Winterizing

vyborny1

Hi all, 

I hate to bring this up, but it is time for me to start to think about how I am going to winterize the boat. 

I have recently purchase a 2002 342FV with 6.2 Bravo III's. I had a 242FV that was on a trailer, so when it was that time to lay it up for the winter, I would pull it over to the local marina & they would do all what is needed & all of the preventative maintenance. Then they would call & I would pull it back to the storage lot & cover it with tarps.

So now, I am no longer a trailer boater, things are going to be a little different. My options at my marina (Venetian in Sandusky, OH) are as follows:

1. Cold outdoor storage, everything is ala carte, i.e. powerwash bottom, engines, water systems, pull the batteries stands, plastic wrap.

2. Cold indoor storage, same as above except, do not need to wrap.

3. Heated indoor storage, price includes everything, you tell them to pull the boat, they drain the water system, stabilize the fuel, powerwash the bottom, put it on jacks.

My question is, what does everyone else do, pro's & con's.
Cold outdoor is the cheapest, cold indoor is not much more, heated indoor is the most expensive

Thanks  in advance       

Handymans342

What if the heat failed?

vyborny1

1st question I asked, they have back-up power, never had an issue. 

Handymans342

I would have to see the cost difference between heated and cold indoor. Will they let you work on your boat while inside?

MDboater

I had a Sea Ray Sundeck on a trailer and for the first 2 years of ownership I kept it in a heated garage (I winterized anyway).  The owner used the garage mostly to rent to classic car owners and for some of his own vehicles but had some unused space.  He charged me about $300 for 6 months Nov-Apr (yes, $50 per month).  It was awesome.  I was almost worried that the boat was too dry.  Sadly, he sold the garage and I had to go with marina storage.  I stored in on a rack one year and on the trailer in the building with the boat racks another.  That was a cheaper option by far than storing it on a trailer outside at a marina and shrink wrapping.  

zaverin1

I would say cold covered
thats what i do
makes working on the boat in the off season a breeze.
come spring u can detail and clean in any weather.

Liberty44140

Agree, this is my first winter with a boat that I can't trailer home and I am going cold indoor. As you noted it is much, much cheaper than heated and very little more than outdoor with shrink wrap. 

vyborny1

Thanks for the replies, as good as it sounds to have it heated indoors, it looks to be about $800 more. I think i am leaning to go cold indoors.  The marina is having an early bird sign up this weekend, so I will get actual prices for everything.  Another question, is there any concern for condensation on inside storage.   

Handymans342

Not in the cold

Michael T

Yes, even cold inside strage will cause rust in the engine bay and mldeww in the cockpit and cabin. This happens with temperature swings in the Spring. Use Damprid or similar product in all areas.

Bayrunner

I bought mine cruiser last year and did my own winterizing after viewing these YouTube views.  It was really easy.  https://www.youtube.com/user/liboatersclub

rasbury

what are you going to do @Handymans342 for the winter? Ready to start poking at them yet or is it to soon?

Handymans342

Im just worried about this possible hurricane Ras

Michael T

.....and the season is here!

rasbury

Well, all kidding aside, you need to have a real solid plan...no idea what that would be. If you have gotten to know the area, upper and lower captiva used to be captiva! During Charlie, upper captiva was under3' of water, no idea what the storm surge was inland. We did not consider anything we could not haul. I'm 45 miles inland and kind of a high area for this area. Our threats are more tornado. We had est 135 out of 3 hurricanes within 6 weeks. Sure got tired of putting my fence back up. This is the active time of year.

Dream_Inn

That is really great rates Al!  I'm sure you will keep the new buildings full.  I remember the days growing up in Ohio where I'd go with my neighbor to take their boat to the old mines (I believe old coal mines).  Amazing all the different things people would store down in there for the winter.  It was either dirt cheap or close to free.

What was funny was, their boat was a 1986 24' Sea Ray...being hauled by a 1977 Cadillac.  He had the equalizer hitch and electric brakes.  Sure was crazy looking back on that.

Handy/Ras, looks like something is going to come out of this storm.  Hope you all fair well.

Handymans342

Thanks Dream. It does not look like much now. Will know more tomorrow. 

vyborny1

@Alswagg, those are some really great prices, any chance you want to move to the lake erie area lol.

Here are the rates i have figured, not sure if theses are the actual prices or not, just an educated guess: 
all options include haul out & launch

Outside storage: $17.95 per linear foot (34ft) $610
Full winterization plus stands & blocks=  $890
Shrink wrap= ?? by quote

Inside cold storage: $3.90 per square foot (34x12=408sqft) $1591
Full winterization plus stands & blocks=  $890

Inside heated storage: $7.50 per square foot (34x12=408sqft) $3060

@Handymans342, is there anything you can do when the big storms come,

Handymans342

Yes, I have large ratchet tie downs and the boat is secured in the lift. Vinyl cover has to come off top. No way we flood where I am. 

raybo3

Good luck guys...

Dream_Inn

Handy, my father was in the same area as you on a canal during Hurricane Charley. Not sure I'd say no way you could flood.  The boats that made out the best were the ones that tied off to both sides of the canal and floated with the surge.  My father had his tied to his lift, kept low, allowing the boat and cradle to float up and then back down when it was done.  His setup was very similar to yours and also removed his vinyl cover. Water didn't make it up to the house, but came over the canal walls into the yards.

Handymans342

The water level here never made it over my dock In Charley. It depends where you are in the cape. 

Michael T

The news here in Fort Myers says there could be flood surges of over 20 feet given the category of hurricanes that visit this area. That would be brutal here...... You sure you're beyond reach Steve?

Handymans342

The flood surge is less where I am at and more at the beach. You should know that MT and it was nice meeting you. 

Michael T

Steve the airport at Fort Myers indicated it was 2.5 feet above sea level. Not wishing you grief but you really think a Cat5 storm surge wouldn't reach you? Heck I think it would go half way across Florida!

Handymans342

Charley was a Cat 4. My house is 13 feet above sea level. I dont even need flood insurance. MT go for a walk on the beach with an umbrella and a golf club now!

Handymans342

MT, if you drive past 5100 Estero Blvd and look under the building the water only came up 4 feet in Charley

Michael T

The Admiral won't let me have the car keys. We almost got t-boned by a red light runner s couple of days ago so now I'm walking everywhere. :-(