How To Winterize Your Boat Like a Pro

Nothing is better than relaxing on a boat during spring and summer months: the warm sun on your skin, spending time with loved ones, and casting away your cares. But that boating bliss can’t happen without a little bit of work. In order to enjoy a functioning boat in the spring and summer, it’s crucial to maintain it during the cold winter months. Keep reading to learn about what it means to winterize a boat and how to do it effectively. 

What Does Winterizing a Boat Mean? 

Winterizing your boat is the process of preparing it to endure harsh winter conditions. Keep reading to see here the steps to winterize a boat.

Winterize Your Boat in 3 Easy Steps

Check out our three-step guide to winterizing a boat: 

1. How to Winterize Your Boat Motor

The winterization process differs slightly depending on what type of motor your boat has, but the following steps generally apply to any motor type:

• Drain any excess water, including the freshwater supply. 
• Add a coat of corrosion protection to the motor. 
• Pour in a fuel-stabilizing additive.

2. How to Winterize Your Boat Trailer Wheels

If boat trailer wheels aren’t maintained properly, they’ll deteriorate over time and need to be replaced frequently. Here are some easy steps to protect them from winter damage:

• Store your boat trailer in an enclosed storage unit to protect it from low temperatures.
• Wash the tires and wheels thoroughly, then apply a protective coating to shield them from outside conditions. 
• Cover your boat trailer wheels with tire and wheel covers. These covers act as an additional protective barrier. 
• Elevate the tires to protect them from excess pressure that could deform them over time. 
• Move your trailer every once in a while—if you don’t elevate the tires—to protect them from experiencing excess pressure in one spot all winter. 
• Add some extra air to the tires before storing your trailer for the winter to slow the natural air loss. 
• Remove any heavy items from the trailer to prevent excess weight from putting too much pressure on the tires. 
• If you’ll be storing your boat trailer past the winter months, consider removing the tires and wheels completely and storing them separately. 

3. Additional Steps in the Winterization Process

Follow these additional steps, and your boat will be ready for winter: 

• Replace fuel filters.
• Pour antifreeze into the plumbing system to avoid frozen pipes.
• Remove drain plugs. 

How to Winterize Different Boat Types

The type of boat you have determines how you need to winterize it successfully. Take a look at the steps below: 

How to Winterize a Pontoon Boat

1. First, consult your boat’s manual to make note of any specific instructions provided.
2. Next, connect the boat motor to a water source.
3. Fill the tank with gas, and pour in a stabilizer. 
4. Replace the gear oil.
5. Add fogging oil to the carburetor—if your boat’s manual calls for it. 
6. Change out the sparkplugs.
7. Clean the boat’s exterior thoroughly. 
8. Disconnect the battery and any other electronic elements.
9. Cover the boat with a tarp or other substantial protective material. 

How to Winterize Your Ski Boat

1. Add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank.
2. Add fogging oil to the carburetor—if your boat’s manual calls for it. 
3. Drain any excess water.
4. Loosen the belts.
5. Remove the drain plugs.
6. Disconnect the battery.
7. Clean the boat’s exterior thoroughly. 
8. Pour antifreeze into the plumbing system to prevent the pipes from freezing, expanding, and possibly bursting. 

3 Common Boat Winterization FAQs

If you’ve never winterized a boat before, you probably have some questions about how to complete the process effectively and easily. Check out this list of common boat winterization questions we receive from customers and our answers to them:

• Spot remover
• Marine cleaning agent
• Vacuum
• Degreaser
• Soft and hard brushes
• PVA towel
• Water hose with a nozzle
• Wax 

How often should I winterize my boat?

How often you need to winterize your boat depends on what type of boat it is, its size, the outside elements, and where it’s located. As a general rule, you should take these steps either monthly, quarterly, annually, or every two to three years: 

Trust the Boat Winterization Experts at CleanTools

If you’re looking to winterize your boat this winter, CleanTools has the products to help keep it in tip-top shape all year long. Our superior boat cleaning supplies will protect your boat from water damage, frozen pipes, dirt and grime, and everything in between. Our PVA cloth—appropriately called the Absorber—allows you to dry your boat faster and easier than ever before. It keeps your boat cleaner and dryer than any other product on the market. For quality boat winterization tips and products near you, try CleanTools. If you need a gift idea for the holidays we've got your back. 

Contact us today.