Extended Storage

[ConnBoater]

My boat didn't make it in the water this year. It is still on the trailer beside my driveway

I have a 2000 Four Winns 235 Sundowner with VP 5.0 DP

I had the boat winterized last year including engine oil, fuel stabilizer (near full tank) and gear lube. I also shot some fogger in the spark plug holes and turned the tires a couple of times

The boat was covered well this past Winter. I am using the "dry time" this Summer to address some upgrades.

Are there any issues I should be aware of this Fall for another New England Winter?

My driveway slopes a bit upward toward my house. With the tongue jack fully raised the boat still sits a bit bow down. Any suggestions on jacking it higher?

Thank you for your help.

 

[lucky7]

Re: Extended Storage

i would drain all the gas i could and burn it in my truck..

 

[security6]

Re: Extended Storage

I think you'll be fine. I bought a boat that sat on the dealers lot for over 1.5 years (consignment boat) until I came along with my low-ball offer. I was nervous when we (dealer and I) went to start it for the first time in over 1.5 years. I put a new battery in it and the thing fired up in less than 2 seconds. I couldn't believe it. The boat had been properly winterized (by the dealer) previously, including treating the fuel in the full tank. I burned through the entire tank with no problems.

I also have a driveway that slopes down, and here is what I do. I jack the boat up as far as I can get it using the trailer jack, then I put two jackstands under the trailer. I raise the tongue-jack so I can get a couple boards under it, and then raise the trailer some more. I then raise the jackstands and raise the tongue-jack so the trailer is resting on the jackstands. When I'm done, the tongue is probably 3.5 feet above the driveway, but the bow is higher than the stern. I like having it on jackstands because the tongue-jack seems wobbly to me when it is really extended and/or on boards.

 

[ConnBoater]

Re: Extended Storage

Thank you for your help.

Security, where do you locate the jack stands for the tongue? How tall are your jackstands? I also get nervous about the wobbly feel of the tongue jack when I am in the cuddy.

You think the gas will be OK for that amount of time? Can anyone else confirm that?

I would follow Lucky7's advice, but I'm afraid his truck is too far away.

Thanks again.

 

[security6]

Re: Extended Storage

I'm not exactly sure, but I would guess that fully extended my jack stands are 15" or so. They aren't anything special, just the run of the mill Wal-mart auto jack stands. I put them between one-third and half-way between the tongue and the front axle of the trailer, one on each side. I have a trailer cross-member that is nearby. When the weight of the trailer goes onto the jack stands, I can hear the front of the boat shift slightly on the bow roller. Makes sense I guess, given that the front 1/3 of the trailer is now cantilevered. I know the trailer can handle it, and the trailer still gives the boat almost (figure the trailer deflects a little) the same support.

I looked at the sta-bil website and they say if you double the dose, you can keep gas fresh for 2 years. Like I said, I know for a fact that my boat was not run between November 2008 (winterization tag) and April, 2010. I suspect it wasn't run much before November 2008 too. I had 0 issues running through that gas.

 

[ConnBoater]

Re: Extended Storage

Short update.
I raised the bow by using 4" x 6" lumber assembled in a Lincoln Log fashion. I had Home Depot cut the lumber in 2' lengths. I needed 4, 8ft lengths ($16.00 each no charge for the cutting). I built the stack directly under the winch and bow hook, just aft of the tongue. I was careful not to pinch the break lines.

The boat is very stable (much better than when on the tongue jack), and I got the bow up to the correct height.

I am still not sure if I should do what Security recommends and add more stabilizer to the gas, or syphon it out and use it in my car, lawnmower, etc..

Would anyone else like to weigh in?

Thanks

 

[sasto]

Re: Extended Storage

I'm not giving advice.... but... I just ran a boat that has had the fuel in it for 3 years with double Sta-Bil and she ran through 70 galllons just fine. If I were to take advice, it would be lucky7's.