Winters can be very harsh not only on you but also on your vehicles, like cars, boats, bikes, etc. Boats, unlike other vehicles, have many parts that remain exposed to the mercies of the weather. The winter season makes it even more difficult for those exposed parts.
That’s why boats need to be kept very carefully in the winter. With this, they will not dig a hole in your pocket when you reuse them in the spring. But, their maintenance and upkeep can be very expensive. So, let us look at some tips that you can consider to cost-effectively maintain your boat during the winter.
Tips to Cost-Effectively Maintain Your Boat During Winter
Maintaining the boat for the winter goes beyond keeping it out of the water and simply storing it. You need to follow these tips to ensure that your boat will be there for a long time.
1. Cleaning and drying out the boat properly
After draining the boat out of the water, make sure to follow the cleaning process with salt and water thoroughly. Remove all the accessories like fishing gear, floating devices, etc., and start cleaning from bow to stern and from hull to the inside. Remove the dirt with soap and water, eliminate any algae or plant life that has grown, and pressure wash the hull.
After cleaning, dry out the boat completely. Make sure to drain the pipes, seacocks, water tanks, etc., properly.
Once a season, you can also try waxing the entire boat.
2. Servicing the main engine of the boat
The engine is one of the most important parts of the boat. So, you cannot ignore it in any way. You can service the engine by yourself by inspecting and filling the tank with gas and adding the fuel stabilizer. Also, do not forget to check the level of oil in the boat and change it.
All this work is very technical and tedious, so it’s better to ask the professionals at Goodwin Marine Services to do the servicing of the engine.
3. Keeping a check on batteries
After cleaning and servicing, it’s time to keep a check on the batteries of the boat. Never leave your batteries connected while storing the boat. If your boat is a small one, consider removing the batteries and keeping them at home. Don’t forget to charge them once in a while to make their handling the next summer easier.
4. Maintaining other equipment
The last step before you finally store the boat is to maintain and check all the equipment on it. For instance, automatic life jackets, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, gas bottles and hoses, and other electronic equipment. Check their expiry dates and damaged parts, if any, and replace them with new ones, if needed.
5. Storing the boat
Finally, after all the hard work and preparation, it’s time to store the boat during the winter. There are three ways in which you can store your boat.
- Store the boat indoors: This is the most recommended option for storing the boats. It keeps them safe and secure and also increases their longevity. But, it is not the most preferred option as most people do not have enough space indoors for the storage of their boats, and this option can get rather pricey.
- Store the boat outdoors: Most people prefer this option because of its economic value. If you store your boat outdoors, make sure to wrap and cover it properly and install a boat storage shade.
- Store the boat in the water itself: This is the least preferred option and mostly not recommended because of its many disadvantages. For instance, damages because of harsh weather, the sinking of the boat, or even theft.
If you do not have enough storage space for your boats, then you can store them in boat storage facilities provided by service providers. Both short-term and long-term storage options are there.
Maintaining the boat for the winter not only makes it better for the coming spring but also makes your and your loved ones’ boating experience better. We hope you can follow these tips and be able to maintain the boat cost-effectively. Additionally, maintaining the boat can be considered an investment rather than an expense.