The long winter might have left your boat in a tough state,
especially if it experienced strong waves and below freezing temperatures.
During the winter, boats docked in harbors and those out at sea experience a
significant amount of damage. Although your boat might be looking worn down
after a long winter there are a number of things you can do to preserve the
inside and outside and nurse your boat back to its previous health. The
Boat Owners Association of the United States
looked into ways in which boat owners can affordably restore damaged boats,
dispose of damage boats, and preserve their value after restoration. The
association offered the following guidelines:
Use Insurance
If you are thinking about purchasing a boat and believe that it
may be exposed to harsh weather then it is important that you think about
purchasing a strong insurance plan. For boaters who are already insured, then
you can notify your insurance company of a claim if your boat has been damaged
by the weather. If your boat sank or is being moved to a salvage yard, then you
want to make sure that you have approval from your insurance company. In order
to mitigate any unforeseen costs then you should take photographs or videos of
the boat before taking it in for repairs. Physical documentation will also help
in the case you decide to file a claim with your insurance company.
Listen to Instructions
If you bring your boat to a marina and see signs that indicate
that the marina is closed then you should listen to the advice. Often times,
marinas may be damaged due to fuel leaking from docked boats or other
environmental hazards. You are going to want to listen to signs or postings
about restricted access, especially since damaged or unclean marinas can injure
your boat. In areas impacted by storms there also may be debris kicked up by
moving water. If you are unsure about the safety of a marina following a storm
you should check in with officials before placing your boat in the water.
Remove Items
Another way to prevent loss and damages to your boat is to
remove any expensive items. If your boat is docked in a location where
supervision is erratic then your boat may be susceptible to vandalism or
looting. You want to make sure to dock your boat in a safe and protected place
or have a safe place to store valuables. You can also put your contact
information on the boat in case something happens and you need to be notified
by officials.
Protect Against the
Weather
Lastly, you are going to make sure you protect your boat
against damages caused by inclement weather, especially after you have gone
through a lengthy restoration process. Exposure to weather can result in broken
windows or hatches, as well as drying out the hall and damaging the paint. Make
sure that you remove all wet and damaged items and dry out any remaining parts
to preserve against spreading damages. Severe storms can cause mildew and other
mold growth, so you should make sure to cover and dry your boat after storms.
Protecting your boat against the weather is important for both new and restored
boats. Check out our blog, The Serious Boater’s Checklist for Avoiding Bad Weather for tips on how to avoid weathering the storm.
We offer a series of products that will also help protect your
boat against damages and loss. You can check out our collection of items
online
or call us toll free at 800-382-9706 for more information about our company as
well as our products.
