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How to Winterize Your Boat

Writer • November 7, 2020

When it comes to boats, some of the most common problems our insurance agency in Corydon, IN, sees are related to improper upkeep. One of the best ways to protect your investment all year long is to properly winterize it, so it does not sustain any damage during the offseason. Winterizing your boat should be a part of your yearly routine as a boat owner, and it is important you understand how to accomplish it efficiently and effectively.

Here are the most important steps for you to take when winterizing your boat this fall.

  • Preparation: The first step is to prepare your engine and remove all the water from it. Spend some time on this—you don’t want to have any water left in the engine when you perform the ensuing steps, so proper drainage is crucial.
  • Corrosion protection: Apply a corrosion protection product to the engine. Constant exposure to moisture will make it more likely that your engine will experience corrosion at some point, so it’s important to protect it.
  • Fogging: Fogging isn’t a step all boat owners will have to take. It is important for you to look at your owner’s manual and see if there are any instructions about whether or not you will need to complete the fogging process.
  • Fuel stabilizer: Put a fuel stabilizing additive into the boat’s fuel system, then turn the engine on and let it run.
  • Change filters: Change the fuel filters in the engine and any fuel/water separators you’ve placed in the system.
  • Drain: Drain out the freshwater plumbing systems in your boat, including tanks, sinks and toilets. Make sure water has been removed from all systems on the boat and remove all of your drain plugs.
  • Cover: When you’ve finished all of these steps, you are ready to cover and store your boat for the winter.

You’ll note that a lot of the items on this list have to do with removing water from the system. This is because even when your boat is out during the offseason, there’s still the possibility that water can wreak havoc on it!

Water that remains behind can result in mold or mildew forming. The more mold and mildew that spreads, the more likely it is to cause structural problems that could cripple your boat’s integrity. At the very least, it will be a massive pain for you to have to clean and sanitize before you take it back out on the water next season.

Throughout all of this, it is important that you pay particular attention to the engine, the fuel systems and the plumbing systems, as well as any other systems that can hold water. These are the areas that are most likely to cause damage to your boat.

Interested in learning more about the steps you can take to winterize your boat and get it ready for the offseason? Contact our insurance agency in Corydon, IN. Proper winterization ensures your insurance will continue to provide you with the coverage you need.

 

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