As the boating season winds down, itâs time to start thinking about winterizing your boat. Taking a little extra care now will save you from headachesâand costly repairsâwhen spring rolls around. At Vico Marine Products, weâre all about helping you keep your boat in top shape with high-quality products and trusted advice. So, grab a warm drink, settle in, and letâs walk through some simple steps to get your boat ready for hibernation.
1. Give Your Boat a Good Clean
- Wash the motor and hull:Â Start by washing away any dirt, salt, and grime from the season. A clean boat not only looks good but also prevents corrosion during storage.
- Wax on:Â Adding a coat of wax to the hull and painted motor surfaces will protect them from the elements and make spring cleanup easier.
- Cover up:Â Use a breathable cover to keep dust and moisture out while preventing mold and mildew. Itâs worth the investment!
2. Show Your Propeller Some Love
- Remove and inspect:Â Take off the propeller and check for any dings or cracks. If itâs damaged, nowâs the time to repair or replace it.
- Grease the shaft:Â Clean the propeller shaft and apply some protective grease to keep rust at bay.
3. Keep Moisture and Mold Away
- De-icing device:Â If your boatâs staying in the water, a de-icer can prevent ice from forming around the hull.
- Fight mildew:Â Stash a few dehumidifiers or mothballs in enclosed areas to ward off that musty smell.
- Dry the bilges:Â Make sure bilges are clean and completely dry. Remove the bilge drain plug and attach it to the steering wheel as a reminder to put it back in the spring.
4. Take Care of the Electrical System
- Inspect the wiring:Â Check for any signs of corrosion or loose connections. A little time now can save you from electrical issues later.
- Battery TLC:Â Remove your boatâs batteries and store them on a smart charger in a cool, dry place to keep them in good shape.
5. Winterize the Engine
- Change the oil:Â Warm up the engine, then change the crankcase and gearcase oil, along with the oil filter. This helps flush out contaminants that could cause damage over the winter.
- Flush with fresh water:Â Run fresh water through the engine to clear out any salt or debris, then drain it completely.
- Add antifreeze:Â Circulate antifreeze through the engine block and manifolds to prevent freezing and cracks.
6. Prep the Fuel System
- Fuel-injected motors:Â Either drain the fuel using the drain screw or add a fuel stabilizer to keep it from going bad.
- Carbureted motors:Â Donât forget to drain the carburetor float bowls to prevent varnish buildup.
- Inboard motors:Â Change the transmission fluid to prevent moisture-related damage.
- Fill the tanks:Â Top off permanent fuel tanks and add a stabilizer to minimize condensation. For portable tanks, make sure to drain the fuel lines and the tanks themselves.
7. Protect the Inside of the Engine
- Fogging the engine:Â Spray fogging fluid into the carburetors or throttle body throats and spark plug ports to prevent rust.
- Replace spark plugs:Â Swapping in fresh spark plugs now makes for an easier start in spring.
8. Lubricate and Prevent Corrosion
- Grease everything:Â Complete a full lubrication service on the boat and motor, and apply anti-corrosion film to any exposed parts.
- Check for loose screws:Â Tighten or replace any missing or loose fasteners on the motor.
9. Donât Forget the Sanitation System
- Pump-out and antifreeze:Â Empty the sanitation system and holding tank, then add antifreeze to prevent freezing and cracking.
10. Final Steps Before Storing
- Remove hoses:Â Detach hoses from the raw water pump to prevent them from cracking.
- Store smart:Â If you can, keep your boat indoors or at least under a sturdy cover to protect it from snow, ice, and critters.
Winterizing your boat might feel like a lot of work, but every step is an investment in making sure you can get back on the water smoothly when warmer days return. At Vico Marine Products, weâre here to help you every step of the way with reliable products and advice.
Need supplies to get started? Check out our range of winterizing products and get ready to tuck your boat in for a cozy winter!
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Here is our checklist for convenience:
- Wash the motor and hull to remove dirt and debris
- Wax boat and painted motor surfaces
- Cover boat with breathable cover.
- Remove propeller and check for damage; replace or service damaged propeller
- Clean propeller shaft and apply protective grease
- Install de-icing device if boat will be stored in water.
- Install dehumidifier or mothballs in enclosed areas to prevent mildewing
- Clean and dry bilges
- Remove bilge drain plug and attach to steering wheel as a reminder to reinstall in spring
- Inspect and repair wiring.
- Remove boat batteries and store on a smart charger in a cool, dry place
- While engine is warm, charge crankcase and gearcase oil and run the engine
- Change oil filter
- Flush engine with fresh water and drain
- Circulate antifreeze through engine block and manifolds
- For fuel-injected motor, use drain screw to drain fuel, or add fuel stabilizer
- For carbureted outboard motor, drain the carburetor float bowls
- For Inboard motor, change transmission fluid.
- Spray fogging fluid into carburetors or throttle body throats.
- Remove hoses from raw water pump
- Replace spark plugs and spray fogging fluid into spark plug ports.
- Complete lubrication service on boat and motor and grease external engine fittings
- Pump-out sanitation system and holding tank and add antifreeze.
- Apply anti-corrosion film to external engine parts
- Check motor for loose or missing fasteners and repair or replace.
- Fill permanent fuel tanks with fuel and appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer
- Remove portable fuel tanks and drain attached fuel lines.
- Drain portable plastic tanks