Winter Electronics Storage

gilpri

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Joined
Jan 18, 2007
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Location
Plymouth, MA
Model
Express 330
Any opinion for removal of electronics for the winter?
I have always done in the past, but with flush mounted units this is a big PITA.
I have Raymarine E80's - in Cape Cod area - secure area, so theft isn't a big concern - I'm more concerned about the moisture and temps.
What's everybody else doing??

Thanks
 
For flush mounted equipment if you can gain access to the back of the machines and spray a little CRC around the connections you could leave it at that. If the machines are going to stay in the boat for the winter I would leave the wiring connected, no sense in messing with things. Most of my electronics come out for the winter but I have a VHF that's flush mounted and has been in the boat for 3 years without issue.
 
Pretty much same as above.
If there flush mounted, leave them in. Bracket mount, take off, store in house.
 
The electronics are supposed to be able to take the cold, but if it's not too big of a pain, bring them in.
 
Most of the electronics are moisture proff if not submersion proof. My GPS is bracket mounted and I remove it after each trip. My radio is also bracket mounted bit I leave in in all year round and it is 6 yeas old and still works fine. My concern is security not environmental issues. We have had electronis 'lifted' from boats.
A funny (not so funny) story: I saw a new member of our club putting a chain and lock on his outdrive last season. He said that where he had been slipped before in Florida, it was not uncommon for outdrives to be stolen. The thieves wouls swim up to the boat and unbolt the units.
Just something else to fret about
 
If they go through all that to steal an outdrive, I can't see chain doing much, they'll just bring bolt cutters next trip.

I don't know squat on I/O's (I only delt with them in the boxes) past the flywheel, but with the unit gone isn't the boat going to sink?
 
I left mine in last year and had no ill-effects. I was expecting the screen to be trashed from the LCD freezing & rupturing but it powered right up in the spring. Phewww!