We are thinking of leaving our boat on land (it is currently for sale) after we have done our usual winterizing. We wonder if there are long term considerations re the engine, batts and other working systems. We do not want to damage anything during this time. We are probably going to continue the battery charging that we usually do over the winter but also wonder if we should just plan to buy new batts when the boat is sold. Is there anything else that we should do for the boat's long term care?
long term storage on land
- Thread starter Lynn Greer
- Start date
1. Hang moisture bags
2. Moth balls in storage compartments to keep wasps and other animals out.
3. Gallon of bleach in each water tank, fill tank, let sit for a week then drain and winterize to prevent mold.
4. Lightly spay engine with wd-40 to prevent rust
5. Change oil, trans fluid, and antifreeze to eliminate any acids.
6. If possible get some oil on top of pistons.
7. Plug air intake and exhaust.
8. If possible solar fan and vent cabin
9. Put a couple of 5 lb bags of charcoal around the cabin to absorb any odors "note" don't use charcoal with lighter fluid in it, just use regular charcoal. This works better then kitty litter.
10. Open all cabinet doors and storage compartments to allow good ventilation. And stand cushions on their edge.
2. Moth balls in storage compartments to keep wasps and other animals out.
3. Gallon of bleach in each water tank, fill tank, let sit for a week then drain and winterize to prevent mold.
4. Lightly spay engine with wd-40 to prevent rust
5. Change oil, trans fluid, and antifreeze to eliminate any acids.
6. If possible get some oil on top of pistons.
7. Plug air intake and exhaust.
8. If possible solar fan and vent cabin
9. Put a couple of 5 lb bags of charcoal around the cabin to absorb any odors "note" don't use charcoal with lighter fluid in it, just use regular charcoal. This works better then kitty litter.
10. Open all cabinet doors and storage compartments to allow good ventilation. And stand cushions on their edge.
You need to add fuel stabilizers to fuel (stabil?) and, if diesel. you need a biocide to keep plants from growing in there. If it rains a lot you might cover top of vessel with appropiate tarp. leave vents and an access doorway.
The trawler I bought sat on the hard for 22 years. The batteries were fine once charged, and the two diesels started right up and ran beautifully on 22 year old diesel fuel. You might consider removing the negative battery cable just so nothing can drain the battery.
I'm not a particularly religious person so I'm unqualified to judge but in your case, I'd say prayer must work wonders.
Hopefully it won't take long to sell. My Macgregor sold in January!. It was a miracle. She was on the trailer in the boatyard with the sails off, ready to ride out winter. The lake's ramp areas were frozen. The just before the potential buyers came down hoping for an unlikely test sail, the cove thawed. We put on the sails, launched and went out for about an hour. Then we had to close the deal and pack her up for a 300 mile trip to her new home before it got dark.
In addition to the above suggestions:
Pump out and THOROUGHLY rinse out the holding tank before winterizing the toilet. To winterize the toilet correctly, remove the flush water inlet hose from the thru-hull (might be a good idea to close the seacock first if the boat is still in the water), stick that end of it into a jug of antifreeze...flush it through to the tank.
Pump out and THOROUGHLY rinse out the holding tank before winterizing the toilet. To winterize the toilet correctly, remove the flush water inlet hose from the thru-hull (might be a good idea to close the seacock first if the boat is still in the water), stick that end of it into a jug of antifreeze...flush it through to the tank.
