10 Essential Tips for Storing Your Boat This Winter

After a summer of boating adventures, it's time to prepare your vessel for winter storage. Unlike cars, boats have numerous exposed components vulnerable to corrosion, freezing, and weather damage. Without proper winterization, you're looking at expensive repairs come spring.

Whether you're storing indoors, outdoors, or at a marina, these essential steps will protect your investment through the cold months ahead.

Choosing Your Storage Location

Indoor storage offers the best protection but costs more. Climate control eliminates weather concerns entirely.

Outdoor storage is more affordable but requires extra protective measures. A quality boat cover becomes essential.

Dry stack storage at marinas offers convenience and reasonable protection with professional staff often available.

In-water storage is not recommended due to weather exposure, sinking risk, and theft vulnerability.

10 Steps to Winterize Your Boat

1. Final Run and Inspection

Take your boat out one last time. Run the engine and listen for unusual sounds or performance issues that need addressing during the off-season. Inspect the hull thoroughly for cracks, which will worsen over winter if left unrepaired.

2. Drain All Water Systems

Remove your boat from the water and drain the bilge, water tanks, head, pipes, and seacocks. Raise the bow if possible to accelerate drainage. Spray the bilge with moisture-displacing lubricant and add marine-grade antifreeze to prevent freezing damage.

3. Deep Clean Inside and Out

Thoroughly scrub your entire boat with marine soap. Remove barnacles and plant life from the hull. Clean every locker, drawer, and compartment. Allow the boat to dry completely, repair any fiberglass blistering, then apply quality marine wax to the hull and superstructure for winter protection.

4. Winterize the Engine

Flush the engine and cooling system with freshwater to remove salt and dirt. Refill with marine antifreeze. Warm up the engine briefly, then change the oil and replace all filters. Check old oil for milky appearance indicating water intrusion.

Apply fogging oil into the carburetor and spark plug holes. Remove or loosen drive belts to prevent cracking. Top off your fuel tank and add stabilizer, then run the engine for 15 minutes to distribute it throughout the fuel system.

5. Change Oil and Coolant

Fresh oil prevents corrosive moisture buildup. Water in oil can corrode engine components over winter. Drain and refresh the coolant system with proper antifreeze concentration to prevent freezing and corrosion.

6. Lubricate Moving Parts

Grease the steering system and all control mechanisms. Apply moisture-displacing lubricant to hinges, latches, and moving metal parts. Remove the propeller, inspect for fishing line and seal damage, lubricate the shaft, and reinstall.

7. Remove and Maintain the Battery

Disconnect and remove the battery. Charge it to 100%, clean the terminals, and coat them with dielectric grease. Store in a warm, dry location and charge periodically throughout winter. Don't reinstall until spring.

8. Remove Sensitive Materials

Remove life jackets, fire extinguishers, cushions, and canvas. Organic materials develop mildew in damp conditions. Remove all electronics vulnerable to extreme cold and wrap exposed cable ends with electrical tape. Store in a warm, dry place.

9. Seal and Cover Your Boat

Seal exhaust ports with duct tape to prevent pests from nesting. Protect your boat with a quality winter cover or consider shrink-wrapping for harsh climates. Check regularly and remove snow buildup.

Mount the boat on proper supports with the bow slightly elevated. Avoid leaving it on the trailer long-term as tires and bearings deteriorate. Use a dehumidifier if storing indoors.

10. Perform Regular Winter Checks

Check your boat every few weeks. Inspect for problems, verify the cover is secure, and remove pooled water. If you stored the battery separately, verify it's maintaining charge. Address issues immediately rather than letting them worsen.

Final Thoughts

If this is your first winter or you're uncertain about any steps, hire a professional winterization service. Always consult your owner's manual for boat-specific requirements.

Proper winter storage means your boat will be ready when warm weather returns. You'll avoid the spring rush at repair shops and won't face surprise costs from preventable damage. The time you invest in winterization directly translates to more time on the water next season.