Quick Answer Harris Boat Works offers outdoor winter storage with shrinkwrap on-site at our Gores Landing marina. Boats are blocked, fully wrapped, and stored on our property from October pickup to spring commissioning. We don't operate indoor storage, this is outdoor only....
Quick Answer
Harris Boat Works offers outdoor winter storage with shrinkwrap on-site at our Gores Landing marina. Boats are blocked, fully wrapped, and stored on our property from October pickup to spring commissioning. We don't operate indoor storage, this is outdoor only. Pricing is by boat length and what services you bundle (winterize + storage + commissioning is the most common package). Submit a storage request at hbw.wiki/service.
What HBW Storage Actually Looks Like
We've stored boats for Rice Lake and Kawartha-area customers for decades. The setup is straightforward:
Outdoor storage on our property in Gores Landing. Boats are blocked off the trailer (or remain on trailers, depending on what you prefer), spaced for access, and exposed to Ontario winter weather.
Shrinkwrap is the standard winter cover. It's the polyethylene plastic heat-shrunk over a wood or metal frame that goes over the boat. Tight, sheds snow, vents to prevent moisture buildup, and removes cleanly in spring.
Winterization is the engine and systems prep that goes with storage. It's typically bundled with storage at HBW so the motor isn't left in operating condition through freeze-thaw cycles.
That's it. No climate control, no indoor heating, no fancy facilities. What you get is a properly winterized boat, properly covered, sitting on a marina property that's been doing this since 1947.
Outdoor vs Indoor Storage, The Honest Comparison
This is the question most customers ask, and the honest answer depends on your boat and budget:
Indoor heated storage is the gold standard for fiberglass cabin cruisers, high-end center consoles, or boats with sensitive interiors and electronics. It protects against freeze-thaw cycles, UV degradation, and moisture damage. It costs significantly more, often 2–3× outdoor storage with shrinkwrap.
Indoor unheated storage sits between the two: protects against weather and UV but not freeze-thaw cycles.
Outdoor with shrinkwrap is the practical, cost-effective choice for most aluminum fishing boats, pontoons, and smaller fiberglass boats. Done right, the boat is fully protected for winter at a fraction of the indoor cost.
For most Rice Lake and Kawartha-area customers with aluminum or smaller fiberglass boats, outdoor with shrinkwrap is the right answer. If you have a 30+ ft cabin cruiser or a high-end performance boat with sensitive electronics, indoor is usually worth the cost, but you'd need to find a different facility, not us.
What's Included in HBW Winter Storage
Most customers bundle these together:
Pre-storage winterization
- Fuel system stabilization
- Fog the engine cylinders (FourStroke and 2-stroke)
- Drain water from cooling system
- Change gearcase lube (annual or 100-hour interval)
- Lift the motor up and tilt to drain
- Battery removal (or trickle-charge setup)
- Antifreeze in any water systems (livewells, head, freshwater system)
Storage
- Block boat off trailer (or on trailer, your choice)
- Position on the property for spring access
- Standard care during winter (visual checks for damage, snow load, etc.)
Shrinkwrap
- Wood or metal frame appropriate for your boat
- Heat-shrunk polyethylene wrap over the frame
- Vents installed to prevent moisture buildup
- Tight fit, sheds snow properly
Spring commissioning (separate service, often booked at storage time)
- Remove shrinkwrap
- Reinstall battery, charge
- Top up oil, gear lube
- Test starter, charging system
- Test all motor functions on muffs
- Launch and water-test (additional charge)
Booking all four as a package simplifies your fall and spring transitions. We see your boat once at storage time, once at commissioning, you don't have to think about it in between.
Storage Pricing, In General Terms
Outdoor storage with shrinkwrap is priced by boat length. Winterization is priced by engine type and complexity. Spring commissioning is priced by what's included (basic vs. full diagnostic).
Bundling the three (winterize + storage + commission) is the common path and gives a small discount over booking them separately.
For current rates, contact us. Pricing depends on your specific boat, motor, and any extras (water system winterization, electronics protection, etc.).
When to Book Winter Storage
September to early October: Best window. We're not yet at peak demand and we can give you specific scheduling.
Mid-to-late October: Workable but tightening up. Most storage customers are booking by this point.
November: Risky for new customers. Snow has often started, fewer dry-day windows for outdoor work.
You can build a live CAD quote for your repower online at Mercury Repower Centre.
December: Too late. Schedule for next year.
The customers who call in early November every year asking if we have space, we appreciate them, but it's a tight call. Plan ahead. The marina is closed during winter months, but we are available by phone, text, or email anytime; the marina reopens early April for spring commissioning. Harris Boat Works is drop-off only: customers bring the boat to our Gores Landing marina, we do not offer pickup or delivery service.
What You Need to Have Ready Before Drop-Off
When you bring the boat to HBW for storage:
- Hours on the motor (since last service or new)
- Service history, if known
- Any specific issues you noticed last season (rough idle, slow shifts, charging problems)
- Personal items removed from the boat (electronics, fish finders, anything theft-prone)
- Tank with stabilized fuel at appropriate level (we'll work with whatever you have, but ¾ to full tank with stabilizer mixed in is ideal)
- Trailer in working order if storing on it (lights, bearings, tires fine for outdoor sitting)
Submit a service/storage request at hbw.wiki/service with your boat details before you bring it in. That way we know what we're working with.
What Spring Commissioning Looks Like
If we're commissioning your boat in spring (which most outdoor-storage customers add):
Late March to mid-April: We start booking commissioning slots. Earlier requests get earlier dates.
Late April to early May: Peak commissioning weeks. Boats getting ready for May long weekend launches.
Mid to late May: Catch-up phase. Boats that booked late or had issues found at the commissioning check.
If you want to launch your boat by the May long weekend, book commissioning by late April. Booking in late May for a launch that weekend isn't realistic, the shop is at capacity.
Full spring commissioning checklist is at /blog/spring-outboard-commissioning-checklist.
Related guides
FAQs
Do you offer indoor storage?
No. We're outdoor with shrinkwrap only. For indoor or climate-controlled storage, you'd need a different facility.
Can I store on my own trailer?
Yes. Most customers do. The trailer needs to be in roadworthy condition (tires, lights, bearings) since we'll need to move it at minimum twice (storage spot and spring launch).
Do you cover boats stored outdoors all winter?
Yes. That's what the shrinkwrap is for. Snow sheds off, the cover stays tight, the boat stays protected from precipitation and UV.
How much does shrinkwrap cost?
By boat length. Contact us for current pricing or visit hbw.wiki/service to get a quote.
Can I take items out of the boat after it's wrapped?
Yes, but it means cutting and re-wrapping a section. We charge for the re-wrap. Better to clear everything out before we wrap it.
What if my boat has a sensitive engine or fuel system?
Anything 2010 or newer with SmartCraft, EFI, or computerized engine management, we can handle that with proper winterization. The shrinkwrap and outdoor storage are appropriate for almost all modern recreational boats.
Do you do storage for inboard cruisers or large pontoons?
Yes, within size limits. Anything over 28 ft, call us first to confirm we can fit it in.
What if my boat doesn't need shrinkwrap because it's stored indoors at my own location?
Then you just need winterization at HBW. Submit a service request and let us know your storage situation. We'll handle the motor work without the wrap.
Internal Links
Ready to Schedule Winter Storage?
Submit a storage request at hbw.wiki/service. Include your boat details and what you're bundling (winterize, storage, spring commissioning).
Questions first? Call 905-342-2153.
Ready to price it out? Build a live CAD quote for your repower online at the Mercury Repower Centre.
Harris Boat Works | 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON | Mercury Marine Platinum Dealer | Since 1947
