Although we have at least a couple more months of good boating weather, I have been thinking about where to keep our boat this winter. We have a 2007 Cobalt 252, which is a fairly expensive boat (at least for me). We keep it on an uncovered lift at Lake Monroe in Southern Indiana. We have a full Sunbrella cover including extra covers that hang down and protect the gelcoat on the sides of the boat from sun exposure. We do not have a trailer for the boat or a vehicle big enough to pull the boat even if we did have a trailer. Instead, we have been paying $250 (one-way) for the dealer to pick up the boat and transport it to Indianapolis for storage. Inside winter storage then costs roughly $800 after winterization. I am thinking that it might be a lot easier and cheaper to winterize the boat and leave it on the floating lift for the winter (the Hydrohoist lift is OK in the winter as long as it is in the up position). In doing so, electric power is available so I could put a marine-grade engine compartment heater in the boat just to make doubly sure that there will be no problems with freezing temperatures damaging anything. This would probably also help melt snow off the outside cover. With this as a background for anyone that might want to offer advice, does this idea make sense to avoid the time and expense of storing the boat indoors. Alternatively, other than perhaps quicker wear and tear on the boat cover, are there other pitfalls that might lead to damage of the boat or otherwise make this a bad idea? Anyone have experience with this type of thing? Thank you.
