I’m a Marine stationed down on Parris Island and I just register orders to Okinawa Japan for the years. I have '09 Carolina Skiff with 115 yamaha that I have 6 months of payments left on. My orders are for three years and I would love to hang on to my boat. Is there a good way to store a boat and engine for that amount of time ? What type of Maintenance issues am I looking at to get it back on the water after that amount of time? Am I crazy for trying to store it for this amount of time?
I suggest that you siphon out as much of the gas as you can, then add some fuel presevative to what you can’t get out. Run a fogging agent through the engine, if you don’t know how have a marine mechanic do it for you, lube everytinhg that you possibly can, drain and refill lower unit. Plan on buying new batterys when you return, they will most likely be unservicable after three years. On the other hand if you have a trusted friend that can take it out every now and then that would be better. Anything mechanical sitting for a long period of time will have problems later.
Sell that S.O.B and get a brand new one when u get back…
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
huh, weird bro. I’m kind of in the same situation as you. I had orders to Lejeune and if i pick up E-7 when the promotions results come out they are gonna send me straight to Okinawa also.I love oki so it won’t be an issue for me. I just bought a flats boat about 2 months ago and might have to sell the boat also. If I were you man, sell the boat if you can or sell every piece of electronics on it. Sell the motor, trolling motor, GPS and all that other stuff and stored your hull somewhere. I think charleston is where they stored your household goods if you don’t take them with you overseas and they might store your boat. It’s no good to let the motor sit for 3 years especially. It would be better to save money and then come back to the states and get a kick ass boat but i think once you go to oki and realized the EPIC fishing they have there you’ll never want to leave. I have shot Mahi, wahoo, Tuna and pelagics swimming 100 yards off the beach. There are endless snappers, groupers and all kinds of exotic fishing there.
Yo
Where on Okinawa were you doing all of that good spear fishing? I want to get into it when I get there but have no idea where to start. It’s been 10 years since I left OKI. At that time i did a little diving and a lot of drinking.
Give me your email and i show you some photo’s. Just know that they “the Japanese fisherman union” are cracking down on americans fishing on thier turf and will call the cops on you and you don’t want to get caught with a speargun in your posession. So you better be a good spearfisherman using a pole spear which is allow.
Sell that S.O.B and get a brand new one when u get back…
I'd definitely consider this advice. Think about the combined depreciation and cost of storage. Also remember that a lot can happen in three years, and you might find yourself somewhere else entirely, thinking about that boat you have sitting back in SC not doing anyone any good. (Ask yourself three years ago when you bought the boat if you saw yourself in this situation today, and apply that to three years ahead again...)
It might be different if it were a unique vessel, or something that would even increase in value, but in this case, no. The cost of storage plus depreciation is your cost of holding a boat you 100% know you will not be using for the next three years.
Also, it’s unlike a car where you might see a significantly higher value because it has extremely low miles (and I’d even argue against sitting on a car, too). I’ts just going to be a six year old boat then, and you’re better off without it.
In my experience, such a decision tends to be hung up on the emotional factor… as its more about the idea of having that boat waiting for you and how you’re going to enjoy it on that distant day in the future. Forget about it, and save that money for the new boat you’ll get when you return that will be even more perfect!
Don’t worry, the Parris Island Cobia will wait here for you (I hope…), as long as you don’t get spoiled by the Okinawa seafood buffet sitting just off the beach!
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Thanks for all of the advise. I am going to sell. It Makes sence. Between the cost of storage and the maintenance that will be required to bring it out… That’s a good chunck of change.