Winterize Your Boat to Avoid Spring Surprises
Taking good care of your boat is an important responsibility all year long. It’s easy to focus on the summer season when you’re having all that fun, but winter can put some serious wear and tear on your craft, especially in our harsh Connecticut climate. Winterizing your boat is a critical annual activity that is absolutely necessary if you want to avoid a spring surprise such as mildew or a damaged engine. Here’s more info on this important topic from Thayer's Marine, where we’ve been selling and servicing boats in Norwich, Connecticut for generations.
Thorough Cleaning
You’ve got to clean your craft stem to stern, inside and out! First the interior: Remove all gear and equipment and clean everything, especially the cracks and crevices that harbor gunk. Condition anything that needs conditioning such as upholstery. Dry off all surfaces. Clean the exterior thoroughly, let it dry and wax it.
Oil Change
Change the oil and the filter according to directions in your manual. It’s generally best to drain the oil when the engine is a little warm so it drains thoroughly, and to run it after the oil change for a few minutes so the oil will circulate and lubricate all of the internal parts.
Coolant and Antifreeze
Flush your coolant and top it off with some fresh antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s dilution recommendations. This is super important to prevent the internal tanks and components from freezing, which can cause severe damage.
Livewell Winterization
If you’ve got a livewell, drain it and pump non-toxic RV antifreeze (the pink stuff) through it before you store your boat. The same goes for any plumbing on your boat.
There’s More!
You also need to disconnect your electronics, and disconnect your battery and store it at room temperature (or close). Also, flush the engine and make sure it’s fully drained. If you are going the DIY route, make sure your list of tasks is thorough, and that you don’t skip any of them. Once all the winterizing tasks are done, it’s time for cover, storage, and dreaming of next summer on the water!
We hope this information has been useful to you. When it’s time to winterize, we hope you’ll trust the experts at Thayer's Marine! Let us prep your boat for the winter season, or come to us for the supplies and tools you need to DIY. As always, we welcome your questions and encourage those nearby in Springfield, Massachusetts to stop by our location in Norwich, Connecticut anytime.