Winter hits hard here in the Midwest, and you should take care to winterize your boat before those freezing temperatures arrive. Winterization is an important process that protects your boat from the elements during winter storage. Read on for a quick overview of the winterization process, and feel free to contact Pro Wake Watersports for more information. Pro Wake Watersports is your local boat dealer in North Webster, IN, serving Leesburg and Syracuse.

The Goal of Winterization

While this might seem ironic, water actually poses the greatest threat to your boat during the off-season. When water freezes on the surfaces of your boat, it can cause permanent damage. Moisture can also lead to corrosion, and promote the growth of mold and mildew. With that in mind, the main goal of winterization is to remove every trace of water from your boat, and protect it from moisture to the greatest extent possible.

Winterization Checklist

First of all, you will need to determine your best option for boat storage. Unless you have a well-insulated garage or storage shed large enough to contain your boat, this will most likely involve paying for a storage unit.

Before you proceed, consult the owner’s manual provided with your boat for complete model-specific maintenance instructions.

When preparing your boat for storage, first prep the engine by ensuring all the water has been drained and removed.

Protect the engine with a corrosion inhibitor.

Fog the engine if needed, as directed by the manufacturer.

Add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank, then run the engine for a few minutes to disperse the additive throughout the fuel system.

Replace the fuel filters, and any fuel/water separators.

Drain the freshwater plumbing system in your boat.

Add antifreeze to the plumbing system.

Make sure all the water has been removed from any additional systems, such as the livewells and bilge pump.

Remove the drain plugs.

Shield your boat with a protective cover, and place it in winter storage.

We hope you found this guide helpful! If you have any questions about boat winterization, we invite you to consult the team at Pro Wake Watersports in North Webster, IN.