When the crisp autumn air settles in, many boat owners recognize it's time to savor those last days on the water—and smart owners know it’s time to start thinking about winter storage.
With all the end-of-season maintenance tasks to check off around the house and in the garage, it can be tempting to simply park your watercraft and forget about it until spring. But failing to properly guard your boat against the coming months of cold, harsh conditions can lead to a world of expensive headaches down the road. Winterization is a necessary part of boat ownership, ensuring that your vessel’s engine, plumbing, and other vital components aren’t left vulnerable to the ravages of freezing temperatures.
Whether you’re new to the lifestyle or just looking for a refresher on the boat winterization process, we’ve got you covered. In this quick guide, you’ll find plenty of helpful boat winter storage tips, as well as some product recommendations that can make this maintenance task feel like less of a chore. Remember, if you order here through Parts Via, you can enjoy FREE shipping to a network dealer near you.
Why Winterize Your Boat
Mother Nature doesn’t play games during the winter months, and her steady onslaught of snow, wind, freezing rain, and frigid temperatures takes a serious toll on anything left outside. In fact, the consequences of skipping boat winterization can be catastrophic—from expensive repairs to the heartbreak of a ruined dream purchase.
When water is left inside your boat’s engine or pipes, it can freeze, expand, and crack important components. Stagnant fuel can degrade, clogging carburetors and fuel injectors, while battery life can be severely diminished by the cold. Even the boat's hull is at risk, with the potential for cracks and structural damage from ice expansion. That’s not even including the corrosion, mold, and mildew that can develop in the cabin, when moisture gets trapped inside.
Proper winterization helps prevent these issues from happening, ensuring your floating fun finder is safe, secure, and ready to hit the water when the first warm breezes of spring finally arrive. Like all good maintenance processes, winterization also extends the life of your investment by minimizing wear and tear caused by idle months.
We know this isn’t the most exciting and glamorous aspect of boat ownership, but it's a critical step that should never be overlooked—so let’s dive into how you can master it.
Prepping Your Boat for Winter Storage
We’ve condensed the winterization process into six simple steps, along with a few additional maintenance tasks to consider for your end-of-season routine. Keep in mind that these guidelines cover the main elements and remain high-level. Always consult your boat’s manufacturer specifications, as they know their products best.
Step 1: Clean
The first step in any good boat winterization regimen is a thorough cleaning. Start by scrubbing down the hull, deck, and all exterior surfaces to remove any built-up grime, salt, or other contaminants. Pay close attention to the nooks and crannies, as these areas can harbor moisture and debris that can lead to corrosion if left unchecked.
For boats stored indoors, a simple soap and water wash may suffice. For those braving the elements outdoors, however, you'll want to use a dedicated marine cleaner to really cut through that stubborn grime. We like Lippert’s Boat Hull Cleaner, as it’s tough on scum but safe on fiberglass, painted surfaces, and other hard exteriors. It’s also environmentally-friendly, free of acid, bleach, and solvents.
Step 2: Drain
Next, inspect the boat's systems and drain any remaining fluids like water, oil, and coolant to prevent degradation over the storage period. We recommend using a 12-volt integrated drain down system to help you quickly and easily flush stale and stagnant water out of your pipes and prevent frost damage during those harsh winter months. The Floë Induratec 636 is affordable and effective, clearing lines in minutes with no need to dismantle your water system. (It’s also great for those who need to winterize their RV this season.)
Step 3: Stabilize
Moisture is a major concern during the boat winterization process—and this extends to any condensation that might form inside your fuel tank, which can cause corrosion. To prevent this, the general rule of thumb is to fill the tank until it’s almost full, leaving just enough space for the fuel to expand if temperatures rise.
Fresh fuel is best, so make the most of your last voyage of the season. When you fill up the tank, be sure to add a marine-grade stabilizer to the fuel (unless you can source ethanol-free gas where you live). These stabilizers are specially designed to prevent gasoline from breaking down and forming gum, varnish, or sludge in your fuel system, which can clog your carburetor, injectors, or fuel lines over time. Once added, run your engine for a few minutes to ensure the treated fuel moves through the system.
Step 4: Disconnect
To protect your boat’s electrical system, disconnect the battery/batteries before winter storage. Start by removing the negative terminal first, followed by the positive. This prevents power from draining while not in use and reduces the risk of any electrical malfunctions. Once disconnected, store the battery/batteries in a cool, dry place that won’t be exposed to freezing temperatures, as cold weather can damage the cells and reduce overall lifespan.
Many boat owners use a trickle charger to prevent discharging and extend battery life; others find removing multiple batteries to be inconvenient and prefer to just plug theirs into an onboard charger for winter. Still, some owners will swear that just topping off once or twice throughout the season is enough. We recommend checking with your boat’s battery manufacturer for guidance here, but if you do go the charger route, we suggest looking at a “smart” model. These devices monitor the batteries and only provide a charge when necessary, preventing overcharging or damage.
Step 5: Protect
The next step is to put your boat’s engine to bed, ensuring it will run smoothly when boating season returns. Using an all-in-one kit, like Star Brite’s Do-It-Yourself Marine Winterizing Kit, makes this process quick and efficient. All you need is a garden hose, flusher attachment, and antifreeze—everything else is in the box, including step-by-step instructions on how to clean, descale, and winterize inboard and outboard engines.
Step 6: Cover
When it comes to winterizing your boat, a high-quality cover plays an important role. Basic, universal-fit covers are the most economical choice, providing decent protection against the elements. However, if you’re looking for more serious protection, consider upgrading to a custom-fit option or even a "semi-custom" cover, which fits certain styles and sizes of boats, as opposed to your specific vessel.
Investing in a quality cover not only shields your boat from rain, snow, and UV damage but also helps keep out dirt, debris, and pests. Be sure to secure the cover properly to withstand winter winds, and be mindful about where you place the boat. Try to find a spot that's level and away from trees or structures that could potentially damage the cover, ideally under some kind of shelter like a carport or pole barn.
For added moisture control, especially in enclosed storage, consider using a dehumidifier to circulate air and reduce humidity, minimizing the risk of mold and mildew. We like the Caframo Limited Stor-Dry, which is compact and low-wattage.
Additional Considerations
In addition to the standard boat winterization process, it's also essential to thoroughly inspect the boat for any signs of leaks or cracks, as even a small issue left unaddressed can lead to major problems down the line. Thoroughly examine hulls, exhaust ports, drain plugs, and bilge pumps for integrity and any signs of wear and tear.
Another key step is to closely inspect your towing equipment. Ensuring that trailers, hitches, and straps are in sound working order will make launching the boat a smooth process come springtime.
Aside from cleaning the boat’s exterior, this is also a good time to apply a protective wax coating that can help shield the hull from the elements and maintain its appearance throughout the winter months.
Additionally, if your boat has below-deck space, it’s important to prepare that as well. Be sure to remove all food and personal items, propping open cabinets and lockers for airflow. As for equipment, drain the freshwater system, water heater, and holding tanks, adding antifreeze as needed. Ensure the bilge pump operates properly and tightly close all ports and hatches to protect against moisture.
Now that you’re ready to winterize, check out Parts Via for a variety of affordable marine supplies and winterization aids to help you get the job done right. Don’t forget to take advantage of the free ship-to-store option at checkout for added convenience!