Preparing Your Yacht for the Cold Months

Yacht owners located in areas where boating is a seasonal activity, understand the importance of safeguarding their investment and its long-term usability by preparing the yacht for winter storage. Taking the right steps prior to storage will help keep your yacht in pristine condition.

One of the key considerations in yacht ownership is winter storage. The best place for your boat to be during the cold winter months is out of water and under cover in a dry and climate-controlled storage area. Docking your yacht in the water during the off-season includes the risk of damage from the elements and unpredictable weather during the harsh winter. Therefore, it is best to store your yacht in a safe dry place through the difficult winter months.

There are two options for storing your boat for the off-season; either indoor or outdoor. With the proper covering, you can easily store your yacht outside; shrink-wrapping will help keep your boat dry and well ventilated throughout the winter months. This method is less expensive than indoor storage, but requires preparation and obviously, an outdoor space that is large enough to safely keep the boat. Regardless of whether you choose indoor or outdoor storage, you should make sure and check all of the yacht safety equipment prior to storing the boat.

Another option for winter yacht storage is a heated indoor space, such as a garage or similar facility with a temperature around 50 degrees. This is a better hiring option to store your boat; however, it is more expensive than the shrink-wrap method since the storage facility will require electricity to keep the heating system running. Yacht owners will also need to find a facility large enough to house their boat which means the larger the boat, the more costly the storage fees. There are a variety of indoor storage facilities that rent space to boat and yacht owners during the winter for a seasonal or monthly fee. Many of these facilities also provide detailing and maintenance services dedicated to preparing your boat for winter storage as well as the upcoming launch again the following spring. Although this method of winter storage is more costly, indoor storage will provide the best protection against hazardous weather conditions as well as proper maintenance. This ensures your boat is safe through the winter and ready for the next season of use.