SW Florida summer storage

[CaptnRanger]

SWEET RETREAT will be on a covered lift for a majority of the hot summer in Florida.
How should the power be left on the vessel. I’m thinking power off with a battery mender
On the start battery. Also been told power on with charger on. What is recommended?
Vessel is R27 OB 2022 model.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

When I’ve stored boats for extended periods I’ve disconnected the cables/wires, etc to the batteries, when easily accessible. Zip tie each set from each battery terminal to keep things organized, number the zip tie to a battery post so its easier to identify things when reconnecting. Turn all controls off and or pull spade fuses. Clean the terminals when reconnecting. If the terminals are difficult to get to I’ve simply turned the batteries off, all power to everything and disconnected fuses to items that always take a draw…..such as bilge pumps, co detectors, battery monitors, etc. Make sure the batteries are fully charged before you do either of the steps I’ve posted.

Jim F

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

If it were me, and I had access to power, I would clean out the fridge and turn off the house and engine power. Leave the shore power connected and the battery charger on. The ABSO charger has a long term cycle as a art of the charging profile that will help maintain the batteries.


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[knotflying]

I would go with Jim's method, If you remove the negative wires you will be golden and it is simpler. More importantly if you have AC power I would put a dehumidifier in the cabin. Hot summer with humidity is a petri dish for mold. Some Kanberra gel and a few damp rid won't hurt either. A couple of the hanging bags with a fragrance won't last long, but the scent keeps it smelling fresh.

 

[BB marine]

I stored my boat in Florida for 3 months unattended. It was covered storage but open sided with a 30 amp service. I removed the garboard plug, I made sure all batteries were fully charged and turned all battery switches off. I opened all cabinets, lifted the forward Berth mattress so the storage areas were open for air circulation. I placed several clothes dryer sheets through out the cabin and in the cockpit storage lockers to try to maintain a fresh smell in the boat. I purchased a small dehumidifier https://www.amazon.com/Levoair-Dehumidi ... r=8-5which was recommended by another TugNut that keeps his boat on a lift in Florida. I placed the dehumidifier by the sink and ran the drain hose into the sink drain. It was plugged into the galley outlet. I left the port outlet breaker on and the battery charger on. When we returned to the boat other than the outside being dirty the inside was as we just left it. No mold, no smell, batteries charged and ready to go.

I assume the boat will be on a lift at your home in Florida. If you have power available the option to keep charger on and dehumidifier operating would be an option. In your case, having the boat on a lift I would not want to pull the garboard drain. You never know what the winds and tides will do in a storm. This winter we saw several boats in lifts with the water touching the bottoms of the boats during a windy day and high tide. Theses boats were normally 3' out of the water high tide. If the Garboard drain is not pulled you would want to have your bilge pumps operational. It rains a lot in Florida and even a boat in a covered lift can be subject to get driving rains and water in the cockpit. A plugged cockpit drain in a Ranger is not uncommon. This water will make its way to the bilge if it can't make its way down the drain. You want to have the bilge pump available.

Before storing I would do a fresh water sanitation flush of bleach to the water system. Then drain the system this will kill any bacteria that is present in the system if any. Next a good sanitation system flush. If you have a salt water flush head. Use the fresh water from the sink to flush fresh water though the system removing any salt water from the sanitation system This will help eliminate orders that are caused from seawater and the small critters that get in the system. Pump out Several times after adding fresh water to the tank. A dirty tank will really start to stink after several months in the Florida summer heat. Run fresh water thru the raw water wash down flushing out all salt water and leave fresh water in the system. Clean and rinse with fresh water all sea strainers. Flush the marine air system with fresh water, Flush the engine with fresh water. Make sure all dock lines, life vest, rags, towels, storage bags are dry and stored in a dry location. Fuel tank Full with a good stabilizing additive. I don't always follow this rule in the north but in Florida during the summer I feel it is a must. make sure when the boat sits on the lift it is sitting slightly bow high.