How Do You Store Your Boat During Winter?

The weather is still beautiful, but whether we want to believe it or not, the boating season is slowly coming to an end. There are a few weeks left that you can spend out on the water, but many people have started to get their boats ready for the winter season. If you have recently purchased a boat at the Lake of the Ozarks, you may be wondering how to store it, and what the process is like during the off-season. Iguana Boat Sales is here to answer all of your questions! The best boat dealer at the Lake of the Ozarks takes a look boat storage options, both on land and in the water for you.

Covers

Any boat that is being stored outside, whether it is on land or in water, should have a cover to protect the boat against any sort of weather. There are several different types of covers boat owners can use:

Canvas - This is a traditional method of protecting boats in the winter season. Canvas is ideal for covering boats, as it is a breathable fabric. This allows excess moisture, which could cause mildew, to escape. 

Shrink Wrap - This is a more modern technique, but has become quite popular for covering boats. Webbing is put over the boat to support a thin film of plastic. Heat from a propane gun causes the plastic to shrink tightly around the boat. Although shrink wrap is very efficient in protecting boats, they cannot be reused. Once the season is over, the film is cut off the boat. 

Plastic Tarps - Using a plastic tarp and a few pieces of wood, owners can build a temporary tent to protect their boat. The covering is kept in place by tying it to the boat. Plastic tarps allow good airflow, which can help prevent mildew. However, they are not very durable and can only last one season before needing to be replaced. In addition, the tarp or cords used to tie it down could rub against the hull causing the gel coat to chaff.

Land Storage

Dry storage - This is a great option for several types of boats such as runabouts, performance boats, pontoons, and cruisers. There are a couple of options. If it makes sense for you financially, you can opt for dry rack storage while sometimes the more economical choice is keeping it on a trailer.

Dry Rack - Most dry rack buildings are capable of storing boats up to 26'; however, some marinas have the equipment to lift and store larger boats as long as they meet the height requirements. Storage fees incur during the months your boat is stored. Many rack storage facilities offer a variety of services, such as boat wash-downs, along with winterization and shrink wrapping at the end of the year. Make sure to inquire about additional costs!

Trailer - If you're a do-it-yourself-er and storing your boat on your own property is possible, loading and storing your boat on a trailer is less expensive than paying the fees to have it stored at a marina. However, several marinas do offer on or off-site storage locations for boats on trailers and, for a monthly fee you can utilize their services. Keep in mind, when your boat is stored outside it is at the mercy of the weather.

Water Storage

There are two ways to store your boat at the dock. In or above the water. And the advantage to water storage is the early start on the spring boating season! You may have a boat lift to utilize during the offseason or in some cases, your boat might stay in the water year-round.

Boat-lifts - This option offers you the ability to store your boat high and dry yet ready for use in minutes, helping you stretch the boating season as long as possible. The disadvantage to storing on a lift at the Lake of the Ozarks is the unpredictability of our winters. Heavy snow or ice can damage the lift so it is important to make sure the lift is well maintained and used correctly.

In water - If you plan to leave your boat in the water year-round, it is recommended that you inspect your boat once a week throughout the coldest time of the year. If you store your boat at a marina there may be a de-icing system in place to ensure ice does not accumulate on your boat. With proper winterization and a cover, this is an option.

Iguana Boat Sales knows how important boats are and we want to help protect your investment through the winter. As the best boat dealership at the Lake of the Ozarks, we carry one of the largest selections of new and used boats for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks. Stop by and let us help you find the perfect boat for you and your family. 

573-355-5027

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4363 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO

Protect Your Boat This Winter With Iguana

Unfortunately, summer is winding down and it's time to start thinking about how to protect your watercraft over the winter season. Here at Iguana Boat Sales, we want to make sure protecting your investment is as easy as possible. That's why we offer boat services at the Lake of the Ozarks. Purchasing a boat is an investment, and you want to make sure you take the right steps to ensure you can enjoy all the fun you had this summer, next year. 

1. Clean it

Regular cleaning is an important part of protecting your watercraft. There are several things you can do to protect your investment from rinsing the outside of the boat to wiping down the seats. At Iguana Boat Sales, we offer boat buff and wax and detailing. If your boat needs a little more TLC, we offer bottom paint, canvas repair and vinyl repair. 

2. Cover it

One of the best ways to protect your watercraft over the winter months is to make sure it's covered. In fact, any time your boat is not being used for a period of time, it's best to have it covered. This helps protect the interior of your boat from the elements. 

3. Store it

There are several ways to store your boat during the winter season. No matter if you decide to keep your boat on land or in the water, it's important to make sure you're storing it correctly. Proper storage can help protect your boat from the elements as well as make sure it's ready for the next summer season of fun. 

Learn more about the proper way to store your boat in our blog HERE.

Winterize Services At Iguana Boat Sales

Winterizing your boat is a great way to ensure your boat will be protected all winter long. When you take your boat to Iguana Boat Sales, you don't have to worry about winterizing your boat yourself, which could leave room for error. At our Lake of the Ozarks boat service company, our expert service staff will make sure all the proper steps are taken during the winterization process, so you know your boat will be stored properly during the off-season. Schedule your appointment now before September 1 and receive 10% off! If you have purchased a boat from us within the last 2 years, don't forget to also schedule your warranty inspection. 

Our technicians are factory trained and certified to ensure great customer service. Whether you need routine maintenance or an engine rebuild, our staff will have you back on the water enjoying our beautiful lake in no time. Our staff also offers 100 plus years of experience. Not only can we service new boats but our technicians are experienced servicing boats 10+ years old. We have 4 service locations at this time, including the 1 MM, 5.5 MM, 12 MM and the Four Seasons Marina. Call 573-355-5027 Ext. 7020 to schedule your appointment today!

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4363 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO

Need To Winterize Your Boat? Let Iguana Boat Sales Help!

The leaves are changing, the weather is getting a bit chilly and boats are beginning to be taken off the water. Sadly, boating season is coming to an end. If you are thinking about taking your boat out of the water, or if you have already done it, it's a good idea to have your boat winterized soon. Winterizing your boat or PWC can help make sure it is in tip-top shape for next year's boating season. The time and effort you spend on your boat now will definitely have an impact on your boat/PWC's performance, whether that is good or bad. If you are a new boat owner, or just needing help with the winterizing process, don't worry, the best boat service company at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help! Check out these tips from Iguana Boat Sales to help make sure your boat is stored properly.  

1. Clean the inside.

Remember to remove any valuables, such as electronics, lines, PFD, fire extinguishers, flares and fenders. Open all drawers and storage areas and clean them thoroughly. Bring cushions inside to keep them from being out in the cold. If you are unable to do that, make sure they are turned up on the edge, so that air is able to circulate around them. 

2. Add stabilizer to the fuel.

Adding fuel stabilizer to the tank will help ensure that it does not spoil over the winter season. Do not drain the tank and leave the system dry, as this can cause leaks and cracks in the system that could lead to fires when you start it back up the next summer. Make sure to add fresh gas to your watercraft before adding the stabilizer, however, do not top off your tank. Leave it at about 75 percent full to leave room for the fuel to expand on a warmer day without spilling over and onto the boat.

3. Take it to Iguana Boat Sales.

When you take your boat to a Lake of the Ozarks boat service company, you don't have to worry about not winterizing your boat yourself. Doing the winterizing process yourself leaves room for error. Proper boat maintenance is the key to keeping it in running order. At Iguana Boat Sales, our expert service staff will make sure all steps in the winterization process are complete, so you know your boat will be stored properly during the off-season. the best boat maintenance company at the Lake of the Ozarks has a brand new, specialized hydraulic trailer, so we can now do haul outs up to 60 feet! 

Let Iguana Boat Sales Winterize Your Boat or PWC

Proper boat/PWC maintenance is the key to summer fun. Make sure you properly store your watercraft, so you can have lots of fun next boating season. When you take your boat to the best boat maintenance crew at the Lake of the Ozarks, you can rest assure that your watercraft will be taken care of and properly stored. If you need to schedule an appointment to winterize your watercraft, call 573-355-5027 or visit www.IguanaBoatSales.com/Service to request an appointment. 

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4363 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO

3 Reasons to Let Iguana Winterize your Boat!

Winter is almost here and if you have not already winterized your Lake of the Ozarks boat or PWC, Iguana is here to help!  The cold weather can cause problems with your boat, and freezing temperatures can rupture lines and cause engine damage. Fortunately, your #1 boat dealer in Missouri offers boat winterization services at the Lake of the Ozarks to prevent your boat from becoming damaged by cold weather. Here are some of the things we do to protect your watercraft.

1. Drain and Replace the Fresh Water System with Antifreeze.

Larger boats, like our Cruisers Yachts line, have fresh water lines that run all the fresh water on the boat. This includes the sinks, bathrooms, water heater, and waste holding tanks. If there are lines that hold water, we'll need to flush them out to prevent possible damage over the winter. Our service crew will check the boat's manual to verify which products we can use to replace the water. Generally, a non-toxic antifreeze can be used in the onboard water heater and all lines to any faucets or drains, including the bathroom. The antifreeze is used  to flush the water out of the system and help protect the water lines.

2. Remove Water from the Boat Engine.

When storing your boat for the winter, it's important to get all the water out of the engine. This includes hose lines, the engine block, and exhaust manifolds. The goal is to prevent water from freezing/expanding which can cause cracks and leaks in the components of the engine. We will flush the systems with antifreeze to protect your engine from the winter weather. Additionally, we will make sure the transmission fluid is full and also check the closed coolant system to make sure it's able to withstand the winter. Finally, we will wipe the engine down and clean it using fogging oil to keep the shine and protect the exterior of the engine.

3. Keep the Fuel Tank 75% Full.

Filling up the tank 3/4 full before you put away the boat is important for a couple different reasons. Keeping it full fills the vacuum, preventing any water from condensing in the tank. We recommend holding the tank at 75%, so the fuel has room to expand on a warmer day without spilling through the vent and all over the boat. Some boat experts believe that fuel with ethanol may spoil over the winter; they recommend adding a fuel stabilizer to prevent any issues.

Don't let the process of winterizing your boat overwhelm you! With the best boat service crew at the Lake of the Ozarks, your watercraft will be well-protected from the winter elements. Our service department will winterize ANY watercraft, from PWC to yachts. They work by appointment, so call Rick at our office today and get your boat ready for the winter at the Lake. 

573-355-5027
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