Oh, the weather outside is frightful, and that means it’s time for many of us boat owners to think about annual winter maintenance. We need to make sure our prize possessions are ready for their “hibernation” so that they’ll be ready for action when spring rolls around!
Also, remember that many insurance policies won’t cover damage caused by lack of proper maintenance, so the time you put into winterizing your boat is an investment in more ways than one. Every boat owner has a slightly different approach to winterizing, but here are a few basics that belong on your list:
Residue from old oil can damage engine parts during the long winter wait, so change the oil right before you put it up. Before you drain the engine, crank it and let it warm up a bit; this will lower the oil’s viscosity so that you can drain it more fully and pull out more impurities. Remember to replace the oil filter as well.
Procedures for flushing the engine can vary by manufacturer; check your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
A full gas tank leaves less room for condensation, which can damage your engine when you start it up again. You may want to add a fuel stabilizer to prevent engine buildup while the boat is not in use. Pour the stabilizer in first, followed by the fuel, then run the engine for a few minutes with the boat in the water to circulate the treated fuel.
Clean and lubricate engine components according to the recommendations in your owner’s’ manual. You also may want to clean the exterior (remember to use Slimy Grimy Granular for tough algae stains) and give it a good waxing — we want her looking her best when the season starts up again, don’t we?
Dry storage is best, but it can also be expensive. If your boat will be staying outside, cover it well to protect it from the elements.
Yes, the next few months will be a sad time of separation from your beloved boat. But never fear: spring will be here before we know it, and we’ll all be back out on the water again. Until then, you can always indulge your passion by checking out the 5 Best Movie Boat Chase Scenes or whiling away the hours playing ASA’s Sailing Challenge or Speed Boat: Zombies.
Happy winterizing!
I LEFT THE BOAT in the water for a week of scalloping & Fishing and got the nice stain line on the boat. My neighbor had some Slimy Grimy in a spray bottle & sprayed it on the line along with a rust stain from the dive ladder screws and it was amazing how Slimy Grimy cleaned the boat.
I recently discovered Slimy Grimy for getting rid of rust in tanks. It works great and won’t hurt the paint.
Slimy Grimy Inc.
slimygrimy@slimygrimy.com
(281) 468-5217