Like most boaters, you might be thinking about tucking your boat away now that summer is over. Thus, this post by K&K Oil and Lube in Clermont will take you through the main steps to store your boat. Read on to learn more.

As the days get colder and shorter, the off-season for boating begins. Of course, no die-hard boater enjoys putting their sailing activities on hold to winterize their boat. Yet, taking some time off is necessary to check, clean, and maintain our outboards. Keep reading this post to learn the main steps you should follow to store your boat correctly.

Get the best synthetic oil formulas for your marine engine at K&K Oil and Lube. Call them at (918) 269-0081 or browse AMSOIL's online store to place an order for the most effective synthetic oil in Clermont.

How to Store Your Boat

Remove Your Boat From the Water

The first thing to do is get your boat out of the water for towing. Performing this step is often stressful for some boaters, as any false movement can result in a bump to the ship. Still, there's nothing to worry about as long as you consider the steps and warnings outlined in your owner's manual. Also, pay attention to the following aspects:

• You will want to check the compatibility between your boat and the trailer (unless the trailer is part of your boat's standard equipment). To do so, look at the trailer's certification label, and make sure its load capacity matches the weight and size of your boat.
• Check that the trailer hitch ball is the proper size for the socket on the hitch coupler.
• Place safety chains between the trailer and your vehicle. This way, they'll keep attached in case the hitch ball disengages.

Flush the Cooling System

If your marine engine draws fresh or salt water to cool itself, use its storage best to flush its cooling system. Keep in mind that water carries sand, salt, and debris. Such particles can weaken and rust the metal found in your engine. Dirt can even build up within the engine ducts and create blockages that restrict water flow. Of course, you can avoid those issues by flushing the cooling system with treated water. To do so, refer to your owner's manual and follow its instructions for carrying out this task. Generally, a garden hose and an adapter are all it takes to drain dirt, salt, and grime effectively.

Use AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Marine Engine Oil to improve your boat's protection against rust and corrosion. Place your order for the top synthetic oil in Clermont through AMSOIL's online store or by calling K&K Oil and Lube at (918) 269-0081.

Clean the Boat

The next thing to do is to clean and dry the boat. You can start by pulling out all wet equipment to dry, including towels, cushions, bags, and rugs. Next, open all compartments and tanks to leave them clean and dry. Don't forget to remove the hull drain plugs to remove all the ducts' moisture. Next, take a microfiber towel and a hull cleaner to remove water spots and dirt outside the boat. If you want to wax it, this is the perfect moment to do it. Once your boat is completely dry, place the drain plugs back to avoid tiny bugs from crawling inside. If you can store your boat in your garage, leave your boat uncovered so that it doesn't hold moisture. Otherwise, protect it with a fitting boat cover if you have no choice but to keep it outside.

Store the Battery

Taking care of your battery is essential to ensure it will perform at its best at the start of the next boating season. To maintain it, uninstall and store it in a cool, dry place in your garage. When doing so, clean the terminals as instructed in your owner's manual. Finally, check its charge with a voltmeter before sailing again in the spring. If necessary, charge it with a battery charger and place it back in the battery compartment.

Fill the Fuel Tank

Our last recommendation is to fill your fuel tank. By containing fuel, it will have less space to store humid air, which can generate condensation and thus contaminate the fuel with water. Another vital thing to do is add a fuel stabilizer to the tank. Doing so will help keep the fluid fresh and in good condition until the start of the next boating season.

We hope this post's tips will help you store your boat correctly. Don't forget to give your marine engine the best synthetic oil change in Clermont during the off-season. Reach out to K&K Oil and Lube at (918) 269-0081 for advice on which formulas work best for your ship. You can also visit AMSOIL's online store to explore the complete range of AMSOIL oils and products.