What You Need to Know Before Storing Your Boat For Winter

Not to take away from a single moment of on-the-water fun you’re having right now, but unfortunately, this gorgeous weather won’t last forever.

Making a plan for winter storage for your boat now could lead to better deals on necessary preparations and greater peace of mind.

So what will you need to do to properly prepare and store your boat for the winter?

Here we will cover your options for storing, covering, and winterizing your boat so that it’s fresh and ready to take out on the water at the first sign of spring.

Where to Store Your Boat in The Winter

First, wet or dry?

Will you keep it in the water? (Maybe you want to bundle up and still use your boat through the winter—hello, Holiday light boat parades.)

Or will you keep it out of the water? (If so, will you choose covered storage or open storage?)

Thinking out your options is best done before the end-of-season surge and can help you with pricing.

Indoor dry storage facilities will provide the most protection for your boat. If you choose this option, get to know the facility storing your boat by asking a few smart questions:

When will you be able to access your boat?
What winterizing services does the boat storage yard offer?
What security is provided at the facility?
What pest management prevention do they use?
What are the fees? (Not just the monthly fees, but beginning and end of season fees?)
Will the marina be able to give your updates or check on your boat for you?

SMART TIP: Take a close look at your insurance policy. Make sure you meet all requirements for winter storage (if your provider has any requirements).

How To Cover Your Boat in Winter

Protecting your boat from the elements can be broken down into three general options.

The most secure and weatherproof option is shrink wrapping. This option can be done professionally and may include zippered access panels and solar vents.

There are also DIY shrink-wrapping kits available.

The second covering option would be a custom-fit boat cover. You can order these from local marine canvas shops, or, if you have a popular model boat, they can be purchased online. If you choose to order custom winter storage covers, you will most likely need to make arrangements with your canvas maker several months in advance.

Custom or semi-custom boat covers have the added value of lasting season after season, making it a one-time cost. Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of using them throughout the year.

While they won’t protect as securely as a cover made for your model boat, an off-the-shelf boat cover is a more budget-friendly option.

The last option is to use tarps. The challenge with tarps is securing a fit to prevent snow or rain from getting on the boat.

Selecting the best option depends on your location, how protected your boat storage area is, and budget constraints.

How To Winterize Your Boat’s Systems

Taking the time to decommission your boat at the end of the season will set you up for a quick and pleasant start to the next boating season.

Making a checklist specific to your boat and storage plan will help simplify this task each year.

Here are a few things to consider adding to your personalized winter boat storage checklist:

Inspect your boat for maintenance or repairs that didn’t get taken care of while you were too busy having fun. Things to note include: tears on canvas or cushions, loose or leaking hardware, Gelcoat dings, corroded fittings, etc.
Remove everything that can be taken off, especially food. Clear out cabinets and lockers. It’s a good idea to open all locker doors and prop cushions up to help things smell fresh in the spring. Rodents can wreck a boat quickly. Consider putting our traps as a precaution against expensive repairs.
Winterize your fluid-containing systems. Drain any water out of tanks, pumps, and toilets. Add antifreeze where appropriate.
Protect your battery with routine maintenance and consider adding a trickle charger to keep the battery levels healthy while not in use. Additionally, consider removing the battery while in storage.
Winterize your engines. Follow your specific manufacturer’s motor winterizing procedure. This will likely include: changing your oil and filter, stabilizing the fuel, flushing with antifreeze, greasing your tilt and trim, and fogging the cylinders.

We hope this helps make the end-of-season boat chores go smoother and allows you the comfort of knowing that you’ve got it all under control so you can enjoy the summer days ahead.