Although the nation’s capital has had a fairly mild fall (and the early winter is predicted to be mild as well), it is inevitable that much colder temperatures will arrive. You may have been utilizing your boat on these warmer days, but it is time to start thinking about winterizing your vessel.
Improperly winterizing your boat, or failing to do so entirely, could severely affect its performance come spring and could even crack your engine. The repairs that come with failing to winterize your boat will be costly and many insurance policies do not cover damages caused by neglect or improper maintenance. You have made a large investment and it is important to protect it.
Short of hiring a professional to winterize your boat for you, there are ways to do it yourself.
If you haven’t familiarized yourself with your boat’s manual, now is the time. Review manufacturer’s recommendations and ask a seasoned boater or waterman for advice and/or assistance if necessary. Be sure to acquaint yourself with the winterization recommendations for preserving the boat’s motor as well. The next thing to do is focus on the engines, the fuel, the freshwater system and so forth. We recommend reading through Discover Boating’s handy checklist for a rundown of what this entails.
Finally, although it can be expensive to store your boat in a climate controlled space, under cover and out of the water, this is the best for the boat. If that’s not possible, take it out of the water and protect it from the elements either by shrink-wrapping it or covering it with a tarp or something sturdy. And lastly, if you have no other choice but to keep it in the water, there are a number of things you should do to keep it from becoming damaged in the frigid water.
And again, don’t be shy about asking for assistance or advice if you’re unsure about how to carry out these tasks.
Images and sources: Thinkstock, Discover Boating, BoatSafe
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