Winterizing Your Boat
While winter boating provides a unique and wonderful experience, it’s not for everyone. Many boaters choose to store their boat away for the winter. If you choose to go this route, there are several steps you need to take in order to prepare your vessel for winter storage. Otherwise, your boat can suffer serious damage and deterioration. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this guide to winterizing your boat from the experts at Prestige Water Sports.
Where to Store Your Boat
Your first step will be to find a good location to store your boat. If possible, you should try to find a place that offers some protection. While keeping your vessel in your driveway is the easiest and cheapest option, it also doesn’t offer much in the way of protection. Storing your boat in your garage is a little better, but not everyone has that much space to spare. Many boat owners choose to rent space in a storage facility. Though one of the more costly options, storage facilities offer great security and protection from environmental conditions.
Inspect, Clean, and Empty
Once you’ve picked a location, it’s time to inspect your boat for any signs of leakage, corrosion, or other damage. Any maintenance issues your boat has when you store it will inevitably become worse by the time you take it out again. It’s also a good idea to give your boat a quick cleaning. Finally, remove any personal belongings before putting your boat into storage. This is especially true of things like dock lines, fire extinguishers, flares, and life jackets that need to be stored at room temperature. Don’t forget to allow your vessel to fully dry before you put it away.
Change the Oil
Condensation can form in your boat’s oil supply while it is in storage. Prevent this by doing an oil change before storing your vessel. Start by running your engine for a full minute to lower the oil’s viscosity, and then shut it down. Replace the oil and filter before running your engine for another minute to circulate the new oil.
Cover
When it comes to winterizing your boat, a good cover is your best friend. Not only does it protect your boat from weather if you store it outside, but it can also help keep dust and pests out of your vessel if you choose to store it inside.
For help winterizing your boat or to view our inventory of new and pre-owned boat models, visit Prestige Water Sports in Boise, Idaho. We also offer servicing, parts ordering, boat storage, financing, and trade-ins. We are proud to serve communities like Twin Falls and Nampa, Idaho, and we hope to see you soon.