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Long Term, In-water Boat Storage in The Tropics
This is a list of the things I did to prepare Destiny for long-term (6-10 months) storage in the water at the marina in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. Some things are obviously specific to this boat and this location but most would apply to any boat being stored this way in the Tropics.
Propulsion
- Outboard
- connect flush attachment and fresh water flush while running
- using fogging oil as last thing while engine running
- disconnect fuel line and run engine until out of gas, use fogging oil
- empty carburetor fuel bowl
- empty fuel filter inside engine
- clean and grease engine
- remove spark plug, spray WD40 and replace loosely
- put on stern rail and lock - spray lock with WD40
- give away any left over gas
- Main engine
- Change oil and filter
- Fill diesel tank and use fuel stabilizer
- run engine for 10 minutes w/stabilized fuel
- Flush raw water cooling system with fresh water
- Clean engine with degreaser
- Loosen v belt
- close seacock
- spray ignition w/WD40
- plug engine exhaust
- Since it was due anyway, I also flushed the fresh water cooling system and replaced the antifreeze with fresh coolant.
- put empty jerry cans out of the sun
NOTE: These procedures were done in an area where it NEVER freezes. If it was up north, there would have been more things to do to prevent ice forming.
Plumbing
- Flush aft head with fresh water, then vinegar and cooking oil
- leave toilet as dry as possible, seal with plastic wrap
- turn off water pressure and open all taps
- drain hot water heater
- leave water tanks dry
- Close seacocks
- forward head discharge
- forward sink
- galley sink
- engine
- Aft head discharge
- Aft head intake
- aft head holding tank discharge
- port cockpit drain - leave open
- starboard cockpit drain - leave open
- run fresh water through washdown pump
- Pickle watermaker
NOTE: These procedures were done in an area where it NEVER freezes. If it was up north, there would have been more things to do to prevent ice forming.
Rigging
- take down all sails, wash/dry and put in sailbags, store below
- take down canvas not needed
- loosen rigging a little
- put plastic bag over end of boom (prevents birds from nesting inside)
- remove whatever lines are possible, clean and dry them and store in a locker
- use chafe gear on all dock lines
- put rat guards on all dock lines
- make sure boat is far enough away from dock
- consider taking down halyards and using messengers
Outfitting
- clean wood with 50/50 water/vinegar
- remove wind generator blades
- clean and cover dinghy on deck
- put silver foil over windows to prevent sun damage
- put out mildew bags/Damp rid
- clean and store all clothes
- stand cushions on end
- open any lockers possible
- take in water hose
- take in TV cable
- close all propane valves at the tank
- put up new courtesy flag
- put out fabric softener cloths
- move all possible deck equipment possible below or to storage
- clean and grease all tools
- inventory things needed to bring back
- list things to bring back from the States
- take any unnecessary papers off the boat
Electrical
- check lights that they're working-list any problems
- empty refrigerator, clean and dry and leave open
- turn off all switches except bilge pump and main breaker
- remove solar panels and store below
- start all electronics- ex. VHF, SSB, GPS, nav lights, TV and stereo 1x/month
Hull
- rinse bilge w/fresh water and pump dry
- put plastic bag over prop
- clean anchor rode of mud and growth
- have bottom cleaned 1x every 2 months
Miscellaneous
- give marina office a list of who can go onboard
- give detailed instructions of what is to be done to people watching the boat
- give friends our phone numbers or email where they can contact us
- get email and phone numbers where we can contact people who will be watchng the boat
- give ship's agent our cruising permit for renewal in 6 months
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