A wet life jacket shut in a plastic bin, a cooler closed with melted ice still inside, and a tube folded while damp all have the same problem: trapped moisture. It can lead to mildew and sour smells. Over time, it can also damage fabrics, weaken materials, and shorten the life of your equipment.

Here’s how to handle each piece of gear, from life jackets to fishing reels, whether you’re out every weekend or packing up until spring.

Start With Cleaning and Drying

Unload everything the day you get home. Empty the coolers, unpack the bags, and pull damp towels and cushions out of the boat’s compartments. Keep the wet gear apart from the dry gear so moisture doesn’t spread.

A hose takes care of lake water, mud, and sand on equipment that can safely be rinsed. Sunscreen and food residue usually need mild soap. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for materials that need special care. Then let everything dry before it goes into a bin, cabinet, or unit. Straps, seams, and folds hold water the longest. Check those spots by hand instead of trusting the outer fabric.

How to Store Life Jackets

Cleaning

Read the care label first. Foam and inflatable life jackets are cleaned differently.

Foam jackets can be hand washed in warm water with mild soap and a soft sponge, then rinsed until no soap is left. Skip bleach, strong detergents, dry cleaning, and the washing machine.

Inflatable jackets need additional care around the inflation mechanism. Hand wash or sponge them with mild, soapy water without submerging the inflator. Some models require specific components to be removed or protected during cleaning, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Before using the jacket again, confirm that the inflation system is properly assembled and armed.

Drying

Hang life jackets in the shade with good airflow until they’re dry all the way through. Don’t use a clothes dryer, heater, or radiator to speed things up. Heat can damage both the foam and the fabric.

Storing

Hang foam jackets on a wide hanger or lay them flat on a shelf. Nothing should sit on top of them. Weight compresses foam over time, and damaged or permanently compressed flotation material may reduce buoyancy.

Store life jackets in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Avoid sealed containers that could trap moisture. When the jackets return to the boat, keep them readily accessible. The Coast Guard advises against storing life jackets in plastic bags, locked compartments, or underneath other equipment while aboard.

Inspecting

Look over every jacket before you put it away. Check for rips, broken buckles, frayed straps, mildew, and signs of deteriorating foam. Replace jackets with damage that affects their condition or performance. A persistent musty smell deserves further inspection before the jacket goes back into use.

Foam that feels hard, shrunken, or waterlogged is another warning sign. On an inflatable, check the cylinder and status indicator the way your manual describes. If a jacket is no longer serviceable, replace it before the next trip.

How to Store Inflatable Floats and Towable Tubes

Clean and Dry Before Deflating

Rinse floats and tubes with a hose to remove sand and lake residue, and use mild soap where sunscreen has built up. Leave them inflated while they dry. Keeping the tube inflated makes it easier to reach and inspect every surface. Handles, seams, and the area around the valve can stay wet after the rest of the tube feels dry.

While they’re still inflated, look for small punctures, seams pulling apart, and loose handles. A slow leak is much easier to find and patch in your driveway than on the dock. Follow the manufacturer’s repair instructions, and replace equipment with damage that affects its safe use.

Deflate and Fold Loosely

Open the valve and press the air out gently, or run your pump in reverse if it has a deflate setting. Fold or roll the float loosely. Vinyl creased tightly in the same spot every season can weaken or crack along the fold over time.

Store deflated floats in a clean bin or on a shelf away from hooks, tools, and anything sharp. Coil the tow rope separately so it doesn’t tangle around the tube.

How to Store Coolers

Wash It Out

Empty the cooler and wash it inside and out with warm water and dish soap. Residue collects in the corners, the lid gasket, the handles, and the drain. For lingering smells, a wash with baking soda and water works on many hard-sided coolers. Check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations before using additional products.

Rinse well and pull the drain plug, where applicable, so the last of the water runs out.

Store It Open

Let the cooler dry with the lid open, then store it with the lid propped slightly open. A closed lid can trap remaining moisture, which contributes to stale odors and mildew.

Keep coolers on a shelf or pallet instead of bare concrete. Don’t stack heavy gear on the lids, since hinges and gaskets can bend under the weight. A small cooler can nest inside a larger one if both are completely dry and the lids have room for ventilation.

How to Store Tow Ropes and Dock Lines

Rinse ropes after they’ve been through mud or sand. Grit left in the fibers can contribute to abrasion as the rope moves and flexes. Spread them out or hang them loosely in the shade to dry. A wet rope coiled in a bag can stay damp for days.

Once dry, coil each rope loosely and hang it on a hook or keep it in a mesh bag. Check tow ropes for fraying, flat or worn spots, and cracked handles. A tow rope that breaks under load can snap back toward the rider or the boat. Replace any rope with damage that could affect its strength, and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe use.

How to Store Fishing Gear

Rods. Rinse with fresh water and dry them before storing. Use a rack that holds them straight, either standing up or lying flat with adequate support. Keep boxes from leaning against them.

Reels. Back off the drag before long-term storage if the reel manufacturer recommends it. Wipe the reel down and lubricate it according to the manual. Avoid spraying water directly into the reel’s internal components.

Tackle boxes. Let every compartment dry before you close the lid. One wet lure in a closed box can contribute to rust forming on nearby hooks. Replace hooks that are heavily corroded or weakened.

Nets. Dry the mesh completely before folding it or putting it in a bag. Keep the handles supported so they don’t bend under other equipment.

Batteries and electronics. Take disposable batteries out of devices that will sit unused for months when the manufacturer recommends it. Leaking batteries can corrode the contacts. Rechargeable batteries and marine electronics may have specific temperature and charging requirements, so check their manuals before storage.

Keep hooks and sharp tools in closed boxes, away from floats, life jackets, and boat covers.

How to Store Boat Covers, Cushions, and Towels

Brush loose dirt off the boat cover and wash it with a cleaner made for its fabric. Spread it out to dry, seams included. A cover folded while damp traps water between the layers. Once it’s dry, fold it loosely into a breathable storage bag.

Boat cushions are trickier. The foam inside can stay wet long after the surface feels dry. Stand removable cushions on edge where air can reach both sides, and give them extra time to dry. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, particularly for cushions with specialized foam or waterproof coverings.

Wash towels and fabric bags before putting them away, and keep them separate from anything still drying.

Organizing Boating Gear in a Garage or Storage Unit

Shelving –  Put heavy coolers and containers on the bottom shelves and lighter gear above. Clear, labeled bins work well for small dry items like goggles, water shoes, and spare straps. Life jackets and anything still airing out should stay out of sealed bins.

Wall hooks – Ropes, rods, and life jackets stay untangled on the wall. Use wide hooks or supports for life jackets, because a narrow peg can dent the foam. Fishing rods should be kept in proper holders rather than hanging by delicate components.

Front to back – During the season, keep the gear you grab every weekend near the door. That means life jackets, tow ropes, and the main cooler. Spare floats and off-season gear go farther back.

If the garage needs more than a boating cleanup, our spring-cleaning guide for Wills Point and spring-cleaning tips for Terrell homes cover sorting the rest of your household items.

Where to Store Boating Equipment in the Off-Season

A garage works for a few life jackets and a cooler, especially with shelves and hooks. Once floats, tubes, fishing gear, and covers start taking over, a storage unit gives all of it one home.

A standard storage unit may work well for thoroughly dried coolers, ropes, and other durable equipment. Keep everything organized on shelves or in appropriate containers, with enough room to avoid crushing delicate items.

North Texas garages and non-climate-controlled storage spaces can get very hot in summer. Climate-controlled storage may be a better choice for temperature-sensitive electronics and certain materials that can deteriorate in extreme heat. Always check the manufacturer’s storage recommendations before deciding where to keep expensive boating accessories. Several BTA Self Storage locations offer climate-controlled units.

Our Rockwall storage facility on State Highway 276 also offers open, covered, and enclosed boat storage options. You can keep your boat and its associated equipment organized in one location, subject to the property’s storage rules, and free up room in your driveway at home. The location also provides convenient access to the Lake Ray Hubbard area.

If some gear stays on the boat, prep the boat first. Take out damp life jackets, towels, and inflatables. Remove all food and other perishables. Then follow the boat manufacturer’s guidance on ventilation and seasonal storage. Make sure any equipment left aboard is clean, dry, and stored where it won’t become damaged.

Check Everything Before Your First Trip Back

Pull your gear out a week or two before the first trip, not the morning you launch.

• Life jackets: Inspect each one again and make sure it still fits the person who wears it. Kids outgrow them fast. Check inflatable cylinders and indicators according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Floats and tubes: Inflate them according to their instructions and check for leaks. Some inflatables may lose pressure as temperatures change, so investigate any noticeable loss of air before use.
• Ropes: Look again for fraying, worn spots, and damaged attachment points.
• Coolers: Open them and check for odors, residue, or a cracked gasket.
• Fishing gear: Look for rust on hooks and reels, and check the condition of batteries in electronic accessories.
• Required safety gear: Federal rules generally require a properly sized, wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard a recreational vessel. Additional requirements may apply based on the boat, passenger ages, and operating conditions. Check any required fire extinguishers for proper condition and serviceability, following the applicable regulations and manufacturer’s instructions.

Finding a damaged tube, missing life jacket, or corroded reel a week before your trip gives you time to address the problem. Discovering it at the boat ramp can mean heading home before the day even starts.

Keep Your Gear Ready for Next Season

Clean and dry your boating equipment before putting it away, and give each piece enough room to avoid damage. Life jackets shouldn’t be crushed, inflatable floats need protection from punctures, and coolers should be stored clean with their lids open for ventilation.

BTA Self Storage offers self storage in Rockwall, Terrell, Royse City, Wills Point, and Forney, along with open, covered, and enclosed boat storage options at our Rockwall location. Explore our storage locations to find room for your boating gear and keep your garage clear between trips.