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The Boater’s Guide To Winterization

Aug. 14 2022 Miscellaneous By Main Channel Marina

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The kids are heading back to school and Halloween candy has already hit the shelves. While it still feels like summer, fall will be here before you know it. You may not want to think about pulling your boat out for the winter just yet, but having a plan in place is the most crucial part of winterizing your boat.

What Is Winterization?

Your boat is made for the water, but when the temperatures dip, water is not your boat’s friend. Winterizing your boat is the process by which you remove any water from areas that could be damaged by freezing temperatures. Water left in or on your boat can cause issues like:

  • mold
  • mildew
  • corrosion
  • engine damage
  • damage to ballast systems

These sneaky cold-weather issues are why it’s critical to make sure your boat is ready for hibernation. You don’t want to be stuck making repairs or waiting on mechanics during the busiest time of the year while you should be out on the water next spring.

To learn more about why winterizing is so important, check out our post on de-winterizing and find out why spring is made easier when proper steps are taken at the end of the season.

How To Winterize Your Boat

Winterizing properly is more than just throwing a tarp over your boat or emptying and flushing fuel lines. When winterizing your boat for storage, your main areas of focus should be the engine, fuel system, plumbing, and the interior and exterior.

Your owner’s manual may have specific manufacturer recommendations and guides for the winterizing process. These suggestions may also change depending on what type of boat you have.

  • Engine: Be sure water is removed from the engine followed by corrosion protection. You may also need to perform fogging of your engine (your owner’s manual will provide instructions if this is necessary). It is also best practice to change the oil, filter, transmission fluid, and lower unit lube in the fall before storing your watercraft depending on what may apply to your specific watercraft.
  • Fuel System: Add fuel stabilizer to the tank before idling the engine to help distribute the stabilizer throughout the system. Changing your fuel filters can also help
  • Plumbing System: Draining the sinks and tanks will prevent damage and adding antifreeze will add another layer of protection. Be sure all other pumps and wells are emptied of water and drain plugs are removed.
  • Interior and Exterior: Protect your vinyl from dry winter air with a vinyl cleaner and protectant. You may choose to remove some of your boat’s electronics to protect them from corrosion caused by harsh winter weather. Your boat should be covered or shrink-wrapped as it sits during the off-season.

Once you’ve performed all the necessary interior and exterior maintenance and preparation, it’s time to decide where to put your boat during the off-season.

Winter Storage Options

Securing appropriate storage for winter can take some time and planning, which is why it’s important to start early. There are many factors to consider, like the size and type of boat you own, what access you’d like to your boat, how far you are from storage facilities, costs and fees, etc.

Here are the most common winter boat storage options:

  • Outdoor Dry Boat Storage: A safe and popular option is dry boat storage outdoors. Your boat will be completely winterized and stored in a secure outdoor location at a boat yard, marina, or storage facility.
  • Indoor Dry Boat Storage: Boats are stored indoors on large racks after the winterization process. While this offers the most protection for your boat, it’s also a more costly option.

Of course, you can store your boat on your own property (outdoors, in a garage or barn) or make alternative arrangements, however, if all of that seems like a lot of work and beyond your ability, that’s okay.

Professional storage options don’t require you to become a mechanic and you can rest easy knowing your boat is being properly cared for during the off-season.

Why Choose Professional Storage?

All good things must come to an end and here in the Midwest that unfortunately includes warm weather days spent on the water. Don’t cut your summer boating season short attempting to DIY winterization. Let us do the dirty work for you!

At Main Channel, you’ll have access to a team of skilled professionals that know the best way to care for and store your boat. 

Our professional storage solutions include:

  • Indoor Dry Boat Storage ($26/ft with additional fees for boats over 25’)
  • Indoor PWC Storage (starts at $300)
  • Outside storage (begins at $200)
  • Shrink wrap (begins at $13.50/ft with additional fees for removal and disposal)

Get in touch with the pros at Main Channel today to reserve storage for your boat this winter and enjoy the rest of the season.