Outdoor Storage Options for Boat

[DesignXception]

For those of you who have to store your boat outside what do you do to protect it from the elements (sun. mositure, etc.) when garage storage is not an option? I'm curious what type of covers do you use and how do you ensure good ventilation. Do you layer covers/tarps? Do you leave your storage hatches opened? How do you struggle/deal with drying the boat out if it gets wet before you cover it during periods of rainy days. My previous boats all fit inside my garage so outdoor storage was no issue before but its really frustrating me now. Thanks.

[Chopper]

I feel your pain. Having a 21ft boat is great as far as fishing is concerned but it kills me to have to leave my boat outside. I work away from home and only get to use my boat about once every three months so I'm very careful about how i cover it up. To start with, I have an old cover that is about torn up, but i put it on first. Then i put on a newer cover that is in good shape (almost new) and pull it down tight. Then i cover it with two huge tarps. They come together in the middle and i tie them together there and they are large enough to cover the Fenders and tires. My fenders are fiberglass so I want them covered and if you don't keep the tires out of the sun they will dry rot in no time.

I have never put my boat up with the carpet wet so I can't offer any advice there. I don't worry too much about ventilation. Don't seem to be a problem, or not that I can tell. One other tip that I got from the BBC here a long time ago is that if you have a problem with rats, roaches, snakes or even cats getting in your boat, take one of those aluminum or aluminum foil pie plates and cover the bottom with moth balls. Put that under the cover and you will not have any unwanted visitors. The mothball smell goes away when you take the cover off.

I'd love to have a shed to keep my boat under but so far I haven't been able to part with 15-20K$ for one. Maybe later......

[BassinBarrister]

Outdoor storage is very hard on a boat - mold, tires dried out by the sun, covers leaking.... I'd try to figure out something indoors. Your boat will appreciate it in the long run.