How to Winterize a Boat
The boat needs a lot of gentle and loving care, even when it's out of the water for the winter. Proper care of your boat can be very cost-effective in the long run, because you will avoid having to pay for expensive repairs like broken exhaust manifolds, or worse yet, an engine replacement. Even with the boat insured, these repairs can be costly.
Use the following tips to seal your boat until spring. We've highlighted the most important ones, and have included a checklist for winter on the boat below.
Contents
1. Add Fuel Stabilizers
There are a variety of opinions about how much fuel to leave in your boat's tank during the winter. One thing everyone can agree on, though, is the importance of the fuel stabilizer. Since the introduction of ethanol fuel, storing a boat during the winter has become a battle against fuel separation. If ethanol fuel comes into contact with water (which is likely in a water pan) it can separate, leaving a sticky, glue-like substance at the bottom of the engine. This substance can damage the entire fuel system, so the best way to deal with it is to prevent it.
Add a fuel balancer to the tank, using the manufacturer's recommended winterizing solution. Then run the boat to the correct temperature and check for leaks or other issues.
2. Change engine oil and fuel filters
Change gears and engine oil as well as oil and fuel filters. Fresh liquids hold up better compared to the winter months, and go a long way to prevent damage caused by condensation.
3. Drain lines
Drain water from the engine block, exhaust system, sea pump, hoses and coolant – especially if you don't have access to a storage facility warm. Run the engine while it is connected to the antifreeze pump until the antifreeze fills the entire system and exits the exhaust. The goal is to eliminate any water trapped in the system. If trapped water freezes over the winter, it can expand hard enough to break the steel components of your boat.
4. Unplug the batteries
Disconnecting the battery prevents it from dying during the winter, ensuring that the boat will be ready for a quick start in the spring. It also comes with the added bonus of helping the batteries last longer – an advantage since marine batteries tend to cost more than their dryland counterparts.
5. Spray the fog oil
Spray the engine and outdrive assembly with anti-corrosion spray, also known as fog oil. This preserves the paint and prepares the components for a long period of little use.
6. STORAGE SAFELY
If your budget allows, the best place to store the boat is in a heated indoor storage area. If you are storing your boat outdoors, be sure to have a sturdy tarpaulin covering over the boat all winter long. If you decide to stock your boat, make sure it is properly prepared to return to the water once winter is over. Before your first ride next spring, be sure to:
- Make sure the belts are tight and the control cables are free of cracks
- Check for wear and remove the wear with a wire brush
- Check the oil and replace any fluids that were not changed when the boat was winter-ready
- Check the fuel system for any leaks or damage
- Find places in which the outer surface of the boat has been compromised by blows, dents, cracks or disfigurement
Ultimately, you will appreciate taking all these steps when it rises Weather and time to get to the water. And your boat will be there for many springs to come if it is properly cared for each winter. When it's time to board your boat, be sure to prepare yourself, your passengers, and your boat with these boat safety guidelines.
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