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It sounds absurd, but winter is often tough on your boat. Long periods of inactivity increase the rate of wear and tear and contribute to major breakdowns in the next season. Corrosion will continue spreading when left unchecked, as rust never stops. Lubrication congeals, moisture intrudes and freezes the boat’s components, and the neglect worsens across the long, cold months. Therefore, if you don’t prepare your boat effectively for storage, you’re more likely to experience numerous problems in the springtime due to deferred maintenance.
With that said, preparing your vessel for the long winter nap with the right lay-up is crucial. This article will discuss six tips to prepare your boat for action even after a long storage period. Keep reading to find out more.
Start with a clean vessel
When your boat, whether it’s a 21 ft wake boat or a yacht, is clean, it will withstand the test of time and minimize the necessary work when you decide to take it out again. Ensure you clean the deck, bottom, and topsides (with a coat of wax), and clean the trim and hardware. Assess whether there are any blisters on fiberglass boats, especially those that spend a lot of time in the water. If you find any blisters, repair and treat them early.
Don’t forget to clean the boat’s windscreens, spray hoods, Bimini tops, etc. Allow the canvas to dry and neatly store them away, or if possible, remove the canvas and keep it indoors. Cleaning your boat before the winter sets in will prevent corrosion and dirt from getting a foothold, meaning it will be faster to prepare in the spring.
Flush the boat’s cooling system
If your boat uses a raw water-cooling system, you should flush the engine thoroughly with fresh water to remove dirt, salt, and corrosion. In regions with extreme winters, it would be best to run anti-freeze in the boat’s cooling system. This involves connecting a pickup hose from the antifreeze container to the water pump. Alternatively, remove the thermostat and its entire housing and pour antifreeze into the boat’s cylinder block.
Protect the fuel system
It’d be great to top off your boat’s fuel tank to prevent condensation buildup due to extensive storage periods. Change its fuel filter every season and install a water-separating fuel filter if possible. Some boat owners prefer to use marine fuel stabilizers in their fuel tanks to prevent gum and varnish buildup and keep the whole fuel system clean during winter storage. Here is a piece of advice: when you add the marine stabilizer to the tank, run the engine for several minutes so it circulates throughout the system.
Treat the engine well
Invest time to treat your sterndrive or outboard and protect the engine’s internal components during storage. Using engine cleaner to eliminate gum, carbon deposits, and varnish from your boat’s internal parts is also a great idea.
Lubricate moving components
Grease the boat’s control mechanism and steering system. Apply moisture-displacing lubricant on every moving metal part, like latches, linkages, and hinges. Remove the propeller and assess if there’s any seal damage. Consequently, lubricate it and return it to its position.
Remove the battery and charge it
Remove your boat’s battery and charge it fully. Clean its terminals and cable ends, then coat them lightly with grease. Store your battery in a clean, dry place, understanding that you won’t use it until the spring.
The bottom line
These precautions will help you protect your boat for the long winter season and keep it ready for the exciting weather that awaits you. Unlike other vehicles, boats have numerous exposed components that corrode over time, are expensive to repair, and affect performance. Therefore, taking great care of your boat after using it during the summer is important so it can be ready for the spring.
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