Something that people most enjoy about the summertime is the sunshine and pleasant warmth it offers. After what might be a cold, harsh winter, people are more than eager to venture out of their homes to take in the sun and enjoy what the outdoors has to offer them.

One of the ways you might spend your summer days is out in the water on a boat, taking in the pleasant warmth that the summer sun provides.

Storing the Boat for the Winter

But as Labor Day approaches, summer is nearing its end, making way for the fall season. Now, it’s time to start bidding farewell to summer and its activities and prepare for the cooler, crisp weather of autumn. Furthermore, fall doesn’t provide you with the same enjoyable temperatures for leisurely boat rides like summer does.  Because of this, you’ll want to safely store your boat until it’s the proper time to use it again.

Proper boat storage isn’t as simple as it seems, though. Whenever water damage is involved, there’s always a chance for mold growth. The last thing you want is to take your boat out of storage next year only to discover serious mold growth.

Continue reading to learn more about boat storage preparation, boat cleaning, and how to prevent mold from growing while it’s in storage.

1. Inspect Your Boat and Make Any Necessary Repairs

Before you put your boat away for the colder seasons, take your boat out one final time. Obviously, be sure to enjoy your last boating of the season but pay attention to how it performs as well. If you run into any problems, then you should get those fixed. You don’t want to wait to resolve those issues, because the winter can worsen those problems.

2. Clean Your Boat

After your final boating of the season, it’s now time for boat cleaning. Start by unplugging your boat’s bilge drain plug so that it can empty out. Drain the seacocks and clean the thru-hulls and strainers as well. Then, move on to cleaning your boat’s hull and decks, scrubbing them thoroughly. You’ll want to get rid of all the grime, slime, barnacles, and other dirt from your boat that has accumulated during your trips throughout the summer. You don’t want to return to it next summer only to discover it’s filthy.

The same goes for the boat’s interior, so clean that well, too. If you have a refrigerator or other food storage inside the boat, make sure all food is thrown out so that nothing rots and spoils during the winter. Otherwise, you’ll be left with a mess to clean when you return to your boat next summer.

3. Keep the Boat Dry

When you’re done cleaning the boat, make sure it’s dried thoroughly and remains as dry as possible. You don’t want any moisture to remain or be trapped, because it can encourage mildew or mold growth.

To assist in keeping the boat dry, consider using a fan and/or desiccants. A fan (or two for bigger boats) can be kept inside the boat’s hull to promote air movement and circulation. This can help prevent mold growth.

Desiccants are a drying agent, so it will absorb any moisture and help with mold prevention efforts. An example of a desiccant is silica gel, which can often be found packed within a shoebox when you buy a new pair of sneakers or a new backpack.

4. Conduct Proper Maintenance

Before the cold weather arrives, there are several maintenance tasks you’ll want to do. For one, put fresh oil in the boat. During the summer, water or acid may have gotten into the oil and it can corrode the boat’s engine.

You should also change the antifreeze because it will help prevent engine parts from becoming frozen or corroded during the cold winter months. To protect your engine, apply fogging oil on the carburetor or in the spark plugs.

5. Wax and Cover the Boat

When you’re done cleaning your boat, take the time to wax it. Not only does it leave the boat looking nice, but the wax also prevents it from rusting and corroding. Covering the boat will keep it from getting dusty and harmed. A ventilated cover is recommended, especially if you’re going to use a fan for the boat, because it allows air to circulate.

6. Professional Boat Cleaning

With fall approaching, it’s time for boat storage. Boat cleaning is a crucial action to take before storing the boat to make sure it’s stored in a clean manner and to prevent mold growth. You don’t want to discover next summer that your boat is in poor condition and/or has mold or mildew growth.

However, given the amount of water your boat has likely seen throughout the summer, it’s very likely that mold has accumulated throughout this warm season. In the event you discover mold while cleaning you boat and need help eliminating the fungus, reach out to a professional mold removal service. Professional technicians have the proper equipment and supplies and the necessary knowledge to conduct safe, effective mold removal services.

Contact Us

In case of mold on your boat, call our business to efficiently remove mold from your property. Our technicians will eliminate all mold and replace damaged property, so the chances of mold growing back after professional removal are slim. Exposure to mold has health risks, so the safest way to remove it is by calling a professional mold removal service who have the proper equipment and cleaning products.

About Beth Markowski-Roop

Beth Markowski-Roop is an experienced and knowledgeable professional in the disaster restoration industry for over 12 years since 2012. She has a proven track record in marketing, sales, public relations, and media. Beth is an engaging public speaker and has led workshops and seminars in various industries. She has worked with ServiceMaster Restore and ServiceMaster Clean as a Business Development Manager and Field Marketing Manager, providing support to franchise owners. Beth is currently the Marketing & Sales Director for ServiceMaster By Mason, focusing on disaster restoration and floorcare services. She also works closely with hoarding clients and conducts seminars on the hoarding disorder.