Boating season is over, the winter has arrived, it's time for winter storage, get your boat ready this winter season, with our winterizing tips! Prevent damage to your boat against this cold weather! Follow our Winterizing guide.

Prepare and store your boat for winter

Storing your boat for the winter season sound like hard work, you have to find a storage facility if you don't have space of your own, but this is very important for all boat owners, to protect their boat during the long winter. Boating season is fun, exciting, and filled with adventure, so when its time for winter storage we all feel a little sad knowing boating season is over, but once the winter comes to an end, your boat will be ready for the waters, after following our guide to winterize your boat, you can remove your boat from winter storage knowing it is in top shape and ready for summer.

Storing your boat for winter

We all love our boats; it is part of a journey that brings so much joy and happiness. When it comes to winter, we need to protect our vessel from "winter weather conditions" So many questions, especially if it is your first time preparing for winter. We will be looking at different types of winter boat storage, winterizing your boat, and many more.

Follow our step-by-step guide! Visit our website for all your winterizing products Winterizing Collection List – Marine Supplies US

Feel free to add to the blog by dropping a comment! Let's get started

 

Three ways of storing your boat:

In-water boat storage 

Winter weather is different all around, from snowing to raining, so depending on your area's winter weather conditions, this option might work or might not work at all. Leaving your vessel in the water during winter is not recommended. There are many risks to think of, for example, sinking, storm damage, and blisters.

Dry outdoor boat storage

This option is the most cost-effective; if you have space for your boat, then go for it. However, this is not the most preferred option as leaving it out and dry without any protection in bad weather conditions can damage your boat. You can avoid damages by maintaining the vessel and keep it well protected. 

Dry indoor boat storage

Storing the boat inside a covered area can be expensive unless you have the covered space in your backyard. Storing indoors is considered the safest option, according to many "boaters."

Boats must have a proper stand for storing. Trailers with adjustable rollers or pads can adapt to different crafts, making storing safe and comfortable. Maintain your trailer by cleaning it and use trailer corrosion protectant

 

Winterize your boat - winter months

It is crucial to winterize your boat before winter. No matter the type of storage you choose, this is still a "must-do" whether your vessel is indoor or outdoor; winterization is crucial and highly recommended.

Before storing your boat for winter, you need to prepare your boat.

• Take your boat out on the ocean/lake for one last ride.
• Make sure everything is working properly, see if you notice anything that needs fixing.
• Be sure to repair all noticeable problems before winterizing and storage.
• Remove all electronics from your boat, you don't need to keep your electronics on your boat, the less weight you have on your boat the better. Remove all the dirt from your boat give it a good clean.

 

Steps for winterizing your boat :( Check your owners manual for specific instructions)

Prepare your boat, Give it a good wash after you have taken your boat out for one last ride, remove salt from your boat, and engine by flushing your engine and wash your boat with marine soap!

1. Replace engine oil: Flush out the old oil and replace filters. New oil to be added in, apply corrosion protectant to your engine. Use appropriate oil, change your fuel filter, top up your fuel tank.
2. Spray fogging oil: fogging oil protects against corrosion. Crc Marine Fogging oil Clean carburetor – remove deposits such as gun sludge and varnish. Make sure you spray all your spark plugs and make sure the fogging oil gets into the spark plug holes. CRC marine cleaner
3. Flush and drain cooling water: Water flushing systems
4. Inboard and sterndrive engines: Flush the engine with clean water by using water muffs, flush until the engine reaches average operating temperature, remove drain plugs. Drain remaining water by removing the water pump hose.
5. Outboard engines: make sure all drain holes are open, start the engine and clean the cooling system by flushing it with fresh water. Flush for a few minutes.
6. Add Fuel Stabilizer It removes water to prevent corrosion and cleanses carburetors and fuel injectors. This product protects the engine from gum, varnish, rust, and corrosion and will prolong the engine's life.  Fuel stabilizer is vital,
7. Drain all freshwater plumbing systems and add antifreeze
8. Replace gear oil:  Drain old oil, replace it with fresh oil, make sure there is no moisture when changing the oil; if there is a sign of moisture contamination, you need to replace the seals.
9. Clean & Wax your boat.
10. Tie off the steering wheel: Add Metal Protectant to your steering wheel or corrosion-protectant
11. Propeller: Remove prop nut and coat with waterproof grease.
12. Rubber Seal Protectant – protects against drying and cracking in extreme weather conditions – use the product on all rubber door seals.
13. Loosen or remove drive belts – because they can crack under pressure. Release the tension on your drive belts by removing them or you can loosen them. 
14. Cover your boat: there are two options when covering your boat; Option one: shrink wrap, which is generally done by a professional. Option two: robust and durable boat covers; make sure your boat is covered with good airflow to avoid mold. To keep your boat cover in excellent condition, make sure to maintain it; if not maintained, it can cause problems. If your boat is stored outdoor, make sure to clean the cover regularly, remove dirt and any build-up, and use lukewarm water for cleaning. Utility brush& multi-surface cleaner. If you are in an area where it is snows – remove snow from the cover regularly as the snow can become heavy and cause the cover to rip. Marine fabric guard – This is a fabric protector; Spray it on outdoor leather seats, boat covers, and awnings.
15. Shrink wrapping is a method used to protect your boat from moisture, this is not an easy task so it is best to get the professionals for this task.

Keep your boat protected in the winter months

 

Everything on your boat must be winterized, if done correctly you should have no problems for start-up next season.

If you leave your boat in the water:

• Switch off all breakers except the bilge pumps check the vessel weekly.
• Keep the battery charged with your installed charger or a regulated battery maintainer.
• Do Acid Test: Check the electrolyte level of flooded batteries and top off with distilled water — just enough to cover the plates.

 

Winter Battery care

It is all about "TLC" tender love and care when it comes to our boat. Batteries are essential components of the vessel. As a boat owner, you must prepare your batteries before winter and maintain them during winter.

There are two options when it comes to your battery:

• Disconnect batteries and store in a dry place, with controlled temperature
• Disconnect batteries and put on a battery charger and choose “float setting.” ProMariner Battery Charger

Regular maintenance during winter is essential to ensure your battery safety and have it ready to use for the summer season.

 

Check your user manual for specific instructions.

1. Regular maintenance, including watering and removing corrosion.  sea-care-battery-cleaner-protectant
2. Disconnect the negative cable and wait a few hours before checking specific gravity or voltage. Hydrometer: check each cell; gravity should be 1.265 - 1.285. Voltmeter: 12.6V is the reading for charged batteries
3. Disconnect terminals to remove all electrical loads from your batteries. 
4. Ideally, trickle charge batteries or charge them monthly. Fully charged batteries are at low risk of freezing. Do not leave your battery on a trickle charger for long periods as you run the risk of explosion caused by boiling electrolyte. Today's batteries do best when charged using a marine "smart charger."
5. Do not overcharge your battery.

 

Meter readings: digital-battery-meter

• 65 to 12.77 volts battery has a full charge
• 45 to 12.54 volts75-percent charged
• 24 to 12.29 volts50-percent charged
• 99 to 12.06 volts25-percent charged
• 75 to 11.89 battery is dead

 

Items and tools you need to winterize your boat:

 

Follow your Instruction Manual for specific instructions

Oil Change: Wrench (to fit drain plug) or Pump to remove oil; Oil container; Fresh oil; New filter; Filter wrench

Cooling System: Wrench (to fit drain plug); Container for water; Freshwater; Antifreeze

Engine: Fogging oil; Spark plug wrench

Fuel Tank: Fuel stabilizer; Tape to cover vent

Batteries: Wrench or socket to remove cables, Battery charger, battery meter

Drive Belts: Wrench or socket

Inboard Drive: Transmission oil; Wrench or socket (to fit drain plug); Container for used oil; Fresh transmission oil

Sterndrive: Screwdriver to remove plugs; Container for old oil; Fresh oil; Power steering fluid; Power tilt fluid

Outboards: Screwdriver to remove plugs; Container for old oil; Fresh oil; Power steering fluid; Power tilt fluid

Propeller: Socket or wrench for prop nut

 Finding a storage facility, to store your boat is important to protect your boat against freezing temperatures, and if you have a trailer, it is important to protect your trailer as well, with all our tips and guidelines your boat will be ready for the summer, prepare your boat, store your boat, remove all the dirt from the boat before you apply the corrosion protectant, fogging oil, wax, etc. Use your owner's manual for specific instructions! Preparing your boat for the winter is hard work, but definitely, worth it. We hope this blog is helpful! Drop a comment if you would like to add anything, and you find this blog to be helpful.

 

Related Blogs:

Boat maintenance daily, weekly and monthly – Marine Supplies US - The maintenance blog provides helpful information, here you will find a step by step guide on how to flush your engine.

Everything you need to know about Marine batteries – Marine Supplies US

 

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