INSIDE/OUTSIDE CHECKLIST - WARM CLIMATE STORAGE

 

Courtesy of Marcel Steinz / Frank Smart


 With updates (In Bold)  from Lou & Jean Wayne (PIKA)
 - February 2011-
(PIKA 'Summered Over' on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco , Bahamas April - December, 2010)

 Hit Counter Visits Since 2/27/2011

Marcel Steinz provided the following checklist for storing  your Alberg 37 (or any other boat) in warm/humid climates (i.e., leaving you’re boat on the hard in Florida/Bahamas during the summer months).

 INSIDE

 1. Wash down all interior surfaces with a bleach Solution to inhibit mold and mildew (especially. if teak is oiled).  

LOU & JEAN USED VINEGAR ON TEAK AND BLEACH ON ALL PAINTED SURFACES.  NO MOLD WHEN WE RETURNED 8 MONTHS LATER.  SOME CRUISERS USE VINEGAR ON THEIR CUSHIONS TO CLEAN THEM

 2. Launder all removable upholstery fabric, curtains, pillow covers, etc. and store in plastic bags.  

WE DID NOT LAUNDER UPHOLSTERY FABRICS BUT STORED THEM ON THEIR SIDE FOR BETTER CIRCULATION AROUND THEM.  WE DID STORE ALL PILLOWS, ETC IN HEAVY CONTRACTOR BAGS.  WE LIKE THE WHITE ONES INSTEAD OF BLACK IF YOU CAN FIND THEM.

 3. Put all books to be left on board in sealed plastic bags with bay leaves - they will mildew if left out.

 LEFT ALL BOOKS IN OUR HANGING LOCKER AND THEY WERE OK

 4. Seal any wicker ware in plastic - will mildew if left out.

 5. All clothes should also be bagged.

 WE LIKE TO SEAL THE BAGS WITH THE VACUUM CLEANER TO REDUCE THE SIZE

 6. Put Bounce Dryer Sheets in everything - in all sealed bags, between any clothing left on board, in all cupboards, etc. - they absorb moisture.

GOOD IDEA BUT WE DID NOT DO THIS

 7. It is a good idea to sprinkle bay leaves in lockers to help prevent bugs.

 GOOD IDEA BUT WE DID NOT DO THIS

 8. Use a lot of "Roach Hotels" throughout the boat.

 BORIC ACID IN A TIN CAN ALSO WORKS.  WE ALSO PUT MANY ANT TRAPS AROUND THE BOAT

 9. Put silver foil in all windows and hatches (shiny side out) to reflect heat.

 GOOD IDEA BUT WE DID NOT DO THIS

 10. Remove anything with elastic or rubber content e.g. rain wear, bathing suits, elastic/ rubber deteriorates in the heat. We have already had to replace the drive belt in our stereo.

 WE TAKE BATHING SUITS, RAIN JACKETS, SCRUNCHIES FOR MY HAIR, ETC. HOME

 11. Open all lockers, floor panels for air circulation.

 12. Put large containers of dehumidifier crystals in the sinks - suggest using a plastic basin as these crystals eat into stainless steel.

 GOOD IDEA BUT WE DID NOT DO THIS

 13. Drain water tanks and plumbing systems (especially  sea water systems as sea water really stinks when stagnant). Blow water out with dinghy inflating pump.

 WE LIKE TO LEAVE SOME WATER +CLOROX IN OUR TANKS FOR CLEANUP WHEN WE RETURN TO THE BOAT.  HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM DOING THIS

 14. Shut off propane at the tank.

 ALSO BE SURE TO FILL EMPTY PROPANE TANKS BEFORE LEAVING THEM.  WE NEGLECTED TO DO THIS AND HAD TO NURSE WHAT LITTLE WE HAD UNTIL THE EMPTY COULD BE REFILLED.

 15. Remove batteries from flashlights, remote controllers, GPSs, etc.

 WE ALSO DISCONNECTED ALL GPS, VHF, SSB CONNECTIONS AND STORED THEM IN OUR OVEN TO PROTECT THEM FROM LIGHTENING STRIKES

 OUTSIDE

 1. Clean all canvas work before storing.

 GOOD IDEA IF YOU HAVE FRESH WATER

 2. Plug all thru-hulls, hawse pipe with furnace filter material to prevent birds and bugs.

 WE USED PLASTIC DISH WASHING SCRUBBIES WHICH WORKED VERY WELL IN THE THRU HULLS

 3. Invert dingy on foredeck - tarp securely - lash down - leave foredeck hatch open slightly for air flow - insert screen.

 WE STORED OUR DEFLATED DINGHY AND ENGINE INSIDE TO PREVENT UV DAMAGE

 4. Flush fresh water thru outboard motor, change lower-unit oil and store.

 WE HAD OUR MARINA MECHANICS DO THIS FOR US

 5. Wash hull down with Sno-Bol Toilet Cleaner - rinse well with fresh water (removes ICW brown stain easily).

 ON-&-OFF ALSO WORKS GREAT IF YOU HAVE PLENTY OF WATER TO RINSE WITH

 6. Remove and store all sails, covers, dodger and bimini.  

WE STORED THEM INSIDE THE BOAT

7. Soak all ropes in fresh water with bounce fabric softener and dry before storing.

 8. Remove wind generator or tie blades securely.

 YES, THE BOAT STORED NEXT TO US HAD IT'S BLADES SHEARED OFF

 9. Remove all loose materials from deck in case of high winds.

 YES

 10. Apply rust preventative to all stainless.

 YES, WE USE 'NEVER DULL' PURCHASED IN AN AUTOMOTIVE STORE

 11. Service the diesel - change oil, filter, fuel filters - spray block with rust preventative

 FLUSHED THE RAW WATER SYSTEM WITH FRESH WATER

 12. Top up diesel tank and add extra shot of Biobor.

 YES

13. Transfer any gasoline to car tank.

 WE GAVE IT TO OUR MARINA

 14. Top up, charge and disconnect batteries.

 YES.  LAST WINTER WE LEFT OUR 50 WATT SOLAR PANEL CONNECTED TO THE BATTERIES THINKING IT WOULD KEEP THEM CHARGED.  WHEN WE RETURNED 8 MONTHS LATER, THE BATTERIES WERE TOTALLY DRY AND DEAD.  THEY WERE ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD.  EXPENSIVE TO BUY NEW BATTERIES IN THE BAHAMAS .  THIS YEAR WE WILL DISCONNECT THE SOLAR PANEL

 15. Pump out bilge.

 BEFORE HAULING OUT.  JOY WORKS WELL TO CLEAN IT

 16. Remove compass and store inside.

 WE DID NOT DO THIS BUT HAVE A COVER FOR OURS AND IT IS BUILT INTO THE PEDESTAL

   

OTHER STORAGE TIPS FROM JEAN AND LOU ABOARD PIKA  

WE LEFT OUR DIESEL AND GAS 5 GALLON JUGS OUTSIDE IN THE COCKPIT COVERED WITH WHITE CONTRACTOR BAGS.  THEY FAIRED QUITE WILL BUT THE BAGS HAD A LOT OF UV DAMAGE AND WERE QUITE SHREDDED.  WE ALSO TIED THEM TOGETHER

 OUR 5 GALLON WATER JUGS WERE STORED IN ONE OF THE OUTSIDE LOCKERS

 TAKE THE RAW WATER PUMP IMPELLER OUT AND COAT WITH JOY OR LEAVE IT OUT UNTIL YOU RETURN

 WE COVERED ALL EXCEPT 1 DORADE VENT (ON THE OUTSIDE) WITH A PIECE OF SUNBRELLA AND SECURED WITH A NYLON WIRE TIE AT THE BASE

 THE DORADE VENT IN THE HEAD WAS WRAPPED WITH A PIECE OF FIBERGLASS SCREEN AND SECURED WITH A WIRE TIE TO ALLOW SOME VENTILATION

FOOD AND BEVERAGES LEFT ON BOARD

BOTTLES OF WINE - MOST WERE OK ALTHOUGH MANY HAVE PLASTIC CORKS AND WERE A LITTLE FUNKY  

BOXES OF WINE - DON'T LEAVE ANY - TOTALLY UNDRINKABLE

BOTTLES OF RUM - EXCELLENT

CANNED GOODS  

WE WERE CAUTIONED ABOUT LEAVING CANS OF TOMATOES/TOMATO SAUCE BECAUSE OF THE ACID HOWEVER WE DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM.  I DID LEAVE ALL OF OUR FOOD IN STORAGE BINS OR CONTRACTOR BAGS IN CASE OF A PROBLEM.  WE LIKE TO LEAVE TUNA AND A JAR OF MAYO FOR WHEN WE RETURN SO WE HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT UNTIL WE CAN SHOP.  NO PROBLEM WITH EITHER.

 MOST SPICES FAIRED OK  

DO NOT LEAVE COFFEE IN PLASTIC CANS, VAC PACK BRICKS OK  

PEANUTS IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS ARE OK.  SOME WERE A LITTLE FUNKY TASTING  

DO NOT LEAVE - HOT SAUCE, COOKING OIL (STALE SMELLING), VINEGAR SALAD DRESSING (WIERD CLUMPS)