If a boat with a diesel auxiliary was properly winterized (key word "properly") with antifreeze, fuel stabilizer, fresh oil and filters, batteries removed and maintained, what is the approximate maximum time it could be stored on the hard? This is assuming that the storage was unexpected so nothing special was done other than the normal seasonal preperation.
The fine print on my fuel stabilizer says 2 years before it starts to degrade. I figure that the fuel is the #1 issue, but that can be resolved by draining the tank and system. I would assume that the cylinder walls in any cylinders with open valves would start to rust as the oil drained down and moisture took over?
We know that the current boat sat for two years in the cradle and ran fine.
I ask out of mild curiosity. I have been watching several boats that have been for sale here for years. The owners have priced themselves out of the realistic market, have been paying storage fees but have otherwise left the boats untouched. I believe a couple are past the point of no return and should be scrapped. With two in particular, the sails have been left on and are garbage, water intrusion and the winter freezes here have done some major stuctural damage, etc. Although the prices continue to drop, the boats are getting closer to the take it for free stage. While I have no desire to take one even if it were free, I wonder at what point you would say forget it?
I suppose we could invoke Craig's rule of life #1, "Given enough time or money you can do anything", however there has to be a point where the investment to bring a boat back from the dead just isn't worth it to the average person.