Boats are often at the highest risk of water damage during winter. Frozen water can cause breakages and corrosion, costing thousands of dollars in repairs. Properly winterizing your boat is the only way to prevent irreversible damage and prolong its life. In this article, we discuss the detailed process required to protect your boat from winter weather.

A Guide to Winterizing Your Boat

It’s essential to consult the owner’s manual before winterizing your boat, as it can help you determine what to prioritize. The winterization process includes these steps:

1. Engine Maintenance

Your boat’s engine is its heart. It must be well maintained to stay in good shape for many seasons. To protect your boat’s engine throughout the winter, you must:

  • Add a stabilizer to unused fuel to prevent it from forming varnish deposits on the fuel system.
  • Change the engine and filter oil to prevent water and acid from corroding the engine. For inboards, outboards and stern drives, drain the engine.
  • Fog the engine to prevent corrosion.
  • Lubricate all pivots and gears with oil and grease.
  • Remove, clean and lubricate the propellers and store them properly.
  • Run antifreeze through your engine block to prevent residual water from freezing, expanding and cracking the block.
  • Remove or disconnect the battery if you’re keeping your boat in storage.

2. Internal and External Maintenance

After the engine is winterized, it’s time to prepare internal and external boat systems for the winter. You should:

  • Check for cracks and dents that might allow water to collect inside the boat. Seal them and give your boat a fresh layer of wax to protect it from the elements.
  • Turn off and drain your water heater and system before running them with non-toxic antifreeze.
  • Give your boat a thorough power wash and remove any rugs or other material that can develop mildew.

3. Storage

After the winterization process is complete, you need to make sure your boat is stored correctly. This involves covering it with a strong tarp. Ensure there is enough ventilation to minimize any trapped moisture that accumulates.

Are You Looking for Boat Repair and Marine Services in Vancouver?

Winterization is a complicated and delicate task. It’s essential to hire a winterization expert to get it done right.

At OS Marine Maintenance & Repair Services, our professional marine technicians provide reliable and high-quality boat winterization and maintenance services. We have years of experience supplying winterization services to clients all over Vancouver.

Call us at 1.778.237.3565 or fill out our online contact form to request a quote.