The Impact of Weather on Boats in Storage, and How to Protect Them

Hauling the boat out of the water for the end of the season doesn’t often feel good. We’d rather catch those perfect conditions year-round than see a great boat aground in a yard or storage shed, but unless you live in that ‘sweet spot’ of the world, it’s a rite of passage every year.

The trouble is, storage and lack of use isn’t good for a boat. There are many different factors working against it that you’ll want to pre-empt (as much as possible) to keep it ready for the next season.

Freeze-Thaw Damage

If you remember back to high school physics, you’ll know how damaging freeze-thaw cycles can be, even for rocks. Basically, when small amounts of water are exposed to freezing temperatures, the expansion caused by that water freezing can gradually create cracks and splits in paintwork, wood work, smaller compartments, and plastic.

Even a single season exposed to extreme temperatures can start to damage more vulnerable parts of a boat.

The only way to protect against freeze-thaw – besides moving the boat to a warm unit – is to ensure all moisture is removed from the boat before the temperature starts to drop. Draining water tanks and cooling systems, lowering the engine, and swabbing standing water are essential.

UV-Exposure

Too much sun isn’t good for us, and it isn’t good for a boat, either. While this is a problem every boat owner understands even when their boat is out on the water, it’s easy to forget how bad UV exposure can be if your boat is temporarily decommissioned – and maybe being stored out of sight, out of mind.

Prolonged sun exposure fades gel coat, dries out and cracks vinyl/upholstery, and degrades rubber seals and canvas covers, meaning by the time the season starts up again you’re left with a (literal) boatload of expensive problems to fix.

Thankfully, the solution here is a little easier than it is for freezing temperatures. You can easily buy boat paint online that protects against UV damage, along with other environmental risks like salt water and sweet water.

Moisture and Humidity

While moisture can cause problems under any circumstances, a moist and humid storage environment – particularly one that is frequently dark – can create the perfect breeding ground for mould.

This can be particularly problematic for any upholstery you have on board, along with any exposed wood, which can begin to rot fairly quickly if exposed.

Proper ventilation is key here, but so are ‘on the spot’ remedies like moisture trappers and dehumidifiers. Drying the boat fully before putting it in storage is also important, since any trapped moisture will start to fester otherwise.

Storms and Wind

High winds and storms will shift the boat on its stands, or rip through canvas and loose covers. Obviously, the ideal solution here is to keep the boat somewhere inside – dry and warm and protected against aggressive winds. Failing that, tying down covers and investing in sturdy jack stands are some of the best things you can do.