Boat and Yacht Winterization
While it isn’t exactly fun to winterize your boat or yacht, it’s an important process that needs to be done correctly. While you wait for the boating season to return, you need to be sure that your vessel is safely and securely stored. Remember that inactivity during winter can speed up the wear and tear process on your boat and you definitely don’t want that to happen. At Bassett Yacht and Boat Sales, we want to make sure that your boat remains in the best shape possible, which is why we’ve put together this helpful guide.
If you have further questions, you need boat service, or just want to browse some of our inventory, be sure to stop by Bassett Yacht and boat Sales today! We're conveniently located at 177 Boston Post Rd
Westbrook, CT 06498
Cleaning
Before you think of storing your boat for winter, you’ll need to give it a thorough cleaning first. You can start by scrubbing both the exterior and interior to remove any salt, algae, or grime that might’ve built up during boating season. Don’t forget the smaller spots, like the crevices in between the seats. For the inside of the boat, you’ll need to remove any items like fishing rods, towels, water sports gear, and so on. If you leave these on your boat in the winter time, moisture could become trapped and lead to mildew and mold. After you’ve finished cleaning your boat, allow it to fully dry before moving on to waxing. This might not seem like a necessary step but believe us when we say, this is a very critical step if you plan to store your boat outdoors.
Maintenance
As far as maintenance is concerned, there are a couple things you’ll need to do before you store your boat or yacht for the winter. First, you should change your oil. Any water or acid left behind in the oil can corrode the engine. Be sure to change the filter and flush it out to remove any remaining water before you add fresh oil.
For the cooling system, you should use antifreeze. If you live in an area where you anticipate freezing temperatures, this is an extra important step. Once water freezes, it can expand by 9% and this will likely cause damage to your engine. In order to flush your system, give it a freshwater rinse using flush muffs. Next, circulate the antifreeze through the cooling system until it exits out through the exhaust. By performing a thorough flush to the cooling system, you’ll also help protect your boat against salt corrosion.
While your boat is sitting, oil and lubricants will not be circulated, which could lead to rust and corrosion. Depending on your type of motor, one way to prevent this is by spraying fogging oil into the fuel compartments, carburetors, and cylinders to create a residue that stays in place while the engine remains idle. Fogging oil can protect your engine’s moving parts during the winter. Remember the importance of fuel additives as well. Ethanol gasoline can start to absorb water in as little as 30 days so gasoline stabilizer will protect your tank from freezing condensation. This step also ensures your fuel will be ready to use when boating season returns.
Storage
You’re ready to safely store your boat for the winter. The final steps involve removing the battery, keeping it in a dry, cool place, and connecting it to a trickle charger to maintain the overall health of the battery. If you don’t have a trickle charger, you can charge it regularly once a month instead. Regardless of where you store your boat, it’s a good idea to invest in a breathable cover for your boat. When storing indoors, covers will protect from dust and grime. When storing outdoors, the cover should be applied nice and tight so that snow, rain, and other elements cannot get onto the boat.