With
boating season coming to an end, many may
be wondering how to best protect their boat during the off-season. Taking the
proper steps to winterize your boat can save you a lot
of time and money when it comes to taking it back out next summer. Whether you
have an outboard, gas inboard, or sterndrive engine, following these steps can
help ensure a quick and easy startup next season. Continue reading to learn
more.
Motorboat Maintenance
You
may be surprised to learn just how much effort goes into properly maintaining a
boat's engine. Taking these steps can help set you up for smooth sailing next
season.
Stabilize
Your Fuel
Just
like with any other piece of equipment that goes unused for an extended period,
it’s important to utilize a fuel stabilizer. In as little as
60 days, fuel can start to deteriorate, which can then cause gunk to build up
inside of your engine. All that built-up gunk can
cause major issues that affect your engine's overall lifespan. When in doubt,
use a high-quality marine fuel stabilizer, and then fill the tank with fresh
fuel. It’s important to know that simply draining the fuel and letting the tank sit empty will not prevent build-up and can actually
lead to further damage.
Replace
the Engine Oil and Filter
Did
you know that the moisture and acids that are in old oil will start to deteriorate
your engine's bearings and other components over time? With your boat still in the water, you’ll want to begin this
process by warming up your engine. Be sure to place an absorbent pad or towel
underneath the engine to catch any spills. If you are not able to drain your
oil tank, you may need to invest in a pump so that you can manually
remove the old oil. Remove the oil fill cap to make it easier to suction out
the old oil. Insert your tube into the dipstick hole until you feel it
bottoming out, then start pumping. Be sure to move the tube around to ensure
that you’ve gotten out as much oil as possible. When it comes to changing your
filter, you’ll want to make sure the gasket is off. Pro-tip: Use an inside-out plastic bag and pull the old filter
right into it to avoid a mess. Once that has been completed, you can dab some
new oil on the gasket to help the new filter seal, and then spin it on tight.
Finally, check your owner’s manual to see how much oil needs to
be added after a filter and oil change.
Flush
and Drain Cooling Water
To
prevent damage caused by expanding ice, you’ll want to make sure
you’ve drained all the water from your engine. For inboard engines, flush the engine with clean
water using water muffs (or something similar) to connect a water hose to your
boat’s cooling system. Then you can flush until the engine reaches its normal
operating temperature. Don’t forget to remove drain plugs after. For outboard engines, you’ll want to make sure
that all drain holes are open from the start. Start the engine and begin
cleaning by flushing it with fresh water.
Replace
the Gear Oil
Be
sure to drain your motorboat's lower unit of old gear oil and replace it with a
fresh supply. Note that if water comes out first, or if you see lumpy oil, this can be a sign that
your motorboat has moisture trapped inside and will need to be resealed before
being stored for the season.
Protect
the Internal Engine Components
When
oil drains away, it can expose internal engine components to harsh elements
that then lead to internal damage. In order to prevent this,
you might consider using a “fogging oil” spray, which was created specifically
to coat engine parts with a protective layer of anti-corrosive
compounds.
Grease
and Lubricate
You
can use a quality marine lubricant to protect your engine against corrosion, rust, oxidation, and other issues.
Be sure to check your owner’s manual for specifications about what needs to be greased before going unused for an
extended period.
Charging
the Battery
Don’t
forget to take out your boat’s battery and charge it. You’ll also
want to clean the battery terminals and battery cable ends before lightly
coating them with grease. Be sure to store the battery in a warm, dry place.
Cleaning Up
Since
you’ll be away from your boat for an extended period of time, you’ll want to
make certain that everything is clean and stored away properly.
Removing
Sensitive Items
First,
you’ll want to remove any sensitive materials from the boat. Anything that is not a part
of the boat should be removed and stored away (think life jackets, fire
extinguishers, and flares). If the interior of your boat includes fabric or
leather covers, you’ll want to either cover or remove them in order to prevent mildew growth. Don’t forget to remove all
electronics from the boat, as these can be easily damaged by extreme cold.
Scrubbing
Down
Now
it’s time to give your boat a thorough scrub down from the hull all the way
through to the interior. First, you’ll want to remove any plant life or barnacles that have attached
themselves to the exterior of your boat. Next, you’ll want to go in and clean
out any lockers, drawers, refrigerators, and freezers you may have
aboard. Then you can give the boat a
thorough cleaning. Once the boat has been completely cleaned and dried, you can
apply a coat of wax to the hull. Be sure that none of your cleaning supplies,
chemicals, or waste ends up in the water, as these are extremely dangerous to
local ecosystems and
wildlife.
Storage
Ideally,
your boat would be stored in clean, dry storage. However, in areas like New
York State, where winters are especially long, this can become quite expensive.
If your boat is being stored in the water for the winter, you’ll want to make sure
that it is absolutely secured to its
dock, and that it is protected by a durable, weather resistant cover. You might
also consider shrink wrapping your boat.
Insurance
The
final step in making sure that your motorboat is protected is to complete an insurance checkup. For more information about
your boat insurance needs or a policy with NYCM Insurance, check out the link below!
