Boat Winterization

When the boating season comes to an end, you’ll need to think about how to prepare for the upcoming winter months. Before you can put it in storage, you’ll need to take some steps to winterize your boat. If you’re a beginner or you’ve recently moved to an area that experiences harsh winters, we’ve got some tips to help you out. Read our boat winterization guide, then stop by and see us at Soo Sports in Sioux Falls, SD! Our staff is always available to assist you.

Before you can winterize your boat, you’ll need to give it a nice cleaning. This also gives you a good chance to inspect the craft for any damage. Some key areas to focus on when cleaning your vessel include the fish box, deck, and bilge. When you’re finished washing the boat, allow it to dry completely. After all, trapped moisture can lead to bigger problems such as mold and corrosion. You can allow it to air dry or you can speed up the process with microfiber towels. You should also apply a coat of wax to help protect it from the elements while it’s in storage.

If you’re a marine enthusiast and you know a thing or two about boating, you know how important it is to keep up with regular oil changes. Make sure you don’t skip this step when you winterize your boat. Frequent oil changes will help prevent acid and water from corroding the engine. This is also a good time to change the oil filter if it’s needed.

Another critical step in the boat winterization process is to flush the cooling system. This ensures dirt, salt, and other debris will be removed. If you know you’re in for a cold winter season, you should think about running antifreeze through the cooling system to prevent any residual water from freezing and causing cracks in the engine block.

As you may know, harsh winter weather can be bad news for your battery. If you’re storing your boat out of the water, it’s recommended that you disconnect the battery and store it at home. This allows for safer storage and easier maintenance. If you’re storing your vessel in the water, you should consider leaving the battery inside to ensure the bilge pump can keep functioning if needed.

The last thing you’ll need to take care of when you winterize your boat is covering it up. You’ll want to choose one that’s made of high-quality material. It should be easy to take on and off, but more importantly, it will offer sufficient protection while your boat is in storage. You want a cover that will keep your vessel safe and dry so the elements don’t cause damage.

We hope our boat winterization guide has been helpful. If you have any questions, contact Soo Sports in Sioux Falls, SD! We’d be glad to help you winterize your boat.