What should i do?

[ne7800]

ok this is my first boat so that means it's my fisrt winter. I have the option to put the boat in my in-laws barn (about a 40'x120' building) that is about stuffed to the max, or put it behind my shed with a tarp over it. my delema is if i put it in the barn there is a chance that it will get moved around to axcess other stuff in the barn, and with the out drive down i'm afraid nobody will think to raise it and it will be damaged. so what would you do?

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: What should i do?

ok this is my first boat so that means it's my fisrt winter. I have the option to put the boat in my in-laws barn (about a 40'x120' building) that is about stuffed to the max, or put it behind my shed with a tarp over it. my delema is if i put it in the barn there is a chance that it will get moved around to axcess other stuff in the barn, and with the out drive down i'm afraid nobody will think to raise it and it will be damaged. so what would you do?

Put a sign on the boat about the drive. Is the barn heated ?

 

[ne7800]

Re: What should i do?

Put a sign on the boat about the drive. Is the barn heated ?

no it's not heated it was a chicken coop at one time (they raised chicken for eggs lots and lots of chickens there used to be two of these barns but one was tore down)

 

[MrBossman]

Re: What should i do?

Inside is always better than outside. Why do they have to be moving it? And why does the outdrive have to be down? Cant you secure it UP?

 

[oops!]

Re: What should i do?

neil tha only benefit you have to gain...is no sno......

but properly tarped....its the same....

i wouldnt worry about the drive being down as much as id be worried about the prop ! the drive can be raised as soon as your sure the water is all out.

plus any .....uh....unforseen things that may come out of it.....if you can bow out of the offer gracefully.... no one will be hurt. and your boat will be just fine.....just tarp the heck out of it !

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: What should i do?

I would put a cover on it and then a tarp and leave it outside.

 

[ne7800]

Re: What should i do?

Inside is always better than outside. Why do they have to be moving it? And why does the outdrive have to be down? Cant you secure it UP?

Not sure if it would get moved just know that it could and i wouldn't be around to make sure it was done properly (nobody in that side of the family has a boat). all the post i have read say to store with the outdrive down

 

[gonefishie]

Re: What should i do?

If you can rearrange the barn so that the boat won't have to be move then you should put it in there. Even unheated barn is still better then being out in the elements, especially Michigan winter. If rearranging is not possible then you should keep it at your house, at least you can keep an eye on it. Make sure the tarp is sloped so that rain, snow, ice and whatever else can slide off without puddle up. Use tarp with dark color on one side and reflective on the other. The dark side faces out to soak up solar heat and the reflective on the inside to keep the boat interior brightly lit. I think this helped keeping the little critters out.

 

[109jb]

Re: What should i do?

Not sure if it would get moved just know that it could and i wouldn't be around to make sure it was done properly (nobody in that side of the family has a boat). all the post i have read say to store with the outdrive down

Storing with the outdrive down is so that any water that gets in it can run out. If the boat is in a building then it won't be getting water in the outdrive.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: What should i do?

Put it in the barn. If the lu has been down, the water has drained. Just slightly tilt up to give a little more clearance between the floor and skeg. A slight od angle will not hurt (set) your bellows over a season. If it does, they are due to be replaced anyway.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What should i do?

it is still best to store with lower as far down as possible, relieves stress of the outdrive bellows.

 

[scipper77]

Re: What should i do?

In a barn is an ideal place for rodents to do damage to your boat. I'm not saying this can't happen under a tarp by your shed, I'm saying that if it is in a barn it is more likely to see rodents as they like the shelter too. Also if the boat is not tarped in the barn it may be easier for them to get in.

As far as people moving the boat, put a lock on the trailer. You should have one anyway they are a CHEAP way to deter thieves.

I hope this advice helps.

I personally tarp in the winter because I know the interior will stay dry, and plan on getting a canopy to park the boat under next summer as some water makes it under my cover when it rains. To me the most important issue is keeping the floor dry.

 

[haskindm]

Re: What should i do?

I have "tarpped" my boats and I have had inside storage and there is no comparison. Inside storage wins every time. You will need to be aware of critters and take precautions to keep them out, but that is also true of outside storage. Put a tarp on it to keep the dust out and discourage kids from playing in the boat. You will find that EVERYTHING fares better when kept indoors, upholstery, the tarp itself, trailer lights, and everything else. Volunteer to help clean and arrange the barn so that the boat can be placed in an area that it will not need to be moved. A few hours of labor is more than worth the protection and peace of mind that you will have knowing the boat is indoors. You do not need to worry about the tarp leaking or being blown off, or torn in high winds. You don't have to worry about puddles forming in the tarp and leaking into the boat or tearing the tarp.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What should i do?

Storing with the outdrive is done for TWO reasons. 1) was the water issue previously mentioned but the other, and more important reason 2) is that the bellows can take a set after long term storage in a "bent" position. Best to store it down so the bellows is straight. Storing a boat in a barn also means an abundance of rodents that like to chew on wires, rubber, upholstery and anything else that they feel makes a good home or lunch. Dryer sheets, moth balls, mouse bait, and any other methods need to be used to keep these little devils out of your boat.

 

[ne7800]

Re: What should i do?

I was just talking to my mom about this and she suggested i put it in Bagger Dave's barn (a friend of the family "bagger" is his nickname because he rides a full dresser Harley and some people call them baggers) now let me say this would be the ideal situation 20 years ago it was a hog barn but now it is more of a garage (not heated but dose use a portable heater somtimes in it) concreat floor, insulated, roll up doors, and lights. He uses it as a work shop for his bikes. I think i am going to talk to him about it this week