Winter Storage Question

[Bob]

What does everyone do for the winter as far as leaving anything on their boat? (dry storage in the chilly Midwest)Last year, we took EVERYTHING off and stored it. Would it hurt to leave the cushions in or will the damp air just create a breeding ground for mold and mildew?Not too worried about break-ins where we store.Your comments?

 

[Steve Dion]

Wrap them in plastic and store in the garage.

Bob:We have had mildew problems out in the west before too. My sugggestion is to take them home and wrap them up in some of that plastic that you use from drop cloths for painting. Put them in the rafters in the garage or store in someones attic etc.If you had electric service to the boat in the winter you could use some of the golden rods and some of those air driers you may be okay leaving the cushions. This will also help protect the any other fabric in the interior.

 

[David Foster]

Empty the cabin except for gear

All the living stuff goes up on the rafters. The boom and other boat gear stays in the cabin with four cans of dessicant.. Of course, we winterize, since Lady Lillie stays on the hard on Lake Erie.DavidLady Lillie'77 h27

 

[Ed Schenck]

Twenty-plus years on the boat.

There's not enough van or rafter space to handle the cushions from my H37C. We set them on edge and use lots of dessicant(calcium chloride) on the boat. Throughout the winter I am working in the boat at least once a month and find no moisture. And no spiders! The boat is covered but loosely. We scrub them and put them up on deck first nice day in the Spring.