Winterizing Your Boat: Do It Now Before the Freezing Temps Roll In
The time has come—it’s time to winterize your boat. As fellow boating enthusiasts, we share in your disappointment that colder temperatures are on the way. But we all know preparing our boats for their winter break is essential! In many regions, boats are headed to storage until warmer weather returns in the spring. For now, follow these helpful tips to ensure your boat is properly winterized.
Winterize Your Boat The Right Way
All things to consider…
1. Determine who is doing the work.
Do you have the skills and tools to winterize your boat on your own or with a friend? If you have not done a winterization job before, seek out a professional to do the job for you. Check out FirstMate Services , an app that allows you to find the right provider for maintenance and service.
2. Get your boat out of the water.
Water poses the most danger to your boat during the off-season. It is important to get your boat out of the water before temperatures drop too quickly. You’ll want it on land before temperatures consistently hit 32 degrees, causing fresh and saltwater to freeze.
3. Review your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
Take note of specific maintenance needs your boat may require.
4. Inspect your boat.
Check the interior and exterior of the vessel for any damaged areas. Repair any tears, rips, or rust spots before storing for the winter.
5. Do the work.
Prepare the engine by applying corrosion protection and adding a fuel stabilizer to the fuel system. Change the engine’s filters, drain the boat’s plumbing system, and add antifreeze to prevent freezing. Be sure to remove all water and take out the drain plugs.
6. Clean your boat.
Avoid storing a dirty boat. Make sure to give your boat a thorough scrub with the proper boat washing soap and water, cleaning everything from the hull to the interior.
7. Cover your boat or place it into winter storage.
Boats can be stored in boat storage units, dry stack storage, indoor spaces, or even outdoors in your yard. Wherever you choose to store your vessel this winter, be sure it’s properly covered.
8. Dock owners, list your dock.
Now that your dock is cleared and your boat is warmly tucked away for the winter, use this time to photograph your dock and list it on Dockshare. Create an account, share your images and details about your dock, determine your pricing and availability for the upcoming boating season, and earn extra cash.
After taking the necessary steps to winterize your boat, you can rest easy knowing it will be ready for the spring boating season without any issues. We’re already counting down the days until we can get our boats out of winter storage—122 days until the first day of spring… but who’s really counting?