How to winterize a boat

Recreational

5 min read

Winterizing a boat involves several steps. Make sure all water (fresh and raw) is removed from your watercraft's systems to protect it from freeze damage. Stabilize the fuel in your tank to keep it from degrading. Grease all fittings/shafts and change gear fluids in your boat's lower units and outdrives. Cover the vessel to keep water, snow, and debris from causing damage to the topsides as well as preventing rodents, birds, and other animals from sneaking aboard.

It's a good idea to frequently check your boat during the winter months to ensure your storage plan is effective. If you aren't comfortable winterizing your watercraft on your own, hire a professional. Your boat is an investment and protecting it in the offseason is critical.

When should you winterize your boat?

Boats should be winterized before temperatures fall below freezing in colder climates. If your boat is stored in a warm climate, you should still follow the same practices to keep your boat in a well-maintained condition and help protect it from an unexpected freeze.

What do you need to winterize a boat?

Here are the supplies needed to store a boat outside in winter:

  • Potable antifreeze (for freshwater systems and heating and air conditioning)
  • Fuel stabilizer
  • Gear fluid
  • Boat cover
  • Fogging spray, grease, and a spray protectant (such as WD-40 or a similar product)

Steps to winterizing a boat

Here are the steps to follow and what to do to winterize a boat:

1. Remove water

Fresh or raw water in any system, such as engines, generators, faucets, showers, air conditioning/heating units, and filters, needs to be removed completely to prevent freeze damage and corrosion. Waste tanks holding grey and/or black water should be pumped out at your marina prior to storing your watercraft. Review you hull manufacturer's recommendations for the exact process. This is the most important step in the process and should be performed by a professional if you're uncomfortable doing it yourself.

2. Stabilize your fuel

Follow your engine manufacturer's recommended procedures for treating your engine type. The goal is to prevent moisture from collecting in your tank and water contaminating the fuel during the storage period, which can damage the engine. Filling your fuel tank lessens the amount of space for condensation to form. Add the appropriate amount of stabilizer based on how much fuel you're treating, along with changing fuel filters. Do this prior to the final running of your engine before you store your watercraft, so the stabilizer has a chance to enter the engine's fuel system.

3. Install a fitted cover or shrink-wrap your boat

Keeping water, snow, debris, and critters away from your vessel is healthy for the hull appearance as well as the overall condition of the systems that are exposed to weather.

4. Complete regular inspections

Even in temperate areas, be sure to perform offseason checks.

Do you need to winterize your boat?

Winterizing your boat is important no matter what kind of climate it’s stored in, but it's crucial in areas of the country prone to freezing temperatures. Freeze damage, which isn't typically covered by boat insurance, can be costly for boat owners. Discuss winterizing with your marina or servicing shop and implement the steps so your watercraft is protected during the offseason.