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5 Things To Do When Winterizing Your Boat
There are so many things to love about boating.
Putting your boat away at the end of the season is not one of them.
Boats all prepared for the winter months.
Here in New England, the boating season always feels much too short. And preparing your boat for its long winter’s slumber is probably the saddest task for any boat owner. But if you take the time to properly winterize your boat, it will help you have a smooth, easy launch next spring.
Here are five tips to help you get your boat ready for winter.
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Sailboats being redied for the winter.
1. Clean out your boat.
Items such as cushions, pots and pans, and linens should be removed from your boat and washed. Remove your fire extinguishers and make sure they are still in good working order. Then scrub your boat, wiping down cabinets, cleaning carpets, and more.
2. Go over your engine.
Make sure your belts and hoses are in good condition and don’t need to be replaced. Then fill your fuel tank just short of capacity, leaving a little room for the fuel to expand. Add some gasoline stabilizer, then change your oil, fill your engine block with antifreeze, and remove your battery to store it in a dry place.
3 Protect hoses and plumbing.
Cold winter temperatures can damage the plumbing on your boat if water in your hoses and lines freeze and expand. After you pump out your head at an approved facility and flush it with water, add antifreeze through the intake lines, discharge hose, macerator, and y-valve. Also, drain your fresh water tanks and hot water heater, and pump non-toxic antifreeze into your tanks and plumbing.
4. Check your propeller.
Make sure your boat’s propeller is in good shape. Look for any wear or dented blades, and make any needed repairs or replacements.
5. Always use a cover.
You should cover your boat in the winter, even if you’re storing it in a heated, indoor facility. Covering your boat helps keep dirt, dust, grime, and critters from getting on or in your boat.
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Written by Dan Mathers
Dan is an editor for New England Boating and a former associate editor for Offshore Magazine.
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