In the eyes of sailors, captains, and anyone hooked on the yachting lifestyle, boats are valuable possessions. They require tender care, maximum security, and unwavering dedication to ensure they stay in top condition and are ready to set sail.

Every aspect of your vessel holds value, from the seat cushions to navigation technology to your anchor, but especially your outboard. The boat motor is essential to your vessel’s operations. It propels your boat, determining your speed and distance and influencing your water-bound adventures. Keeping your outboard safe from the elements and prying hands ensure you get to enjoy the boating life more.

Whether you’re retiring your boat for the off-season, traveling for vacation, or heading home after being out on the waters, proper storage keeps your motor safe while you’re away. Here are some tips on how to store your electric outboard motor to keep it protected and in mint condition.

The Benefits of Proper Outboard Storage

Electric outboards enhance your vessels in many ways. They provide clean, quiet, lightweight, and efficient propulsion. They are highly valuable in price and functionality. Proper outboard storage makes sure you get to reap all that an electric motor offers.

Adequate storage protects your outboard from thieves and elemental dangers like heat, rain, humidity, and strong winds. It reduces future maintenance and replacement requirements and preserves quality, ensuring your outboard operates at peak performance. Proper storage also influences the longevity of your outboard. It allows you to enjoy your high-performing, multifaceted motor system and smooth, quiet boating experiences for longer.

Outdoor Storage Solutions and Tips

Outdoor boat and equipment storage allow you to quickly load up and launch. However, leaving your outboard outside has many potential dangers and downsides, such as water and heat damage risks.

Covered Shelter

Keep your outboard protected while still providing yourself with easy loading and launching benefits with a sheltered outdoor storage solution. Adding coverage over your boat or even just the motor reduces its exposure to elemental dangers like rain and UV rays.

Covered shelters also keep your outboard cool, shading it from direct and intense sunlight and minimizing the risks of overheating your electric outboard’s battery. There are multiple ways to provide outdoor coverage, from using a tarp to a temporary canopy or open shed.

Raised Storage

You can also consider lifting your outboard off the ground. Raising your outboard, whether you leave it on your boat or store it on a shelf, keeps it out of harm’s way. This makes sure it doesn’t collide with anything else or get crushed, preventing bent propellers or a snapped rudder. Storing your outboard in a raised location also reduces the risks of rodents chewing on the wires by placing it out of easy reach. It also keeps your outboard clean and free from dirt, mud, and other debris easily contracted on the floor.

Winter and Extreme Weather Storage

During winter and other circumstances with weather extremes, bringing your outboard indoors is best. Whether it’s rain, snow, or just strong winds, unruly weather generates a lot of wear and tear. It increases the possibility of water damage, snapped rudders, bent propellers, rusting, freezing, and overheating. When the weather forecasts don’t look too promising, pack up the outboard and bring it indoors.

Storing Motors While Anchored or Docked

Removing and storing your electric motor when docked or anchored out on the water for an extended period increases the longevity of your outboard. It prevents your propellors from collecting buildup and protects your battery from overheating in the sun.

Pro Tip: If you aren’t leaving your boat unattended for that long and want to leave the outboard attached, tilt it upward. This will raise the propellors out of the water and minimize direct sun exposure.

Ideal Outboard Storage

One of the best qualities of electric motors is their portable, compact, and lightweight design. It makes them easier and more flexible to store, as they take up minimal space and are easy to move. In fact, many electric outboards, like ePropulsion models, are compact enough to pack up in a bag.

Storage bags and carriers are ideal storage solutions. They keep your motor covered, sealed away, and secured. They prevent your outboard from damage in the transportation process by providing a protective barrier and padding. Storing your electric outboard in a carrier bag keeps it safe and secured in an enclosed, more controlled environment.

Other Best Practices for Storing Electric Outboards

On top of finding the perfect place to store your outboard, other storage tips and best practices further ensure the safety and quality of your motor system.

Ideal Storage Conditions

Whether storing your outboard for the off-season or before you head on vacation, some ideal storage conditions to look for include the following:

• Temperature-controlled environments
• Dry surroundings
• Sun coverage
• Lockable security means
• Contained and enclosed spaces
• Ventilation

Storage Preparation

Before storing your electric outboard, make sure to clean it and wipe it down. Lingering salt, water, and additional residue lead to possible rusting, erosion, and general wear and tear, even if your outboard is concealed from the elements. Not cleaning your outboard before storage brings the dangers into the storage method, defeating the purpose of your storage solution. Therefore, cleaning and drying your motor before putting it away optimizes storage conditions.

Other Pro Tips

Other storage tips to keep in mind include the following:

• Avoid placing any pressure or weight on your outboard.
• Do not leave your motor or outboard battery in direct sunlight for too long.
• If you are leaving for an extended period, invest in security measures like locks and cameras.
• Do not leave your outboard motor in storage for too long.
• Keep your outboard and chargers together.

There are many ways to store your electric outboard motor, from creating an outdoor cover to packing it up in a storage bag. No matter the reason you’re retiring your motor for the time being, adequate storage solutions ensure your outboard stays in top shape and is ready for your next adventure.

If you are looking for new outboards, check out RJ Nautical’s electric outboard selection. We offer lots of different models, sizes, horsepower, and accessories, including storage and transportation bags. Buy a quality motor system, store it in a proper storage solution, and enjoy boating with an electric outboard.