Preparing for Dry Storage

Our big debate this year was what to do about our deep-cycle lead acid batteries, which are brand new and cost us about $650. (Last year, one of our six-year-old batteries was dead after being disconnected for 8 months in the heat.) We entertained a variety of options:

  • disconnect them
  • leave them connected to one of our big solar panels, turned at an angle; maybe look for someone to check the water
  • leave them connected to a little solar panel
  • try to find cooler storage off the boat in San Carlos somewhere
  • lug them back to CA where we could keep them cool and charged

We finally decided to go with the little solar panel option. We bought a solar battery maintainer from the folks on Runaway. Todd coated the edge of the panel with silicone sealant to try to weather-proof it. Lets hope it works!

Here are our “To Do” lists from our 2009 haulout:

Before Haul

  • schedule haulout
  • get car out of storage and restart car insurance
  • remove dodger
  • remove outside speakers
  • aluminum foil over winches and blocks (outside)
  • aluminum foil over ports and hatches (inside)
  • survey parts and inventory spares, making list for re-supply next season
  • measurements for replacements: oven solenoid, stern tube (for dripless packing), windlass, lifelines
  • clean out galley and foodstuffs
  • clean sink and flush lines with fresh water
  • change engine oil and transmission fluid
  • dinghy: scrub clean, deflate, and cover
  • laundry: wash all sheets, towels, etc.
  • clean head
  • cover dorades with bug netting (instead of replacing with caps)
  • take down and bag sails: main, jib, stay
  • replace halyards with messengers
  • rinse dive gear with fresh water
  • rinse and store kayak
  • polish stainless
  • clean and store BBQ
  • take down HAM antenna
  • mop floors
  • empty fresh water tanks
  • start packing

Things to Pack

  • clothes
  • shoes
  • DVDs
  • electronics
  • books
  • games
  • first aid kit and temperature-sensitive medications (including items in ditch bag)
  • toiletries
  • passports
  • boat documents
  • computers, printer, scanner
  • jewelry
  • EPIRB (replace battery or get a new one?)

After Haul

  • wash down boat
  • engine: flush with fresh water, remove impeller, remove belts
  • outboard: run with fresh water, run with salt remover, fog
  • flush fridge with fresh water
  • flush head with fresh water
  • close all thru-hulls except cockpit drains
  • stuff 2 cockpit drain thru-hulls with Scotch-Brite pads, leave one free (hedging our bets against insects and mud)
  • cover other thru-hulls with duct-tape
  • close propane tanks
  • treat water tanks with bleach
  • add mineral oil to head
  • clean out fridge and rinse with bleach solution
  • disconnect antenna leads
  • equalize batteries and add water
  • remove and store big solar panels
  • set-up little solar panel
  • disconnect batteries from all but little panel
  • anchor chain: untwist, end-for-end, replace markers, rinse
  • remove and pack LED bulbs
  • take batteries out of electronics that will remain on boat (bilge alarm, stereo remote, clocks, smoke alarm)
  • put out roach poison (boric acid)
  • put out 5-gallon buckets with water and a bit of bleach (to protect wood inside)
  • empty trash
  • tarp boat
  • pack the car
  • pay yard bill

One Response to “Preparing for Dry Storage”

  1. […] for hauling and storage, and a day and a half in the workyard after we hauled. Though there were a lot of tasks to do, we adopted the motto “Hard work is only hard if you work hard at it”; meaning, with […]

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