Do you plan to tuck your marine outboard out from the water this boating off-season? If so, keep reading this post by Ken Reaser Enterprises in Apopka for tips on how to store your boat successfully.

The boating off-season approaches. For most boaters, that means pulling their boats out from the water for winter storage. Of course, being away from the water often leads boaters to feel the off-season blues. Yet, winter storage is imperative to get their boats cleaned, inspected, serviced, and repaired. If you plan to tuck your boat away for storage during this year's off-season, you may want to get it in top shape for next spring. To that end, consider the following tips to store your boat correctly.

Extend your marine engine life by feeding it with the top-performing synthetic oil in Apopka. Call Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958 or browse AMSOIL's online store to find top-quality products for your boat maintenance.

How to Store Your Boat

Get Your Boat Out of the Water

The first step is to get your boat out of the water for trailering. This maneuver may seem intimidating if you're new to boating. After all, any ship is prone to dings and dents if handled carelessly. But don't worry; you can check your owner's manual trailering instructions to pull your boat out from the water safely. Likewise, consider the following points:

• Check the trailer's certification label to ensure its load capacity matches your boat's size and weight.
• Check that the trailer hitch ball fits into the hitch socket.
• Reinforce the attachment between the trailer and your vehicle by placing safety chains.

Flush the Cooling System

Once your boat is safely stored in your garage, flush its cooling system. Doing so is crucial to protect the engine against corrosion caused by the chemicals in the water. Remember that the cooling system takes water from the outside to dissipate the engine's heat. Yet, seawater contains sand, salt, and other chemicals that can pit and wear down the metal parts of your marine engine. Thus, it's essential to flush the cooling system when storing your boat. Review the instructions described in your operator's manual to perform this step.

Change Oil

Another essential step before storing your boat is replacing its oil and oil filter. The reason for doing this is that, during boating season, oil gets contaminated with combustion gases and other chemicals found within the engine. Plus, oil tends to mix with salt water, which can cause corrosion on the internal surfaces of the machine. Thus, storing your boat with fresh oil is best, even if it's at rest.

We hope the information in this post will help you store your boat successfully. Rely on the most effective synthetic oil change in Apopka to keep your boat in top shape for longer. Call Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order for the best lubricants and products for your marine engine.

Clean the Boat

Over time and use, your boat can become covered in salt, sand, and even invasive marine organisms. That is why you should clean it during storage. Having mentioned that, start by drying all the equipment, including life jackets, towels, and upholstery. If your boat has compartments, clean them and keep them open for ventilation. Next, remove drain plugs to drain any remaining water from the bilge. Then, wash and wax the boat's hull to remove water spots and vegetation from the surface. Finally, store your boat inside your garage to keep it as ventilated as possible.

Store the Battery

Taking care of your marine battery is imperative during the storage of your boat. After all, this device supplies power to your entire ship, including the audio system, lighting, bilge, and pump. To store it, uninstall it from the engine and place it in a dark, dry area in your home or garage. If possible, get a voltmeter to check its charge once a month. If it becomes discharged, use a battery charger to recharge it. Finally, follow your manual's instructions and safety precautions for cleaning the battery terminals. Keeping them clean will help prevent corrosion from forming around them.

Fill the Fuel Tank

Last but not least, fill your boat's fuel tank before storing it. That will help keep the tank free of moisture, condensation, and water. Also, add a fuel stabilizer to the tank to keep the fluid in perfect condition while the marine engine is at rest.

Keep your marine engine running smoothly for longer by feeding it with reliable formulas like AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Marine Engine Oil. Get this and other top-quality lubricants by placing your order at AMSOIL's online store. Don't forget to call Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958 to learn more about the most effective synthetic oil in Apopka.