How to Winterize Your Boat

If the winter season is quickly approaching, this guide will help you prepare your watercraft for mother nature's icy grip with a few easy steps.

Step 1: Check the owner's manual Check your boat's owner's manual for specific steps and any recommendations for winterization.
Step 2: Clean and repair the hull Clean the hull thoroughly. Remove grime and barnacles using a power washer. Repair cracks to prevent ice damage.
TIP: Schedule any major repairs in the fall since repair shops and marinas are often busiest in the spring.
Step 3: Remove electronics and cushions Remove electronics, such as a GPS or fish finder, as well as cushions, and store them inside before vacuuming and cleaning the boat's interior.
TIP: Apply a mildew protector to any vinyl and purchase a moisture-absorbing product to prevent mold in moist areas.
Step 4: Stabilize the fuel Fill the gas tank and add stabilizer, and then idle the engine to move everything through the hoses before disconnecting the fuel line.
Step 5: Protect the engine Protect the boat's engine by flushing it with fresh water and applying fogging oil to the pistons and fresh grease to the propeller shaft.
Step 6: Replace the oil and remove the battery Replace the engine oil and the oil filter and add antifreeze according to the owner's manual. Remove the battery last.
Step 7: Cover the boat Cover the boat with a waterproof canopy and use structural supports to prevent heavy snow from damaging parts. Secure it tightly with rope and tape.
FACT: The 1,100-foot long, 151,000-ton Queen Mary 2 is only 117 feet shorter than the Empire State Building is tall.