If you live in the Northern Hemisphere then you need to think about
winterizing your boat at some time. Winterizing is key to keeping
your boat in working order during the periods that you don’t use it.
When it comes to winterizing your boat you can save a lot of time
and money by avoiding five common boat problems that many
individuals make.

First you want to pay careful attention to winterizing your boats
engine. No matter where you live in the United States and Canada,
temperatures will drop below freezing during the winter. If you live
in the far northern area you are likely used to dealing with these
freezing issues and know how to care for your boats engine already.
But for those who are used to warmer weather most of the time likely
don’t know the proper way to prepare a boats engine for freezing
temperatures on the few days that they occur.

Second it is important that you remember to check the seawater
strainer on your boat engine as a part of proper winterizing
procedures for your boat. If you leave water in the strainer, even a
small amount, it can freeze during the cold days and damage the
engine seals as a result. You may not notice the damage at first,
but in the spring you will definitely notice it when water starts to
flood into the bilges.

If you are going to store your boat in the water for the wintertime
then you need to make sure your sea cocks are closed. Thru-hull
fittings can be forced below the water surface if there is a heavy
snow load. When it comes to thru-hull fitting you should have good
management practices in order to maintain them.

Make sure your connecting hoses are in proper condition, make sure
the hoses are attached to barb hose fittings with a double band and
make sure you have well exercised your seacock valves. Without the
seacock valves connected to the thru-hull fittings you should be
storing your boat in the water during the winter. The only other
things that can keep your boat safe in the water during the winter
besides seacock is cockpit drains.

When it comes to winter water you want to have a good cover for your
boat. Don’t just use the Bimini covers for winter storage. These
covers are only meant to protect against the sun but don’t protect
against water in the winter.

These forms of covers will not work and soon won’t even provide any
protection for your boat. Instead try using a covering system
similar to shrink-wrap or tarps to help keep out the most rain and
snow you possibly can. Just make sure your covers have good
ventilation otherwise additional corrosion or fungal damage can
occur to your boat.

Along these same lines you don’t want to leave open top boats in the
water during the winter season. If there are large areas of the
boat exposed to the weather in the winter then the heavy snow fall
can force open scuppers, thru-hull fittings or even the gunnels
below the water. For these types of vessels it is best to store
them upland.

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