Tips To Prep Your Boat For Winter
/The winter season can bring about trouble for boat owners who live in areas that experience cold winters. The freezing of water can cause serious damage to your boat in addition to the rough winter weather. Winterizing your boat is key to long term protection during the off season and to prevent any costly repairs. No matter what type of boat or engine you have, these general steps will help maintain your boat over the winter and have it ready to hit the water next season.
The first step to prepare for winter is to winterize your engine. You want to start with replacing your engine oil. Engine oil contains acids that can cause corrosion over a period of time, so it is important to replace your oil and filter before storing your boat. The next step is flushing out your engine and coolant system with fresh water to clear away any salt or dirt which could also lead to corrosion. Remove the drain plugs and the water pump hose to drain any remaining water. Then if applicable, fill the coolant system with antifreeze. Gas also causes issues when left sitting over a period of 60 days or more. It deteriorates and creates a gummy resin that can cause engine damage. To prevent this from happening you want to fill up your gas tank and add fuel stabilizer. You then want to run the engine until the stabilizer makes its way through the whole system by either running it in the water or using water muffs or a garden hose system. To add an additional level of protection to your engine, you can use fogging spray which will add a protective coating to internal parts of the engine that prevents wear and corrosion. It is also a good idea to loosen or remove driving belts to prevent any cracking from extreme temperatures.
To prevent expensive damage from freezing, you must also drain any remaining water from the bilge, water tanks, livewells, pipes, and anywhere else water would be. If you have a trolling motor, you’ll want to lower it to drain water from the unit. Drain your livewells of all moisture and use your bilge pump to remove any remaining water. Then spray the bilge with a water-repellent spray to keep it safe from moisture. If your boat has a water heater, it is important to turn it off before draining the water so you do not burn out the element. Open up any faucets and water lines to empty out the water tank. When you are finished draining add antifreeze into the water tank. You will need to bypass the water heater if you have one when adding the antifreeze.
Once your boat has been fully winterized, the next step is to get the exterior protected. Winter brings rain, sleet, ice and snow which can ruin your boat’s finish or do even worse damage. Not only that, but UV rays from the sun can also cause fading and discoloration. Even if you store your boat indoors - dirt, dust, and grime can build up on your boat’s interior and equipment. A boat cover will protect you from all of these threats. EmpireCovers has a wide range of waterproof covers that also offer UV protection. They will prevent any moisture from entering your boat as well as keep out any debris. They offer heavy duty covers for a variety of different boat type. However, before covering your boat, you should clean the interior and exterior of any dirt and salt and make sure that it is dry. Waxing your boat’s hull is also a good idea since it will help protect it against UV light.
To fully winterize your boat you should check your owner’s manual for any additional needs your boat may need. Taking the time to implement the proper precautions will ensure that your boat will stay protected through the whole winter season. The time put in now will save you money on any expensive repair bills that can accrue from not prepping your boat correctly. Have peace of mind during the winter knowing that it will be smooth sailing when it’s time to take your boat out again next season.
