small rip on rear deck

[highflyn]

 I remember that fire. Sorry to hear your family lost their boat. Did the fire investigators determin the the age of the heater? I'd bet a buck it was at least a few years old, but probubly older then that.
Cal's right, using a heater/fan will increase the risk of a fire, but if you purchase one new, check it regularly, and toss it at the end of the season the risk is very low.
Your not kiddin cal, L Dub can be one rough puddle. Kenmoore before 1000 my spot of choice. How many other seattle locals are on board?

Highflyn

[toyotafreak]

Cal, you're the pimpest. Mr. Highflyn, welcome to the site!!!!

If you're ever in SoCal....

[mvermeer]

Do any of you store your boats outside, in a carport or in a barn?  

I can use these options for the winter, but the local marina scared me into storing with them when they dropped the "if you store it in any of those places, squirrels can get at the upholstery" comment.  Then, they went on to say that their storage is critter proof.  Have any of you had any trouble with critters getting into your boat?  

The problem with the marina is that it's pricey.  There are a few farms nearby that store boats in barns for next to nothing and some neighbors are storing their boat at one this winter.  If they have a good experience, I might try it next winter.  Some farms are turning boat storage into a big business by taking upwards of 100 boats each winter.

By the way, we don't let any food on our boat since it might contribute to varmint trouble.  This also helps keep our boat clean because we've got 6 and 4 year old kids.  We all know how half of what they eat on ends up ground into the carpet anyway.

I have stored my boat at my brother-n-laws house, which is on a farm.  If the farmer has cats, you should not have to worry about mice.  I am not sure about squirrels.  I know we put a butt load of dryer sheets inside the boat all over because mice do not like the smell of them.  You can also put mothballs in the boat.  I know they do not smell the best, but it is better than having holes in your seats from mice or other animals.  Hope this helps you out.

About the marine storage.  You need to remember some of those guys do and say whatever it takes to get your money.  If others are storing their boats at this farm and not having problems with animals, I would not worry about it.  Plus the farmer has to have some sort of guarentee or insurance plan to help cover for problems like that.