Your Boat

When the winter comes it’s time to prep your boat for winter storage. This can be a long process, but it’s important for the health and longevity of your boat. Thoroughly clean all parts of your boat – This includes the hull, propellers, and shafts. Also, inspect and clean all cabinetry and upholstery to ensure they’re in good condition .Drain your bilge and motor thoroughly to prevent freezing. Water buildup in these components can cause corrosion or break down the hull, which isn’t what you want.

Wash and wax your boat – This will help to keep it looking good for the next season. You can also give the hull one last wax or gel coat for added protection. Depending on your climate, shrink-wrapping your boat may be necessary to protect it from damage while it’s in winter storage. It can be expensive, but it’s an effective way to prevent rust and other issues from developing while you’re out of the water. If you are looking to maximize your boat lifetime potential and value, there are a few important steps that need to be taken. This will allow you to enjoy your vessel for years to come.

enjoy

If you want to enjoy your boat for many springs to come, it important to properly maintain and store it for longevity. This can mean shrink wrapping your boat, using a canvas cover or storing it in a heated or enclosed storage facility. Draining all water from the engine, bilges, tanks, bilge pump and other components that could hold water is another critical component of winterizing your boat. Even the smallest amount of water left in these areas can cause major problems for your boat.

electrical system

The battery is the heart of your boat electrical system, so it important to properly maintain and store it for longevity. This can help extend its life, and will save you money in the long run! Regular top-ups of the electrolyte will help to keep your batteries running well. You should check them monthly, but in hot weather or when they have been sitting for a while they might need topping up more frequently.

Additionally, it is essential to remove and dispose of all contaminated fuel and add stabilizer to your gas tank to prevent rust and corrosion in the winter. Performing these simple steps can help you avoid costly repairs in the spring.

season

It is time for the boating season to begin, and with it comes the need to properly maintain and store your boat for longevity. You want to do everything you can to make sure your boat is ready for the first warm day of spring when it’s finally time to get out on the water again.

exterior

This is also the time to check your boat’s interior and exterior for damage that could worsen over the winter, like rotting hulls or mold. It’s important to fix any issues before they become bigger problems in the spring.

hydrometer-style

One way to do this is by using a hydrometer-style battery tester. Each cell in your battery bank will give a reading within about 0.04 of the other cells, so if any give significantly different results, it likely that there is an issue with one or more of them.

Monitoring

It also worth monitoring the battery levels throughout their normal use â€“ if a bank of them suddenly drops in capacity, this could indicate a problem that requires intervention.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to coat your terminal bolts with corrosion inhibitor so that they don’t become rusty during storage. If you have a trickle charger, be sure to put your batteries on it once a month during the winter to keep them in peak condition.

terminal bolts

Good idea

It’s also a good idea to remove and replace batteries from your boat before you put them away for the winter. This will help to keep your battery in top shape over the winter.