How To Prepare A Boat For Winter
As the boating season winds down and the cold temperatures begin to take over, it is essential to prepare your boat for winter storage. Properly winterizing your vessel ensures it’s protected from the harsh winter elements – this will protect against costly damage and makes sure you and your vessel are ready to hit the water when spring returns!
Below you’ll find a rough step-by-step guide to walk you through the winterizing process.
Why Do You Need to Winterise Your Boat?
Boats are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures, moisture buildup and corrosion during the winter season. Winterising your vessel it helps protect important systems from damages such as:
- Frozen engines: Water left in the engine or cooling system can freeze and expand, damaging key components.
- Plumbing leaks: Freshwater systems and toilets can crack if water isn’t properly drained or treated with antifreeze.
- Fuel degradation: Unstabilised fuel can clog lines and filters, damaging the engine and reducing performance.
- Mold and mildew: Damp interiors can lead to mould, mildew, and unpleasant odours if left untreated.
By taking the time to winterize you can avoid these costly repairs and keep your boat in its best condition! Take a look at our full boat winterizing product range to help you prepare your boat for the cold season.
Winterizing Your Boat Step by Step
Before starting the winterizing process, clean your boat thoroughly, inside and out.
- Exterior wash: Clean the hull to remove salt, grime and marine growth. Apply a fresh coat of wax to give it an extra layer of protection.
- Interior cleaning: Empty and clean all lockers, cupboards, and storage spaces. Remove electronics, cushions and personal items for storage in a dry location.
- Inspect for damage: Check the hull for any cracks or damage and make repairs before storing.
Your boat’s engine is one of the most expensive components, it is key to protect it from any winter damage.
- Flush the engine: Use fresh water to flush out any salt or debris from the cooling system. This prevents corrosion and buildup over the winter.
- Drain the cooling system: Remove any water from the engine and cooling system. For inboard engines, drain the water of circulate marine-grade antifreeze to prevent freezing.
- Change the oil and filter: Warm the engine to thin the oil, then drain it completely and replace the oil filter. Fresh oil protects against corrosion caused by moisture.
- Fuel stabilisation: Add fuel stabiliser to your fuel tank and run the engine for a few minutes to circulate the treated fuel through the system. This prevents fuel from degrading and clogging fuel lines.
- Fogging Oil: For inboard and outboard engines, spray fogging oil into the intake or spark plug holes to coat internal components and prevent rust.
Frozen pipes and water systems can lead to major leaks and damage.
- Drain water tanks: Completely drain your freshwater tanks, hot water heaters, and any pipes.
- Add Antifreeze: Pump non-toxic, marine-grade antifreeze through all the freshwater systems, including sinks, showers and toilets. This will prevent any remaining water from freezing and causing cracks.
- Empty and Winterize the Head: Pump out the holding tank and flush the system with the antifreeze to protect the toilet and waste pipes.
The vessel’s electrical system also needs protection from the cold and inactivity.
- Remove and store batteries: Disconnect batteries and store them in a cool, dry location. Keep them charged periodically to avoid depletion.
- Check electrical connections: Grease electrical terminals and connections with dielectric grease to prevent corrosion. We recommend using Liqui Moly battery terminal grease.
Avoiding mould and mildew buildup is essential for maintaining your boat’s condition, eliminating moisture from the boat’s interior is key.
- Dry everything: Make sure all cushions, fabric materials, carpets, etc., are thoroughly dry before storage.
- Dehumidifiers and Absorbers: Place moisture absorbers or a dehumidifier in the cabin to prevent condensation.
- Ventilation: Ensure good ventilation throughout the boat, but keep hatches and ports slightly open to allow air circulation while preventing water intrusion.
The vessel’s exterior will face the most stress of the winter’s elements, so it’s essential to prepare it properly.
- Inspect the Hull: Check for any cracks, chips, or damage. Repair them before storage to prevent water ingress and freezing expansion.
- Wax the Hull: Apply a fresh coat of wax to protect the boat’s finish from snow, ice, and UV damage.
- Cover the Boat: Use a high-quality, breathable boat cover or opt for shrink-wrapping to shield your vessel from the elements. Ensure that water can’t pool on the cover by using support poles or a frame.
See our range of marine sealants, fillers and resins here.
With your boat cleaned, winterized, and covered, you’re almost ready for storage.
- Inspect the Bilge: Make sure the bilge is dry and that the bilge pump is working properly in case of rain or snowmelt.
- Store Your Boat Properly: Whether you’re storing your boat in the water, on a lift, or on land, ensure it’s in a secure, dry location. For outdoor storage, use jack stands or a trailer to support the hull and prevent stress points.
Taking the time to properly winterize your vessel will save you headaches, repairs and money in the long run. When spring arrives, you’ll be glad you took the extra steps to ensure your boat is ready to sail.
If you have any further questions or queries regarding boat winterizing products please call us (02392 219433) or visit to our Port Solent store where our sales team will be happy to assist!
*Please note this is general advice, specific guidance may vary vessel to vessel.*