Any recommendations for a good boat cover that will last?
Do you guys also cover your outboard with a different cover?
Do you guys get water in your ski locker as you’re on the lake? Since I got the boat there’ll be a few inches of water in there, when you gun it the water drains out, but when i pull the boat out at the end of the day, only a tablespoon or so of water comes out…a lot less than what was in the ski locker. Plus my automatic bilge pump never turns on (it does work). So I don’t know if this is normal? I have no clue where the water is coming from!
Any other tips for winterizing? I was planning on changing out the gear oil and putting the trailer on jack stands to take the pressure off the tires.
It never hurts to pull the lower unit drain plug loose after the unit has been sitting a week or two so that any water that might have gotten in has had a chance to settle. Just loosen it enough to get a few drops of oil. If you see any water or if the oil looks even slightly milky, drain it. I’ve seen water freeze in the lower gearboxes of both outboards and stern drives and crack them open. Megabuck repair.
I just use a good tarp that costs about $30. I use two doubled over each other, with the newest one on top. I built a simple support for the tarps consisting of two trusses about 5 feet apart and attached to each other. Also, a long support from the front truss to the bow (over the windsheld).
In several years of using this method I have never gotten water inside. Also, it holds the snow load fine, but I also clean it off each time it snows.
I slightly raise up the boat and block the axle to distribute the load off the tires.
I have an inboard, so I warm up the engine, fog with storage oil direct into the carb. Remove the impeller (volvo with impeller on front of engine) and drain the engine of all possible fresh water. Put some gas stabilizer in the fuel tank.
Sounds like everyone has said what needs to be done, all I can add, is to store you motor in the down position, unless you cover the prop hub. Water can get in the back of the hub and crack it.
Recommendation in Volvo engine handbook. Helps prevent the rubber vanes taking a set and gives you a chance to inspect for any damage/wear. I would think it is best for long storage times (like mine usually through the Winter months to about March), but not completely necessary.
It also assures that you have loosened/removed the pump face plate to allow water to drain from the pump.
**I use to get the 10mm tarps at Lowe’s. 30x20 costs about $80.00 and lasts a couple years. Brush the snow off immediately, raise the jack as high as it can go to always drain water, and remove lifejackets, lures, and anything else might be cold sensitive.
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I found a post on ksl for old vinyl billboard ads for like $65. I bet they are thicker and more durable than anything you’d buy at the store. I think I’m going to pick one up!
That is a good deal, I’ve had one for over 5 years with no problem. When I bought my first one, I paid close to $100 but it was 47 ft long and 23 ft wide. I was able to cut it up and not only cover my boat but also cover my motor home. The second one I bought was cheaper and after cutting it up, it covers a few more items like trailers that I store outside. I used those tarps that wallmart sells for years before I found these billboard tarps, I would never go back to those cheaper tarps. Do you by chance have a link to that post on KSL?
Or MOLD sensitive. Had a boat well covered - TeePee sawhorse frame to hold the tarp up. Multiple tarps - it’s stayed dry, BUT - come spring - anything and everything that was left in the boat was covered with a layer of mold. Not the end of the world, but kinda nasty all the same. Won’t do that again!
Now if I can ‘encourage’ my neighbor to not point his snowblower shoot AT my side-driveway. . . [pirate]
Thanks for the link to those tarps. That looks awesome. Now gotta figure out which would be cheaper - shipping or the gas to drive down and pickup.
If anyone up in the Cache Valley area wants to go in on an order - I’d be fully game to coop-ting the effort!