Winter is approaching, and it’s time to perform the yearly sad task of putting your boat to bed for the winter. Your boat is a big investment – winterizing your prize possession is a necessity to keep in in good condition while it’s hibernating. Winterizing will also help ensure that your boat will run in tip-top shape once spring rolls around and you take it out for the first run of the new year. It’s not a hard process, and come springtime, it’ll be completely worth it.

You should start by reading your owner’s manual – the manufacturer might have some specific instructions for winterization. Beyond that, the first step is to give your boat, engine, and trailer a thorough cleaning. You want to remove all of this season’s dirt, and it’s always a pleasure to remove your cover in the spring and see a sparkling clean boat.

You’ll want to remove your drain plug and raise the bow higher than the stern. That way any water will trickle out, so you won’t have to worry about leftover water freezing and cracking your hull when the temperature drops.

Next, remove everything from the boat – seats, electronics, fishing equipment, and anything else you can store inside. You want to store all electronics inside, so they’re not exposed to cold temperatures or dampness. You also want to avoid possible damage if an animal decides to build a nest under your cover. It’s a good idea to toss a few mothballs under the cover to deter any pesky rodents you might have in the area.

You’ll want to remove the batteries from the boat next. Clean your terminals with a wire brush and a mixture of bakin soda and water, and then apply a light layer of grease to the terminals once they’re dry. It should be fully charged when you store the boat for the winter, and you’ll want to check your battery once a month to make sure it stays charged.

Winterizing your engine is a bit more involved, but it’s not that complicated. First, you’ll want to fill up your gas tanks to eliminate moisture build-up over the cold months of winter. Check all of your hoses and connectors to make sure that there aren’t any leaks or deterioration. Change your fuel filter and water separator.

Add fuel stabilizer to your gas tank, and then attach a motor flusher to your garden hose and slide it over the water intake vents on the lower part of the motor. While the water’s running, start the engine and let it idle for 15 minutes. this will ensure that enough fuel stabilizer gets through the entire system. While the engine is running, spray a fogging agent through the carburetors until smoke is visible from the exhaust and the motor kills. This oil will cover everything inside the motor, which helps prevent damage from moisture.

Spin your flywheel a few times by hand to distribute the oil evenly. Check your spark plugs for wear and tear. Coat your entire engine body with a silicone anti-corrosion spray. Again, you don’t want any moisture to adhere to the engine and do any damage.

Drain the lower unit of oil. If it’s cloudy or milky, then you probably have a problem with your seals – you’ll want to bring it in to our shop if that’s the case. You’ll need a certified mechanic to check it out and fix whatever the issue is. Otherwise, put fresh oil into the lower screw hole until it seeps out of the upper screw hole. Replace the top screw, and then the lower.

Remove your propeller and check for weeds or fishing line that might have been tangled on the shaft. Check for damage on your seals. Check the prop for cracks, bends, or breaks. Coat the shaft with lube and then replace the prop.

Thoroughly wash out and dry your bilges and livewells. If there’s any water remaining, it will freeze and lead to damage.

Inspect the bottom and sides of your hull. Check for cracks and inspect your rivets and joints. Repair any minor damage, and if there’s something major, bring your boat into the shop so we can get you fixed up.

As you can see, you can winterize your boat in an afternoon. Sure, it’s a bit of work, but you’re going to extend the life of your boat for years to come, and it’s always a great feeling to uncover a sparkling clean boat when spring rolls around. If you have any other questions about winterizing your boat, please give us a call at 931-906-0002.