3 Important Areas to Winterize on Your Boat

Winterizing your boat is a practical and affordable way to maintain your investment. First, this process will protect the boat, along with all its systems, during the harsh, cold weather. Second, it will also help to prevent expensive repairs in the spring. At Jordanelle Rentals & Marina, we highly recommend you properly winterize your boat before storing it during the winter. Begin with the three essential areas below. 

1. Maintain Engines

Winterizing your boat’s engine will keep it in prime condition over the winter months. Inboard and outboard engines run differently, so you’ll want to take different steps to winterize the specific type of engine on your boat. 

Inboard engines

• Change the oil and filter.
• Flush the engine with antifreeze.
• Check the transmission fluids and spark plugs.

Outboard engines

• Add fuel stabilizer to the engine. This will keep the gas usable during freezing temperatures.
• Spray a fogging solution into the air intake.
• Remove the fuel line and let the engine run until all residual fuel is burnt off.
• Grease the propeller shaft and threads with water-resistant grease.
• Change the lower unit’s gear oil.

2. Stabilize Fuel

The next area that should be maintained before storing your boat for the winter is the fuel. If you are leaving fuel in any of the boat’s gas tanks, add a stabilizer to the tanks. This will prevent condensation from forming in the engine, and also keep the tank in good condition throughout the winter.

3. Protect Onboard Systems

You need to protect your onboard systems during the winter, too. Remove all valuables and electronics before storing your boat. If kept on the boat while placed in storage, they can become damaged. Store them in a climate-controlled area to keep them in great condition. Pack and store any flares, fire extinguishers, and floatation devices, too.

Properly Winterize Your Boat with Jordanelle

The team at Jordanelle Rentals & Marina can assist you in properly winterizing your boat. Contact us today at (435) 615-7397 to make an appointment. We serve the Jordanelle Reservoir and all surrounding areas with our boat maintenance, boat repair, and boat mooring services.

Source: “The Importance of Winterizing Your Boat.” Blog article. V-Dock. R&D Manufacturing Inc. 11 Nov. 2016. Web. 18 Oct. 2021.