How To Store Long Term?

[sixgun95]

07' Chaparral 214 Sunesta. Been trying to sell my boat but I am having no luck. With that said, I will very likely be taking a job overseas and will need to store the boat. Storage may be 5-7 years. The boat has been winterized. I am looking into indoor storage facilities at the moment. The boat is like brand new and I would like to keep it that way. So how do I do this? Any difference from just regular winter storage?

 

[Bondo]

Re: How To Store Long Term?

So how do I do this? Any difference from just regular winter storage?

Ayuh,...

A Well done Winterization will mothball it as Best as can really be done,...

If the Winterization thread down in the Adults Only sticky in the I/O- Motors forum is followed to a "T",...
You should still have a brand new boat waiting for Summerization when you return,....

Btw,... Even with Indoor storage,... Tarp it well,....

edit;
With that kinda time frame,...
I'd Completely drain the Fuel System,....

 

[slasmith1]

Re: How To Store Long Term?

I would completley drain the fuel tank because not even fuel stabilizers will work for that long. and rather than tarping consider shrink wrap with proper vents installed in it. I personally hate tarps because if not vented it locks in condensation and the dri-eze pellets wont work for that long either.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How To Store Long Term?

Even with indoor storage, be careful with tarping too tightly and don't use a plastic tarp. Unless the storage building is environmentally controlled, condensation can form on the inside of plastic tarps and even some heavy canvas. All of this of course depends on where in the country the boat will live. Moisture of any kind in long term storage can turn a boat to a pile of mold and mildew.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: How To Store Long Term?

sixgun; as no one else has brought this up, I'll throw this out there for your to consideration.
Out west rodents, mice, packrats etc are a problem in long term storage.
Make absolutely sure you have no food scraps, crumbs or anything to attract them in the first place or nesting materials such as paper towels, toilet paper, etc.
I have heard and have tried that clothes dryer sheets will repel these rodents also. Fortunately I haven't had any in my boat and there are so many different scents of them I am not able to recommend which one is best or if they work at all.
I can tell you this however I have seen boats that rodents have invaded and made nests etc. when they get done making messes the next thing they attack is the wiring. Trust me they can get into holes and corners you will have to almost disassemble your boat to both repair and clean up.