Boat Winterization Tips

If you are a boating enthusiast, you know the importance of properly maintaining your craft. Some people take care of their craft only during the boating season and they tend to ignore their vessel during the off-season. You may not spend time on the water during the colder months, but there is still some critical maintenance you’ll need to take care of.

Chatlee Boat & Marine has created this boat winterization guide with some helpful tips. Read on to learn more. If you have any questions about winter boat storage, get in touch with us at our dealership in Sanford, North Carolina.

Cleaning

Regardless of how often you take your boat out, you probably know that it can easily accumulate a lot of gunk. This will eventually damage the paint and cause corrosion. Give your craft a thorough cleaning before you look for winter boat storage options. Start by washing the exterior from front to back. Make sure that there’s no grime or dirt stuck anywhere. Remember to pay attention to smaller areas that tend to get neglected, like between crevices and seats. As for the inside of the vessel, you should remove all gear and equipment before storing it. Once the cleaning is complete, allow it to dry off completely before waxing it.

Oil Change

The next step in the boat winterization process is to change the oil. You can refer to your owner’s manual for precise guidelines regarding your model. Generally speaking, the standard recommendation is to change the oil every 50 to 100 hours of operation. However, when the end goal is winter boat storage, you’ll want to add fresh oil to prevent the internal parts from corroding. This also prevents condensation from forming. After you’re done, you should also change the oil filter. Allow the engine to run for a few minutes so the oil can circulate and lubricate all of the internal parts.

Coolant

If you’re a seasoned boater, this step might seem obvious. It’s worth mentioning that you’ll need to flush the coolant and top it off with fresh antifreeze. Before doing so, check the manufacturer’s dilution recommendations. When the temperatures start to drop during the winter season, the coolant helps prevent the internal parts and tanks from freezing and causing damage to your vessel.

Livewell

Another critical step in boat winterization involves the livewell. After all, it’s just as vulnerable to freezing during the colder months as the coolant is. You may think that emptying the livewell is enough, but there’s always a risk of residual moisture or water building up over time that could lead to bigger problems. As a precaution, you should pump some antifreeze through the livewells before you store your craft.

Storage

The final step is to find an ideal spot to store your boat. Unless you have exclusive access to an indoor garage or a similarly large space for storing your vessel, you should make sure to invest in a breathable cover. This will protect your craft from dust and grime while also preventing moisture from accumulating during the off-season. If you plan to store the craft outdoors, you should apply the cover tightly so that snow, rain, and other elements cannot cause damage. If possible, you should try to check on your boat every so often while it’s in storage.

We hope that this boat winterization guide has been useful. For more tips or if you’re looking for some high-quality boats for sale in Sanford, North Carolina, visit Chatlee Boat & Marine. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you with whatever you need. We proudly serve all those in Raleigh and Greensboro, so stop by today!