Phone:
(701)814-6992
Physical address:
6296 Donnelly Plaza
Ratkeville, Bahamas.
Aluminum Boat Storage & Weather Protection
Most fishing boats spend considerably more time sitting than fishing.
That makes storage part of boat maintenance.
Rain, standing water, trapped moisture, sunlight, heat, vegetation and long periods of inactivity can take a toll on an aluminum fishing boat and the equipment installed on it.
The good news is that aluminum boats don’t require complicated storage procedures for normal use.
The Tin Can Boat Works Aluminum Boat Storage & Weather Protection Guide covers practical ways to protect an aluminum jon boat or V-hull between fishing trips and during longer periods of storage.
The basic idea is simple:
Keep water out. Let trapped water escape. Allow the boat to breathe. Protect the equipment.
Jump To:
Quick Storage | Drainage & Moisture | Boat Covers | Sun & Weather | Batteries | Fuel & Outboard | Electronics & Gear | Long-Term Storage | Returning to Service
Quick Boat Storage
After a normal fishing trip, a few simple habits can make a big difference.
Before leaving the boat stored:
- Remove trash and leftover bait
- Remove wet equipment
- Drain livewells and coolers
- Check the bilge
- Allow compartments to dry
- Remove the drain plug when appropriate
- Store the boat so water can drain
- Recharge batteries
- Protect electronics
- Secure loose equipment
- Ventilate the boat
- Properly support the cover if one is used
- Check that the trailer is securely parked
You don’t need to prepare the boat for a six-month layup every time you come home from fishing.
You do need to avoid parking it wet, covering it tightly and forgetting about it.
Drainage & Moisture Control
Water inside a boat isn’t automatically a problem.
Water that remains trapped inside a boat can become one.
Standing moisture can contribute to:
- Corrosion
- Mildew
- Odors
- Deteriorated flooring
- Damaged upholstery
- Electrical corrosion
- Waterlogged equipment
Store the Boat So It Can Drain
When practical, position the boat so water naturally moves toward its designed drainage points.
The exact position depends on the boat and trailer.
Make sure water isn’t collecting because the boat is sitting at the wrong angle.
Keep Drainage Paths Clear
Inspect:
- Bilge areas
- Drain openings
- Deck drains
- Livewell drains
- Compartments
Leaves, fishing line, vegetation and other debris can block surprisingly small drainage openings.
Drain Plug During Storage
For many trailer-stored boats, removing the drain plug during storage helps prevent rainwater from accumulating.
Whether that’s appropriate depends on the particular boat and storage arrangement.
If you remove it, develop a consistent place to keep it.
A good storage system shouldn’t create a bad launch-day problem.
One option is keeping the plug attached or stored somewhere that requires you to physically encounter it while preparing the boat.
The drain plug is considerably more useful when it makes the trip to the ramp with you.
Open Wet Compartments
If a compartment is wet, allowing it to ventilate can help moisture escape.
Pay particular attention to:
- Bilge areas
- Livewells
- Storage compartments
- Battery compartments
- Areas containing wet ropes or life jackets
Don’t seal moisture inside simply because the boat looks neater with every hatch closed.
Future Resource: Preventing Moisture & Mildew in a Stored Boat →
Boat Covers
A good cover can protect a fishing boat from:
- Rain
- Sun
- Leaves
- Bird droppings
- Dirt
- Tree debris
- Other environmental exposure
But a cover needs to be used correctly.
Keep Water From Pooling
A cover should be adequately supported so rainwater doesn’t collect in large pockets.
Standing water adds weight and can stretch or damage the cover.
Eventually, that water may find its way into the boat.
Use appropriate:
- Cover supports
- Poles
- Bows
- Straps
The goal is to create enough slope for water to shed.
Don’t Create a Moisture Trap
A completely sealed boat isn’t necessarily a dry boat.
Moisture already inside can become trapped underneath a poorly ventilated cover.
That can encourage:
- Mildew
- Odors
- Condensation
- Corrosion
Allow appropriate ventilation while still protecting the boat from weather.
Secure the Cover Properly
A loose cover can flap in the wind.
Repeated movement can:
- Damage the cover
- Rub against painted surfaces
- Damage equipment
- Allow water inside
Secure it according to the cover manufacturer’s instructions.
Be Careful With Tarps
A basic tarp can provide temporary protection, but it needs to be supported and secured correctly.
A tarp thrown flat across the boat can quickly become a rainwater collection system.
If using one, create enough slope to shed water and prevent excessive movement.
Future Resource: Choosing & Using a Cover for an Aluminum Boat →
Sun & Weather Protection
Florida fishing boats see plenty of sunshine.
Sunlight and heat can affect much more than the aluminum hull.
UV exposure can gradually deteriorate:
- Seats
- Vinyl
- EVA foam
- Carpet
- Plastic components
- Wiring
- Trolling-motor components
- Electronics
- Covers
Shade Helps
Covered storage, a carport or another appropriate shaded location can reduce long-term exposure.
That’s especially useful for boats stored outside year-round.
Don’t Forget Heat
Covered boats can become extremely hot.
Heat combined with trapped moisture creates an environment that’s particularly unfriendly to upholstery, electronics and stored gear.
Ventilation remains important.
Inspect After Severe Weather
After strong winds or storms, check the boat rather than assuming everything stayed where you left it.
Look for:
- Cover damage
- Standing water
- Fallen branches
- Debris
- Shifted equipment
- Trailer movement
- Water inside the hull
Catching a damaged cover shortly after a storm is much better than discovering the problem several weeks later.
Battery Storage
Batteries deserve attention even when the boat isn’t being used.
A battery sitting in a boat isn’t necessarily doing nothing.
Depending on the system, small electrical loads may continue to draw power.
Recharge After Fishing
Recharge batteries according to the battery and charger manufacturers’ recommendations.
That may include:
- Starting battery
- Trolling-motor batteries
- Electronics battery
- Other house batteries
Avoid repeatedly leaving discharged batteries sitting for extended periods.
Use the Correct Charger
Charging requirements vary by battery chemistry.
Your boat may use:
- Flooded lead-acid
- AGM
- Lithium
Use a charger compatible with the particular battery.
Don’t assume one charging method is appropriate for every battery installed in the boat.
Disconnect Loads When Appropriate
If the boat has a properly installed master battery switch, use it as intended.
Understand whether any equipment remains powered even when the main switch is off.
Examples can include equipment wired directly to a battery.
Inspect Battery Compartments
Storage is a good time to look for:
- Corrosion
- Loose terminals
- Damaged cables
- Moisture
- Poor battery restraint
- Unusual swelling or damage
Follow the battery manufacturer’s instructions for long-term storage and charging.
Explore Boat Battery & Electrical System Care →
Fuel & Outboard Storage
Outboard storage procedures depend heavily on the engine.
A boat that will sit for a week doesn’t necessarily require the same preparation as one that will sit for several months.
Follow the Engine Manufacturer’s Procedure
Long-term storage may involve attention to:
- Fuel
- Fuel stabilization
- Engine oil
- Gear lubricant
- Cooling system
- Lubrication
- Battery
- Corrosion protection
- Engine position
The exact procedure varies by engine.
Follow the owner’s manual for your particular outboard.
Fuel Doesn’t Improve With Age
If the boat may sit for an extended period, plan for the fuel rather than forgetting about it.
Follow the engine and fuel-system manufacturer’s recommendations concerning:
- Fuel storage
- Stabilizers
- Tank level
- Ethanol
- Portable tanks
- Fuel lines
Portable Fuel Tanks
When storing portable tanks, follow the tank and engine manufacturer’s instructions and applicable safety requirements.
Keep fuel away from:
- Ignition sources
- Excessive heat
- Improperly ventilated spaces
Inspect tanks, hoses and fittings before returning them to service.
Outboard Position
Store the outboard in the position recommended by its manufacturer.
For many outboards, position can affect drainage and storage.
Don’t assume the same position is appropriate for every engine or situation.
Electronics, Trolling Motors & Fishing Gear
Electronics may remain installed on the boat during normal storage, but they still deserve protection.
Electronics
Follow the equipment manufacturer’s storage recommendations.
Depending on the installation, consider:
- Protective covers
- Removing portable displays
- Keeping connectors dry
- Inspecting wiring
- Protecting equipment from extreme exposure
Don’t trap wet electronics underneath a cover and assume the cover solved the moisture problem.
Trolling Motors
Before storage:
- Inspect the propeller
- Check for fishing line
- Inspect wiring
- Check plugs and connectors
- Inspect the mount
- Make sure the motor is secured
After saltwater use, follow the trolling-motor manufacturer’s cleaning and corrosion-prevention recommendations.
Fishing Gear
Don’t overlook what’s stored inside the boat.
Remove or inspect:
- Wet life jackets
- Wet rope
- Food
- Bait
- Fish
- Damp clothing
- Open drinks
- Trash
A forgotten sandwich can become a surprisingly important part of the boat’s ecosystem after a few weeks in Florida heat.
Soft Plastics
Store fishing lures appropriately.
Some soft-plastic materials can react with:
- Other plastics
- Painted surfaces
- Vinyl
- Certain storage materials
Keep them properly contained rather than leaving loose baits sitting on boat surfaces.
Future Resource: Storing Boat Electronics & Fishing Equipment →
Long-Term Boat Storage
If the boat won’t be used for an extended period, perform a more thorough inspection and preparation.
Hull
Inspect:
- Hull
- Rivets or welds
- Transom
- Drain
- Hardware
- Corrosion
- Existing damage
It’s better to discover a developing problem before storage than after several months of inactivity.
Clean the Boat
Remove:
- Fish residue
- Mud
- Salt
- Vegetation
- Trash
- Bait
- Other contaminants
Allow the boat to dry thoroughly.
Batteries
Prepare batteries according to their manufacturers’ storage recommendations.
Consider:
- State of charge
- Charger requirements
- Disconnecting loads
- Periodic monitoring
- Storage temperature
Outboard
Follow the manufacturer’s long-term storage procedure.
Fuel
Prepare the fuel system according to the engine manufacturer’s recommendations.
Protect Against Pests
Stored boats can become attractive shelter for:
- Insects
- Rodents
- Other animals
Avoid leaving food or bait inside.
Periodically inspect storage compartments, wiring and upholstery.
Don’t block ventilation or exhaust openings in ways that create another safety or maintenance problem.
Don’t Forget the Trailer
Storage doesn’t stop at the boat.
If the boat sits on a trailer, the trailer is spending exactly as much time outside as the boat is.
During storage:
- Maintain tire pressure
- Inspect tires for deterioration
- Watch for corrosion
- Keep the jack stable
- Check the coupler
- Inspect springs
- Check hubs
- Keep drainage areas clear
If the trailer is parked on soft ground for long periods, periodically check that it remains stable and properly supported.
Explore Boat Trailer Care & Maintenance →
↑ Back to Storage Menu
Check the Boat While It’s Stored
Long-term storage shouldn’t necessarily mean abandoning the boat until the next fishing season.
Periodically take a look.
Check for:
- Water accumulation
- Cover problems
- Battery condition
- Corrosion
- Mildew
- Pest activity
- Tire condition
- Storm damage
- Unexpected electrical loads
This is particularly important for boats stored outdoors.
A problem caught after a week may be minor.
The same problem ignored for six months may not be.
↑ Back to Storage Menu
Future Resource: Long-Term Aluminum Boat Storage Checklist →
Returning the Boat to Service
A boat coming out of extended storage deserves more than removing the cover and heading directly to the ramp.
Perform a complete inspection.
Boat
Check:
- Drain plug
- Hull
- Transom
- Compartments
- Bilge
- Safety equipment
Outboard
Check:
- Fuel system
- Oil where applicable
- Propeller
- Cooling system
- Steering
- Controls
- Battery
- General operation
Follow manufacturer procedures for returning the engine to service.
Electrical System
Test:
- Batteries
- Navigation lights
- Bilge pump
- Trolling motor
- Fish finder
- Other electrical equipment
Trailer
Check:
- Tire pressure
- Tire condition
- Lug nuts
- Hubs
- Bearings
- Coupler
- Chains
- Winch
- Lights
Safety Equipment
Confirm required and appropriate safety equipment is aboard and serviceable.
Then use the regular Pre-Launch Checklist before the first trip.
View the Aluminum Fishing Boat Pre-Launch Checklist →
Storage Should Make the Next Trip Easier
Good boat storage isn’t about wrapping the boat up and forgetting about it.
It’s about leaving the boat in a condition that makes the next fishing trip easier.
Let the water drain.
Let wet areas dry.
Protect the boat from weather.
Keep batteries maintained.
Take care of the fuel and outboard.
Protect the electronics.
Check the trailer.
And every once in a while, pull the cover back and make sure everything still looks the way you left it.
A fishing boat should spend its storage time waiting for the next trip—not quietly developing the problems that cancel it.
Tin Can Boat Works
Small Boats. Serious Fishing.