Pole Storage this winter...Do's and Don'ts?

[ellenor]

Last winter I was able to store my Speedster in my in-laws semi heated garage. Well their house sold and this year it looks like the boat will be stored at a friend’s house. He has a pole shed, it’s not blacktopped or cemented, so the boat will be on the trailer on gravel. Seadoo cover will obviously be on the boat. He mentioned he gets mice from time to time in the garage and I’m wondering if you have to seal up the back so they don’t get in, or any other suggestions on this type of storage environment.

 

[Guest_User]

Last winter I was able to store my Speedster in my in-laws semi heated garage. Well their house sold and this year it looks like the boat will be stored at a friend’s house. He has a pole shed, it’s not blacktopped or cemented, so the boat will be on the trailer on gravel. Seadoo cover will obviously be on the boat. He mentioned he gets mice from time to time in the garage and I’m wondering if you have to seal up the back so they don’t get in, or any other suggestions on this type of storage environment.

I would plug the exhaust outlets with nerf balls or something. and try and close up the boat as tightly as possible, maybe even consider shrink wrap... mice are no joke, they can eat wiring that can cause issues for the next season... and make nice piss smelling homes in your seat cushions...

 

[ellenor]

I would plug the exhaust outlets with nerf balls or something. and try and close up the boat as tightly as possible, maybe even consider shrink wrap... mice are no joke, they can eat wiring that can cause issues for the next season... and make nice piss smelling homes in your seat cushions...

Ya...I thought of putting either a softball or baseball in the outlet and duct taping it there. I would think the mice would chew through the nerf ball. My seats will be in my basement. Im just curious on what others have done that have stored their boat in a simular setting.

 

[Dr Honda]

I have mixed feelings with trying to seal the boat. It's hard to get all the water out... and sealing it is bad. Personally, I would put a couple packs of moth-balls in it. I don't think mice like them (or bugs) so they wont' stay.

I would put screen or something "Open" over the exhaust so it can breath.

 

[Guest_User]

I have mixed feelings with trying to seal the boat. It's hard to get all the water out... and sealing it is bad. Personally, I would put a couple packs of moth-balls in it. I don't think mice like them (or bugs) so they wont' stay.

I would put screen or something "Open" over the exhaust so it can breath.

perfect! mothballs! thanks...

note: I`m pretty sure there were vents in the top along with mold bags when this one was last wrapped...

 

[howie099]

Mouse traps to catch the little suckers with poison to take them out. The more coverd and secure the boat the mice will feel more safe and not want to leave. I store my boat in my Pole Building, but mine is heated and I have concrete floor. I am in there to much to for the mice to stay in there. If I find one the poison and sticky traps are out. I keep my boat all opened up most of the year to keep it all vented since I store in it there all year.

 

[jhjesse]

Letting the boat breath is my preference, but...
If you cover your boat with a tarp, or do any kind of shrink wrap make sure you add desiccant bags to absorb moisture. If no desiccant bags are available use a 10lb bag of kitty litter.
It is also a good thing if tarping/wrapping to put butcher paper down first to avoid the "mold/ink" stains from you cover.

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