Winter Storage

(bobby_hottub) · (bobby_hottub) **Join Date: Sep 2007** 09-08-2009, 3:17 AM

Those of you with boat lifts, do you leave your boat on the lift all year or put it in dry storage during the off season? I am in Arkansas and our winters are pretty mild with the occasional dip below freezing. I usually dry store, but would love to get rid of one of my storage buildings. Any real pitfalls of storing on a lift if boat is properly winterized and covered?

Thanks.

(tj_in_kc) · (tj_in_kc) **Join Date: Jan 2008** 09-08-2009, 7:24 AM

I dry store my bu instead of keeping it on my lift at the dock.

but the only real downfalls are:
some effect of weather freezing/thawing/raining on it

forgetting something while winterizing!

lift getting an air leak and the boat dropping down into the water and you not noticing for a few days, while the boat soaks or freezes in the water...

With that said, i live on a lake and see my neighbors do it all winter all the time. Of course the ones that do, don't have boats like you and me do...

(calexan) · (calexan) **Join Date: Dec 2008** 09-08-2009, 7:40 AM

I live in AR as well and pull mine out. But like you I have a storage building that ive got plenty of room for it. I really dont think youd have much of a problem as long as your interior is conditioned well. Thats the only problem I have ever had with leaving a boat out in our mild winter. It just seems like it wears it out faster, but maybe im just crazy.

Looks like you got your boat at Stucky's as well. Beautiful boat man! If you ever make it to the dirty lake just below your home lake be sure to say hey when you see me.

(mcd) · (mcd) **Join Date: Mar 2009** 09-08-2009, 7:55 AM

We have some people in our area in Michigan that leave their boats on the hoist through the winter. The only thing that I would be concerned with (besides making sure that the boat is properly winterized) is locking the hoist in the up position so there isn't any stress on the cables or pulleys.

Good Luck

(bobby_hottub) · (bobby_hottub) **Join Date: Sep 2007** 09-08-2009, 8:14 AM

Thanks for the feedback TJ and Chance. Chance, I actually saw you a few weeks back. I was having lunch at Fisherman's Warf and you went cruising by. I recognized the boat that day from your profile picture. Very cool looking! Thanks for the compliment. We love our boat.

(acurtis_ttu) · (acurtis_ttu) **Join Date: May 2004** 09-08-2009, 10:46 AM

I'm in Texas ( Houston) , my boat (last two) has been keep on a lift for the last 4 years, no problmes. I live on the lake and my boat gets used year round on a weekly basis ( don't ride much during the winter any more but it gets used as a "water taxi" to other peoples houses.)