Winterizing Your Boat

As the temperatures drop and the winds pick up, boat owners everywhere heave a sigh and begin the process of storing their boats for the winter season. However, you can’t just tuck your boat in the garage or leave it on its trailer in the driveway for months. You’ll come back in the spring to a rusty boat full of mildew, dead leaves and malfunctioning equipment. Winterizing your boat is a reasonably simple process that will save you time in the spring, so it’s important you understand all the steps. Read this guide by Grand Bay Marine so you can get everything done properly. Our dealership has locations in Traverse City and Charlevoix to serve all our northern Michigan customers.

Clean Your Boat Thoroughly

Your first step with boat winterization should be to thoroughly clean her. Scrub both the interior and exterior to remove salt, grime, algae and dirt that’s built up during boating season. Get into every crevice.

Your boat’s interior needs to be cleared out of all the items you used over the summer. This includes towels, fishing rods, skis and more. These items could trap water on your boat that will become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Once you’ve cleaned your boat inside and out, let her dry completely to prevent trapped moisture. Wax your boat’s hull to keep it from developing rust, particularly if you plan to store your boat outside.

Care For The Engine

Your boat’s exterior is not the only thing that needs attention when you’re winterizing your boat. You’ll want to thoroughly prepare the engine for storage as well. Change the oil before storing your boat because water and acids left in old oil can corrode the boat’s engine over time. Be sure to change the filter as well and flush out remaining water before refilling it with fresh oil.

Anti-freezing your boat’s cooling system is good to do if you live in places with below-freezing winter temperatures. As water freezes, it expands, which can damage any components it’s near, particularly in tight spaces. Use flush muffs and fresh water to rinse your system before you circulate antifreeze through until it leaves via the exhaust. A thorough engine flushing will also rid your boat of any saltwater remnants, which will corrode your engine if left inside.

Because your engine will be sitting without power all season, it won’t circulate oil and lubricants, leaving it vulnerable to corrosion. Fogging oil can be sprayed in some fuel compartments, carburetors and cylinders, depending on your engine type. This substance coats everything with a film that protects your engine’s moving parts during the cold of winter.

Fuel additives will stabilize your boat’s gasoline, which begins to absorb water and break down after about thirty days if left unused. A fuel additive can protect your tank from developing frozen condensation.

Remove your boat’s battery and put it on a tender or trickle charger in a dry, cool space. Leaving your battery on board will let it discharge completely and it may not hold a charge come spring. 

Safely Storing Your Boat

Whether you store your boat indoors or outdoors, you’ll want to invest in a well-fitting cover to protect it. When storing your boat indoors, this will keep dust and debris off it. A waterproof cover applied snugly on your boat outdoors will protect it from rain and snow. It’s best to store your boat indoors in a shed or garage if you can, to protect it from temperature shifts and weather, but a breathable and strong cover will work well for outdoor storage.

While taking the time to get your boat ready for winter storage can seem arduous, it’s worthwhile and will actually save you time in the spring. You won’t have to get expensive repairs caused by weather damage. Looking for a great deal on a boat? Visit one of our two dealerships in Traverse City and Charlevoix to see our wide selection of new and used boats for sale. Grand Bay Marine additionally serves the cities of Torch Lake, Boyne and Elk Rapids, Michigan.