Barefoot Watersports Tips: Winterization
There are several misconceptions regarding winterizing your Boat or Jet Ski. These are some of the most common.
1. It does not get cold enough in this region to cause damage.
2. Winterizing your Boat or Jet Ski is only protecting your engine from freezing.
3. Using a light bulb or heater will keep my boat safe.
4. Keeping the fuel tank empty over the winter is best.
5. The cover will keep the interior dry.
Properly winterizing your Boat varies with each engine type. Just draining the block is not always enough. Neglecting to address oil coolers, fuel coolers, cabin heaters and fresh water systems can result in expensive repairs. As always check your owner’s manual or have a professional handle it for you.
DO I NEED TO WINTERIZE MY BOAT
1. Making the assumption that we will have a mild winter and your Boat will not be damaged could cost you several thousand dollars in the spring to replace manifolds, coolers and heaters. If the engine block cracks it could cost much more.
2. Properly winterizing your boat will protect vital components regardless of how low the temperature gets.
ENGINE
1. All the water must be drained from the engine block, exhaust manifold, oil cooler and fuel cooler. If you have a cabin heater that uses hot water from the engine for heat (used commonly on inboards) this has to be drained also.
2. A bio degradable anti-freeze must be added to the cooling system.
3. Oil, oil filter and fuel filter can be changed when your boat is being winterized. If not changed at this time it will need to be changed in the spring.
4. A corrosion inhibitor should be induced into the engine intake while it is running to coat the cylinders, bearings and other parts that may corrode during storage.
FUEL SYSTEM
1. Since marine fuel systems are vented to the atmosphere condensation will form inside your fuel tank. I recommend having the tank at ¾ full reducing the air space for condensation to form.
2. Using a fuel stabilizer added to the gas will help absorb any small amounts of water in the gas. (keeping the gas tank close to full and using a fuel stabilizer year round is a good idea)
3. Using non Ethanol blended gas is best.
INTERIOR
1. Canvas covers will allow moisture in but they will not breathe to allow moisture out. Shrink wrapping is always the best option. This is a vented waterproof cover placed on the boat and shrunk tight. Anyone who has removed their canvas cover in the spring will notice the musty smell. A Boat that has been shrink wrapped will actually dry out over the winter.
2. Using moisture absorbing desiccant is helpful
3. If the Boat has a fresh water tank, head, ballast tanks or live wells they will need to be addressed also.
BATTERIES
1. If the Boat is on a lift or kept in the water the battery must stay connected to allow the bilge pump to operate.
2. A marine approved on board charger connected to shore power is recommended.
3. If the Boat is on a trailer or kept in a dry stack it is recommended that the battery be removed and charged up over the winter. Remove the drain plug but don’t forget to install it in the spring (you would be surprised how many people forget)
HEATERS
1. Heaters give you the flexibility to use your Boat over the winter but it is important to understand the risks.
2. Use only Marine Approved engine compartment heaters. Use of other heaters or light bulbs could cause a fire or explosion.
3. Approved heaters are only as good as the shore power available. Many of you have experienced power failures at your dock due to tripped breakers. At Marinas it is not uncommon for other boat owners to borrow your shore power cord and forget to reconnect your boat.
4. Regional power failures can occur and put your Boat at risk.
WHEN SHOULD I WINTERIZE
1. The fall is a great time to be boating but most of us stop using the boat after Labor Day. As a result we sometimes forget about the boat until the weather turns bad.
2. As soon as you are done using the Boat get it winterized. There is no advantage waiting until winter comes.
3. When the freezing temperatures come it may be most Marine Service Centers are already busy and may not be able to schedule your boat in time.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. When you are ready to winterize please don’t wait until the last minute, contact us today to schedule an appointment. If you have any questions regarding service and maintenance issues please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me.
Bob Marum
1. It does not get cold enough in this region to cause damage.
2. Winterizing your Boat or Jet Ski is only protecting your engine from freezing.
3. Using a light bulb or heater will keep my boat safe.
4. Keeping the fuel tank empty over the winter is best.
5. The cover will keep the interior dry.
Properly winterizing your Boat varies with each engine type. Just draining the block is not always enough. Neglecting to address oil coolers, fuel coolers, cabin heaters and fresh water systems can result in expensive repairs. As always check your owner’s manual or have a professional handle it for you.
DO I NEED TO WINTERIZE MY BOAT
1. Making the assumption that we will have a mild winter and your Boat will not be damaged could cost you several thousand dollars in the spring to replace manifolds, coolers and heaters. If the engine block cracks it could cost much more.
2. Properly winterizing your boat will protect vital components regardless of how low the temperature gets.
ENGINE
1. All the water must be drained from the engine block, exhaust manifold, oil cooler and fuel cooler. If you have a cabin heater that uses hot water from the engine for heat (used commonly on inboards) this has to be drained also.
2. A bio degradable anti-freeze must be added to the cooling system.
3. Oil, oil filter and fuel filter can be changed when your boat is being winterized. If not changed at this time it will need to be changed in the spring.
4. A corrosion inhibitor should be induced into the engine intake while it is running to coat the cylinders, bearings and other parts that may corrode during storage.
FUEL SYSTEM
1. Since marine fuel systems are vented to the atmosphere condensation will form inside your fuel tank. I recommend having the tank at ¾ full reducing the air space for condensation to form.
2. Using a fuel stabilizer added to the gas will help absorb any small amounts of water in the gas. (keeping the gas tank close to full and using a fuel stabilizer year round is a good idea)
3. Using non Ethanol blended gas is best.
INTERIOR
1. Canvas covers will allow moisture in but they will not breathe to allow moisture out. Shrink wrapping is always the best option. This is a vented waterproof cover placed on the boat and shrunk tight. Anyone who has removed their canvas cover in the spring will notice the musty smell. A Boat that has been shrink wrapped will actually dry out over the winter.
2. Using moisture absorbing desiccant is helpful
3. If the Boat has a fresh water tank, head, ballast tanks or live wells they will need to be addressed also.
BATTERIES
1. If the Boat is on a lift or kept in the water the battery must stay connected to allow the bilge pump to operate.
2. A marine approved on board charger connected to shore power is recommended.
3. If the Boat is on a trailer or kept in a dry stack it is recommended that the battery be removed and charged up over the winter. Remove the drain plug but don’t forget to install it in the spring (you would be surprised how many people forget)
HEATERS
1. Heaters give you the flexibility to use your Boat over the winter but it is important to understand the risks.
2. Use only Marine Approved engine compartment heaters. Use of other heaters or light bulbs could cause a fire or explosion.
3. Approved heaters are only as good as the shore power available. Many of you have experienced power failures at your dock due to tripped breakers. At Marinas it is not uncommon for other boat owners to borrow your shore power cord and forget to reconnect your boat.
4. Regional power failures can occur and put your Boat at risk.
WHEN SHOULD I WINTERIZE
1. The fall is a great time to be boating but most of us stop using the boat after Labor Day. As a result we sometimes forget about the boat until the weather turns bad.
2. As soon as you are done using the Boat get it winterized. There is no advantage waiting until winter comes.
3. When the freezing temperatures come it may be most Marine Service Centers are already busy and may not be able to schedule your boat in time.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. When you are ready to winterize please don’t wait until the last minute, contact us today to schedule an appointment. If you have any questions regarding service and maintenance issues please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me.
Bob Marum
- Barefoot Watersports would be happy to inspect, repair or service any of these items.
- Book a service appointment - 704-896-2121 or [email protected]
