Thursday, November 28, 2013

How To Store Your Boat Properly This Winter With The Help Of St. Petersburg Marinas

By Jay Dy


Mooring a boat in Florida's temperate climate can give some owners a false sense of security. They may not prepare their vessel properly for wintertime and end up with a damaged or even sunken asset. St. Petersburg Marinas can offer owners guidance on how to store their asset correctly and so avoid considerable upset and expense.

In areas of the country that have harsh winters, keeping vessels onshore for the winter season is standard practise. In states with milder winters, the in-water vs. Onshore issue is really down to personal choice. Many choose to keep their vessels sea-bound since this makes things easier when it comes to re-commissioning.

Many owners however prefer onshore storage since this is overall the safer option. One obvious but huge advantage is that a land-stored vessel can't sink. Reclaiming a sunken vessel is a massive and expensive task which is of course best avoided. Significant numbers of craft sink each year due to thru-hulls that have been left open.

If a vessel is kept in the water, it's essential that all of its seacocks are closed to prevent water ingress. The exception being those used for cockpit drains. If there are any thru-hulls below the waterline that cannot for any reason be closed, then the vessel must be stored ashore.

When it comes to modern fiberglass hulled vessels, and additional plus for onshore storage is a reduced risk of blistering. These blemishes can establish themselves below the hull's waterline when water is able to penetrate its surface gelcoat. They can vary in size, but even smaller ones can be a costly annoyance for any proud owner.

Overall, making sure a vessel is set up for the winter months need not be a troublesome task. St. Petersburg Marinas can help owners prepare properly and make sure their vessels are safe and protected. Owners with any questions can always call upon the experienced staff for guidance.




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