Winter Storage

[evinrude2stroke]

Thanks, I'm going to use them this winter when I pull her out. Luckily I have never had to experience that kind of mini crime scene. I hope they keep ants away. I'm going to put a few in the Bimini cover this year. last spring on our maiden voyage for the season I failed to inspect the Bimini top before heading out. when we got to the middle of the lake I decided to open it up only to find an ant nest with oh I don't know....maybe 500 or more ants that rained down on me. Funny enough the wife was up front fussing with our son and didn't even see what had happened. She didn't even notice me frantically sweeping them out. If she had seen that she would never step foot in it again.

[lakerunner]

Thanks, I'm going to use them this winter when I pull her out. Luckily I have never had to experience that kind of mini crime scene. I hope they keep ants away. I'm going to put a few in the Bimini cover this year. last spring on our maiden voyage for the season I failed to inspect the Bimini top before heading out. when we got to the middle of the lake I decided to open it up only to find an ant nest with oh I don't know....maybe 500 or more ants that rained down on me. Funny enough the wife was up front fussing with our son and didn't even see what had happened. She didn't even notice me frantically sweeping them out. If she had seen that she would never step foot in it again.

Best thing for ants is TERRO bait. It is a syrupy bait that really draws them in. The feed and take it back and all die.

[curtiscapk]

Hey Curtis.... you said no critters, but I see the rear end of a critter right below the bucket of coal!

She is a critter all right.

[Lunker]

Inside - Pole building with concrete floors. Cost me $285 last year for 7 mos. About an hour from my house. Boat comes out pretty clean.

BTW, I pulled out yesterday. Here she is sitting on the driveway.

I'll winterize it in about 2 wks then toss it into storage.

[evinrude2stroke]

Thanks Loyd, I will use it. I don't want the same problem next season.

[Rhinohio]

I use moth balls in my camper. Tried the dryer sheets but the mice chewed them up and used them to build their nest. I also bait when I leave for the week. My buddy has had good success with this thing in his camper... kinda spendy but I like the odor free feature after you kill 'em:

http://mainemouse-ah.com/

I'm fortunate enough to have a pole building with a concrete floor to keep it in but never thought about the mice. I guess I'll do the moth ball thing on it as well. Can't decide whether or not to put the mooring cover on... it might not encourage tenants if it's open.

Mike

[Flanker]

I put on my mooring cover in the barn, just to keep the dust down.

I may try the fan this year, blowing out of course

[playcat]

I have the I/O winterized each year since the engine is still under warranty (last year for that). i haul her out on the scissors trailer and she sits in the yard with a lot of other boats. we put on the mooring cover that was made for the boat in 1993, but has seen better days. I will supplement with a couple of tarps, load the interior with dryer sheets and replace them at least monthly. so far, that has worked for the last 3 years.

[WoodenPontoon]

I use wholes cloves in my boat to keep mice out. I dump some in each of my storage areas and under my console. I've had no problem with mice. The cloves sure smell a lot better than moth balls.

[Lunker]

Never had any problem with mice but my trailer is so damn tall I don't expect they could get in if they wanted too

[GregF]

Trust me, rats, mice, chipmunks or squirrels can climb up into anything if they want to. I have seen a mouse scamper up painted drywall like it was a ladder.

A little speckle patched up the holes from the rat shot. The wife still wasn't happy

[Bamby]

Along with what the others have recommended I'm an advocate of removing as many features that may provide nice facilities for insects, mice, and rodents as realistically possible and store them in a safe place in the house. My way of thinking is that it's easy to remove the boot and bimini top and the canvas for the porta potti or changing room plus and side kit canvas. I mean why take any chances with such easily dealt with items and be kicking yourself in the ass next spring shelling out hundreds of dollars maybe potentially replacing what were perfectly good features on your boat .

[brianD]

Do any of you remove the canvas from the bimini when you put it up for the winter? I was thinking if i remove the canvas, and bring it inside, it won't get so dirty, and worn. too much trouble or good idea?

[Amosmoses33]

Do any of you remove the canvas from the bimini when you put it up for the winter? I was thinking if i remove the canvas, and bring it inside, it won't get so dirty, and worn. too much trouble or good idea?

I'm probably going to unhook mine and store it in the basement, frame and all.

[GregF]

My bimini top has zipper pockets that go around the tubing so it comes off real easy. I keep it in the dock box and the frame hangs from the boat lift roof.It takes about 5 minutes to put it on the boat and put on the canvas.

Most of the time we just use the redneck T top in my avatar.