Winterizing a boat

Your winterizing the boat is a job that is perfectly doable if you have some technical knowledge of a boat. However, there are some things you need to pay close attention to. In this blog we share our experiences to help you.

What to look out for when winterizing boat

In this article, we will mainly focus on winterizing the technical system of the boat. This will mainly concern the engine.

Engine

The coolant of the engine must still be of sufficient quality to withstand the expected frost. You can know this by periodic maintenance, making sure the coolant is not too old, or by measuring the quality using a simple gauge. Replace if necessary.

The open cooling water system (if present) can be drained, or the outside water can be replaced with antifreeze. Draining is sometimes trickier than it sounds, as there may be cavities in the engine that still hold water. Consult your engine manual or call us for advice. Often it is simpler to replace the water with antifreeze. You can disconnect the outdoor water intake hose in front of the water pump. Hang this hose in a bucket of antifreeze and start the engine. Watch the cooling water coming out of the boat, usually at the exhaust. Once this changes color to the color of antifreeze, the engine can be turned off. Collect the antifreeze, this is bad for the environment.

All valves at the skin penetrations should also be filled with antifreeze. Close the valve and disconnect the hose. The hose can then be held up and filled with some antifreeze. If the valve is opened briefly and then closed again, the antifreeze will run into the valve. The trapped liquid in the ball is now antifreeze, so it will no longer freeze to death.

Risk

Leaving a boat in the water during frost poses risks. When a valve is leaking, antifreeze that has been poured into it will still leak out. As a result, it can still freeze to pieces during a hard frost. When the thaw sets in, boats often sink. To be sure, placing the boat on the shore is a good idea.

Advice for members on winterizing your boat

Are you winterizing your boat yourself, but unsure if you've thought of everything? Subscribers of Vaarzeker with a assistance package can receive free, customized advice by phone. Our mechanics are experienced in performing maintenance and winterizing boats. You can ask your questions and they can provide you with appropriate answers in your situation.