How to Store Your Boat Cover When Not in Use

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Your boat cover is a powerful tool in keeping your boat protected during the winter months or at other times of nonuse. However, your cover is not something you’ll need on your boat at all times and it’s important to know the proper technique to store your boat cover and ensure its longevity.

Care & Maintenance

Before you make plans to store your cover it’s important that you thoroughly clean the canvas. Start by removing any stains or debris, scrub the material with a soft bristle brush and ivory dishwashing liquid. If there are stains or mildew on the cover use ½ cup of bleach to a gallon of water and rinse until all residue is done. Gentle cleaning is key here to protect the canvas. Never powerwash your cover.

After cleaning, retreat your cover with 303 fabric protectant and air dry completely before storing. Any moisture that remains on your cover will be trapped, creating a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and thread rot.

Boat Cover Storage

Purchasing a high-quality boat cover is an investment in your boat and as such, it’s important to know how to take care of your cover especially when it’s being stored while not in use.

The key to boat cover storage is finding a dry, well-ventilated space to fold and store your cover. This might be a compartment on board the boat, a dock box, or inside a garage or other structure. Cover storage bags are also available and are an easy solution for putting away your boat cover.

Common Boat Cover Storage Mistakes

When it’s time to put your cover away, you have a variety of options about where to store it but there are also some spots and methods you should avoid. Be sure you don’t make the following common boat cover storage mistakes:

DON’T store your cover on the floor. Dirt and debris from the floor can cause damage to the cover and water wicked up through the flooring (especially if you have concrete floors) can promote mold and mildew growth on the cover.
DON’T put away your cover while wet. As mentioned, it’s critical that your cover is completely dry when stored. Covers that are put away while still damp are vulnerable to harmful mold and mildew growth.