I have to store my aluminum deep V boat outside this winter. I have a good cover and the motor was winterized by the dealer. I have some questions relating to winter care other than the motor: 1.  Should I take the cranking battery and/or the deep cycle battery out of the boat and store inside or can I put them on automatic battery chargers and leave them in the boat?  2.  Should I leave the motor (115 h.p. Mercury 4 stroke) trimmed down, up, or in the transom saver?  3.  Should I get a support system/poles to ensure the cover can handle snow?  4.  Any other preventive maintenance or storage procedures you would suggest?  I don't mean to sound stupid here, but in past years I always stored my boats in doors. Thanks!

Before I started storing in a barn at the fairgrounds, I just kept mine in the yard.  I have a custom cover with poles, so snow was not an issue.  I would store the motor trimmed down to keep water from collecting in the lower unit and covered the prop to keep critters from crawling in the exhaust.

 

As long as the batteries are charged, there's no reason to remove them.

 

I also removed the drain plug so any water that might get past the cover would drain out.

Thanks for the feedback. How do you cover the prop and with what?

1 minute ago, Joseph B. said:

Thanks for the feedback. How do you cover the prop and with what?

I used to duct tape the lid from a sour cream container over it.  It's kinda redneck, but it works!

What ever works lol! Sounds good to me and I have a big role of Gorilla Tape.