boat. By removing the battery and storing it inside, you will likely be able to simply recharge it and put it back in the boat the next spring. After you have removed the battery, you should clean the connection terminals as calcium deposits can start to form, as this may inhibit the battery's effectiveness. To clean the battery, you should use a wire brush to vigorously scrub the terminals until you have removed any visible calcium deposits. If you find that there are some deposits that you are having difficulty removing, you can add a mixture of water and baking soda to the terminals to loosen these deposits.

For more information, contact professionals like Sentry Mini-Storage Inc.