| It's getting cold outside and the days are | | | | Flush the cooling system and protect with |
| shortening. Yes, winter is coming and it's time to | | | | anti-freeze. Every two to three years, the water |
| protect your boat from the elements. | | | | pump impeller should be changed to keep the |
| The safest place for your boat to be over the | | | | cooling system running efficiently. |
| winter is out of the water. However, hauling and | | | | Clean out rust and sediment from both outboard |
| storage can be rather costly. Shrink-wrapping | | | | and inboard engines by removing the block plugs |
| your boat is a cheaper option or, if your budget is | | | | and letting the water drain away. Pump |
| very tight, you can use a tarpaulin or similar cover | | | | anti-freeze in to prevent ice damage. Spray the |
| to keep nature out. Allow for some air circulation | | | | engine with an aerosol fogging oil to prevent rust. |
| under the cover to prevent mildew. | | | | When the engine is cool, remove the spark plugs |
| Storing Your Boat Out Of The Water | | | | and spray fogging oil into the cylinders through the |
| If you've chosen to store your boat out of the | | | | spark plug holes. Replace any spark plugs that are |
| water over winter, it's a great opportunity to | | | | worn out. |
| clean the barnacles, algae and other foul off the | | | | Replace the oil filter and oil and make sure you |
| hull, propellers, shafts and rudders etc. Open the | | | | dispose of the old oil responsibly. |
| seacocks, letting them drain and drain the bilges | | | | If your engine is an outboard, store it in the |
| leaving the drain plug out. Make sure you | | | | upright position. |
| remember to put it back in before your boat | | | | To ensure your electrical terminals and fuse panel |
| goes back in the water next season. | | | | remain rust-free, spray them with a lubricant to |
| Storage In The Water | | | | displace moisture. Read the label to make sure |
| For boats stored in the water over winter, the | | | | the spray is safe for electrical items. |
| main problem is freezing of the water around the | | | | On inboard engines, clean out the backfire flame |
| boat. Water expands when it freezes creating | | | | arrester with carburettor cleaner. |
| huge pressure on your boat's hull which can be | | | | Life jackets, seat cushions and any other fabric |
| very damaging. Keeping the water around your | | | | items should be hung up or positioned so they can |
| boat in constant motion can prevent it freezing. | | | | air out easily. |
| Bubbling and de-icing systems exist for this very | | | | Flush out the holding tank by pumping it out, |
| purpose, so make sure there's one available if the | | | | adding fresh water to the bowl and flushing a few |
| water is likely to freeze. | | | | times, then pump out again. Use a toilet cleaning |
| Ensure all the seacocks are closed and none are | | | | product, but refer to your owner's handbook to |
| leaking and make sure the bilge pumps, float | | | | make sure the product you use is safe for your |
| switches and battery are all in good working | | | | system. |
| order. | | | | If your boat is to be stored on a trailer, remove |
| You should also check the boat at regular | | | | the tyres and place the trailer on blocks to |
| intervals to be sure it is safe and secure; the | | | | preserve the tyre rubber and also make your |
| marina or Harbour Master may be able to do this | | | | boat harder to steal. |
| and report back to you. | | | | It is certainly worth remembering that a little |
| Further Winterization Techniques | | | | money spent winterizing your boat could save |
| Add stabilizer to the fuel in your fuel tanks to | | | | you a small fortune later. Your insurance company |
| prevent the fuel from degrading over winter. | | | | may actually insist on a certain level of boat |
| Then run the engine to let the stabilizer get into | | | | winterization to keep you covered. In addition to |
| the fuel system and engine to protect them. | | | | these general instructions, it is wise to check your |
| Refer to the fuel stabilizer instructions for the | | | | boat's handbook for any winterization required |
| appropriate quantity. | | | | that is specific to your type of boat. |