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The Cold, Hard Facts About Winterizing Your Boat
by Flori Bootley
http://www.flboats.com
The vast majority of us only have to worry about
winterizing our cars, trucks and lawn mowers. But the lucky
(?) few who own boats also have to worry about what will
happen to their motorized boats during the winter months.
Just because they took them out of the water doesn't mean
they can forget about them. They still have to prepare the
boats for the cold weather and icy storms of winter.
Some boats are even too large to be removed from the water
during the winter months, or the owner doesn't have a dry
storage for it and leaves it in the water. In this case the
boat owner must make sure to check on it frequently and
be careful about an ice build-up around the boat. You don't
want to let this happen because it can damage the boat. A
de-icer should be used to prevent this icing.
Check the fuel tank if you store your boat out of the water
for the winter. During cold weather, do not leave it empty
because condensation builds up within the gas tank and
causes internal rusting. Add a stabilizer to the fuel and
fill the tank up. This will protect the engine from
condensation. You can add further protection by changing
the filter and water separator.
Boats need the same protection with a non-toxic
antifreeze and a good flush-out as cars do during the
winter months. Just as you add antifreeze to your cars and
trucks, you'll have to do the same for your boat. You will
end up with expensive problems in the spring, if you forget
this step for your boats, just as you would with your car.
Better to protect your engine system from freezing.
Engine preparation is just as important as the
consideration that you give to the gas tank. In order to
ensure that it will weather the winter months, flush the
system with fresh water (and grease, if necessary) and top
it off with a fresh filter and clean oil. This will not
only prepare it for winter storage, but will offer a boat
that~s ready to hit the water when the warm weather rolls
around.
It's a lot easier to inspect the boat and find out what
needs to be repaired when the boat is not in use. The off
season is the best time for this to avoid surprises when
you're underway. Get out a scrub bucket for a thorough
interior cleaning job. To prevent mold and mildew from
growing, put a dehumidifier in the boat over the winter.
A boat is a big investment, and the responsibility for its
care commands a great investment of your time and
attention, as well. Don~t take shortcuts or count on luck
to keep your boat safe and incident-free during the coldest
months of the year. Only through careful planning and
proper winterization will you be assured of continued
enjoyment when boating season comes along once again.
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