Time to winterize your boat! Here are some tips and resources to get you started.
In water or on shore?
Many unfortunate boaters whose boats sink every winter have one thing in common: they have failed to protect the thru-hulls by closing the seacocks and gate valves. Unless you enjoy having your boat on the bottom and the expense and time-consuming effort to raise her, close all thru-hulls except for the cockpit drains.
According to BoatU.S.: “All thru-hulls, especially the ones for the cockpit drains, must be double-clamped with stainless steel hose clamps at each end. When water freezes, it expands and will lift a poorly secured hose off of a fitting. The hose itself is also important. Lightweight hose and PVC tubing can rupture or crack. Use only a heavily reinforced hose, especially at cockpit drains.”
Although it’s the safest bet for not sinking your boat, storing her ashore adds extra exposure and vulnerability to cold air. True, your hull will develop fewer blisters than one left in the water; it’s also true that your engine and freshwater systems will get colder faster. It’s important to winterize them.
Engine care
When engines run, they are “happiest.” Engines that sit idle in frigid temperatures are headed for trouble. Many insurance policies do not cover frozen or cracked engine blocks, so this is critical. If your owner’s manual includes winterization procedures, follow those.
For most engines, other than your regular lubricants, you will need an aerosol can of fogging oil, a fuel stabilizer (gasoline engines) or a fuel biocide (diesel engines), and for inboards, a gallon or two of non-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze (the pink, not green stuff). The basic procedure for most engines is to flush with freshwater, empty fuel lines and carburetors, fog the carburetor intakes, drain cooling passages, fog the cylinders, and lubricate. For a detailed downloadable checklist from BoatU.S., click here.
What to take home
Dismount electronics and take them and any other valuables home for safekeeping during those winter months during which your marina can be too quiet. Why invite theft?
Remove from the boat anything that’s scary to light a match to: cooking fuels, charcoal, coatings, and paint thinners. Don’t leave propane canisters lying around, as they may rust or leak. Do leave one functioning fire extinguisher within reach. While you are checking that off your list, check its charging status and the expiration date on your flares.
Some people like to remove their cushions from the boat; others advise leaving them propped up at odd angles to the furniture to let air circulate and fend off mildew growth. If you leave sheets or towels on the boat, putting air freshener sheets in between them keeps them fresher.
Take off all canned foods or bottled drinks. They can freeze, which may break their seals and cause a huge mess.
Cover up, clean up
Over the years, many marina managers have told us how many boats they have seen decay because their owners chose cheap tarps as winter storage covers. Your gel coat and boat overall will thank you if you invest in a good synthetic, or even better, a longer-lasting canvas cover. Frame up the cover to allow circulation and prevent water pooling. Another option, and a very good one if well-vented, is to shrink wrap your boat and keep her as protected as your holiday fruitcake basket.
Although the bimini makes a terrific July sunshade, do not expect it to protect your boat from freezing rain and snow; it’s best stowed below or in a dry place on land. Winter is a great season to have biminis cleaned.
Clean up your trailer in the fall. Clean the hubs with kerosene and butyl alcohol before repacking with grease. Sand, prime, and paint rusted areas; inspect your tires; remove the wheels; and add support at the blocks under the frame rails to minimize sagging and discourage theft.
Visit your friend
You love your boat, right? Check in on those you love. Visit your boat at least once a month during the winter, especially before and after harsh weather, or ask a friend or marina manager to check on her.
Why does water expand when it freezes?
“If you’ve ever seen the picture of a water molecule, it looks like a Mickey Mouse head with an oxygen molecule where Mickey Mouse’s face is, and then two hydrogen atoms where his ears are. The oxygen atom is slightly negative, and the hydrogens are slightly positively charged, so water molecules tend to stick together forming what are called hydrogen bonds.
“Because of that shape of the molecule, the way water molecules tend to link together is actually a very open structure with big holes. There’s a lot of extra ‘empty’ space. When water freezes, it releases energy because a lot of extra strong bonds can be made. It does take up more space. And so, ice expands when it freezes.” (from the University of Cambridge’s thenakedscientists.com)
After analyzing 10 years of freeze claims, BoatU.S. Marine Insurance found that more than three quarters of claims involved cracks in the engine block or the exhaust manifolds that occurred because water remained in the engine or cooling system during a hard freeze. You must drain water out of your engine in winter. See your engine owner’s manual or consult a professional to learn how.
Find a free, downloadable winterization guide by BoatU.S. here.
In water or on shore?
Many unfortunate boaters whose boats sink every winter have one thing in common: they have failed to protect the thru-hulls by closing the seacocks and gate valves. Unless you enjoy having your boat on the bottom and the expense and time-consuming effort to raise her, close all thru-hulls except for the cockpit drains.
According to BoatU.S.: “All thru-hulls, especially the ones for the cockpit drains, must be double-clamped with stainless steel hose clamps at each end. When water freezes, it expands and will lift a poorly secured hose off of a fitting. The hose itself is also important. Lightweight hose and PVC tubing can rupture or crack. Use only a heavily reinforced hose, especially at cockpit drains.”
Although it’s the safest bet for not sinking your boat, storing her ashore adds extra exposure and vulnerability to cold air. True, your hull will develop fewer blisters than one left in the water; it’s also true that your engine and freshwater systems will get colder faster. It’s important to winterize them.
Engine care
When engines run, they are “happiest.” Engines that sit idle in frigid temperatures are headed for trouble. Many insurance policies do not cover frozen or cracked engine blocks, so this is critical. If your owner’s manual includes winterization procedures, follow those.
For most engines, other than your regular lubricants, you will need an aerosol can of fogging oil, a fuel stabilizer (gasoline engines) or a fuel biocide (diesel engines), and for inboards, a gallon or two of non-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze (the pink, not green stuff). The basic procedure for most engines is to flush with freshwater, empty fuel lines and carburetors, fog the carburetor intakes, drain cooling passages, fog the cylinders, and lubricate. For a detailed downloadable checklist from BoatU.S., click here.
What to take home
Dismount electronics and take them and any other valuables home for safekeeping during those winter months during which your marina can be too quiet. Why invite theft?
Remove from the boat anything that’s scary to light a match to: cooking fuels, charcoal, coatings, and paint thinners. Don’t leave propane canisters lying around, as they may rust or leak. Do leave one functioning fire extinguisher within reach. While you are checking that off your list, check its charging status and the expiration date on your flares.
Some people like to remove their cushions from the boat; others advise leaving them propped up at odd angles to the furniture to let air circulate and fend off mildew growth. If you leave sheets or towels on the boat, putting air freshener sheets in between them keeps them fresher.
Take off all canned foods or bottled drinks. They can freeze, which may break their seals and cause a huge mess.
Cover up, clean up
Over the years, many marina managers have told us how many boats they have seen decay because their owners chose cheap tarps as winter storage covers. Your gel coat and boat overall will thank you if you invest in a good synthetic, or even better, a longer-lasting canvas cover. Frame up the cover to allow circulation and prevent water pooling. Another option, and a very good one if well-vented, is to shrink wrap your boat and keep her as protected as your holiday fruitcake basket.
Although the bimini makes a terrific July sunshade, do not expect it to protect your boat from freezing rain and snow; it’s best stowed below or in a dry place on land. Winter is a great season to have biminis cleaned.
Clean up your trailer in the fall. Clean the hubs with kerosene and butyl alcohol before repacking with grease. Sand, prime, and paint rusted areas; inspect your tires; remove the wheels; and add support at the blocks under the frame rails to minimize sagging and discourage theft.
Visit your friend
You love your boat, right? Check in on those you love. Visit your boat at least once a month during the winter, especially before and after harsh weather, or ask a friend or marina manager to check on her.
Why does water expand when it freezes?
“If you’ve ever seen the picture of a water molecule, it looks like a Mickey Mouse head with an oxygen molecule where Mickey Mouse’s face is, and then two hydrogen atoms where his ears are. The oxygen atom is slightly negative, and the hydrogens are slightly positively charged, so water molecules tend to stick together forming what are called hydrogen bonds.
“Because of that shape of the molecule, the way water molecules tend to link together is actually a very open structure with big holes. There’s a lot of extra ‘empty’ space. When water freezes, it releases energy because a lot of extra strong bonds can be made. It does take up more space. And so, ice expands when it freezes.” (from the University of Cambridge’s thenakedscientists.com)
After analyzing 10 years of freeze claims, BoatU.S. Marine Insurance found that more than three quarters of claims involved cracks in the engine block or the exhaust manifolds that occurred because water remained in the engine or cooling system during a hard freeze. You must drain water out of your engine in winter. See your engine owner’s manual or consult a professional to learn how.
Find a free, downloadable winterization guide by BoatU.S. here.