How To Store Your Boat For The Winter Season
Many people are enjoying those last final days of boating for the year, because once winter is here, it’s generally too cold to enjoy recreational boating activities. The bone-chilling temperatures of December through March make it difficult (if not impossible) to fish, wakeboard, ski, or perform other boating-related activities; therefore, you may want to store your boat for the winter season.
Top Off Your Fuel Tank
Contrary to what some people may believe, boats should not be stored with an empty fuel tank. If there’s little-to-no fuel in the tank, it could result in condensation buildup. This moisture will then promote the formation of rust, which can wreck havoc on the mechanical components of an engine.
The U.S. Coast Guard recommends topping your boat’s fuel tank off before storing it for the winter season. Since fuel doesn’t freeze (unless it’s mixed with water), storing your boat with a full tank will naturally discourage condensation.
Add a Gas Stabilizer
Save some room for a gas stabilizer when topping off your boat’s fuel tank for the winter. Stabilizer will help preserve the gas so you can use it next year. Once you’ve added the stabilizer, run the engine for approximately 15 minutes to ensure it’s pumped through the lines. A little bit of gas stabilizer will go a long ways in keeping your fuel, and the engine, in peak condition as it remains idle throughout the long winter months.
Flush The Coolant System
Run water through your boat’s engine to flush out any remaining salt, rust or debris that’s lingering inside. Allowing this stuff to sit inside the engine can cause major damage. A quick flushing with fresh water, however, will remove any debris stuck inside the coolant system.
While you’re at it, double-check to make sure the coolant system has enough antifreeze to make it through the winter. If it’s empty or low, fill it up with the appropriate amount.
Clean It
There’s no better time than now to give your boat a good cleaning. Remove the bilge and drain plugs and hose the hull down with water. Next, use a sponge and/or scrub brush along with a premium hull cleaner of your preference to remove any caked-on dirt or debris. Pay close attention to the lower portion of your hull, as this is where algae and mold tends to form. When you are finished, wait for your boat to dry before hauling it off for storage.