Like it or not, it's reaching that time of year where us boaters tuck away our watercraft and dream of warmer days. Let it be clear: we are by no means encouraging you to put away your boat this weekend. But when you're ready to winterize, here are some tips and tricks you should keep in mind.
1. Treat your battery like a princess.
Batteries are what you need to get going each time you crank that engine, so make sure you give them a little TLC before tucking them away for the winter. Charge the battery, and then remove the negative cable. Let it rest for several hours before checking its status. If using a voltmeter, a fully charged battery should read 12.5 volts. While you wait for spring, check the charge monthly. Also, don't believe that myth that tells you that storing batteries on a concrete floor shortens their lives!
2. Make sure your tarp stays put.
Sharp edges and things that stick out wear holes through tarps. Prevent this by covering sharp places with strips of old carpet or rags, and use duct tape to secure them. When tying down the tarp, crossing lines under the boat works, but that makes it tough to get inside the boat throughout the winter. An alternative is to fill one-gallon jugs with sand and hang them from the tarp. When you need to get into your boat, just lift a jug or two to remove the tension. To prevent those sags that hold water and rip, use a stepladder, placing it on the deck to support the low spot. Stretch a big cotton T-shirt over outboard cowls to protect glossy finishes from flapping tarps. Hate the residents that move into your boat over the winter? A battery-powered AM radio left tuned to a talk station will deter creatures from shacking up.
3. Make a list, check it twice.
Use a handy dandy checklist like this one from iBoats to make sure you follow all of the necessary steps while winterizing your boat. You don't want to get distracted and miss a key step, only to regret it in the spring!
When are you winterizing your boat? What are some winterizing tricks you like to make use of every winter?
