Once boating season comes to an end, many owners choose to winterize their boats right at the marina. However, how do you find the best ways to protect boats in your marina? Use this list when it’s time to pack up for the season and keep your boat in good condition for the next time you take it out.
Lock Up Expensive Equipment and Belongings
Don’t entice criminals by leaving expensive fishing equipment or other important objects in clear view from the dock. If everything is locked up and put in a safe place, criminals will likely target a boat other than yours. If you can make your boat unappealing, this minimizes the risk of theft.
Investigate the Marina’s Security Measures
Choosing a suitable marina to house your boat is another crucial element in protecting it. Find a marina that uses security gates and key fob entrances to ward off criminals with sticky fingers. This will also put your mind at ease when you cannot check on your boat often.
Wrap the Boat Up
To better protect the boat against natural elements and pesky rodents, wrap the top half of your vessel with shrink wrap. This wards cold air, moisture, and sunlight from fading the interior. Whether you use shrink wrap or plastic wrap, this gives your boat the protection the interior needs.
Install Dock Bumpers
Marina’s can get wavy and knock your boat against the dock. The repetitive motion of the wave can slowly wear the sides of your boat over time. One of the best ways to protect boats in your marina is to use dock bumpers. Before departing for the season, install dock bumpers to the sides for extra protection.
Visit the Boat Often
The only way you can ensure the life of your boat is to visit it now and again while you aren’t using it. Checking the boat often allows for timely fixes and ensures everything is right where you left it. If you can’t visit your boat often, choose other security measures like alarms and cameras to check up on it occasionally.
Ease your mind while you are not using your boat with protective measures. While this is no guarantee something won’t happen to it, it doesn’t hurt to use these protocols. Using these measures could also increase the boat’s lifespan, allowing for many more seasons of use.
Adobe Image Credit: #201107183
Aerial view of amazing boats at sunset. Minimalistic landscape with boats and sea in marina bay. Top view from drone of harbor with yacht, motorboat and sailboat. Beautiful port By den-belitsky
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