Six Common Boat Winterizing Errors
Tips from BoatU.S. on How to Avoid Expensive Mistakes
The Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.) releases the six most common winterizing mistakes made by boaters based on insurance claims history.
It's time for us in the Northern Hemisphere to think about winterizing the family boat. BoatU.S. (Boat Owners Association of the United States) is a boating advocacy organization that offers liability insurance for its member's vessels. Using its claims history, BoatU.S. has identified six common mistakes boaters make in winterizing (or not winterizing) their boats.
BoatU.S.'s Six Most Common Winterizing Mistakes
- Failure to Winterize the Engine - Temperatures drop below freezing in all of the United States and Canada during the winter. Northerners are used to dealing with freezing issues, but residents of warmer climes are less likely to properly prepare their engines for freezing temperatures.
- Failure to Drain Water from Sea Strainer - While taking steps to properly winterize your boat engine, take time to address your seawater strainer as well. Water lingering in the strainer can freeze and damage seals. Damage won't be obvious until the spring when water starts to flood the bilges.
- Failure to Close Seacocks - Boats being stored in-water should have their seacocks closed. Heavy snow loads can force thru-hull fittings below the water surface. Follow good management practices for maintenance of thru-hull fitting, ensure connecting hoses are in good condition, hoses are double banded to barb hose fittings, and seacock valves are well exercised. If there are no seacock valves connected to the thru-hull fittings, the boat shouldn't be stored in the water for the winter. The only exception to this rule are cockpit drains.
- Clogged Petcocks - Petcocks for engine cooling systems can be clogged or blocked by rust. Petcock drains may be cleared with wire from a hanger or removed for more through cleaning. Severely corroded petcocks should be replaced.
- Leaving Open Boats in the Water Over Winter - Vessels with large areas exposed to the weather or that have low freeboard should be stored upland. Heavy snow loads can force open scuppers, thru-hull fittings, or even the gunnels below the water.
- Using Bimini Covers as Winter Storage Covers - Bimini tops are meant to provide cover from the sun and aren't designed to protect a boat from winter water. These fair-weather covers will fail prematurely and offer little protection for your boat. Consider the use of a “shrink wrap” covering system or tarps to keep rain and snow out of your vessel. Ensure there is good ventilation under the covers to reduce corrosion or fungal damage to the boat.
BoatU.S. is offering a free winterizing guide for boat owners on-line or by calling 800-283-2883.
The copyright of the article Six Common Boat Winterizing Errors in Boating & Sailing is owned by Alan Sorum. Permission to republish Six Common Boat Winterizing Errors must be granted by the author in writing.
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