The temperatures have finally started to drop, and its been a few weeks since you could take the boat out. As we start to approach the colder months, its time to start thinking about how you are going to store your boat for the winter and what preparation you should be doing now. The last thing you want is to go to get your boat ready in a few months and find the engine has seized, so follow our tips to ready your pride and joy for winter storage.
Firstly, give the boat a good clean. Make sure to wash away all saltwater and any debris build up. This way, when you put the boat cover on, you’re putting it on a clean boat, and you wont need as much preparation to get back out on the water. Once the boat is all shiny and clean, take a walk around the boat and look for any imperfections, cracks or tears in the hull. These can deteriorate and cause all kinds of issues. If you find anything, bring it down to the team at Advanced Fibreglass Techniques and we can run our assessment over the boat and provide you with the best cause of action.
Next you will need to look at the fuel you have on board. Make sure your tank is full of fresh fuel and add a fuel stabiliser in to ensure minimal condensation occurs and your fuel doesn’t go stale in the winter months. This is also a great time to check the engine for any deficient parts, check the fluid levels and flush out the engine cooling system with fresh water.
Moving on to the batteries, make sure your batteries are fully charged, and either remind yourself to check them periodically while the boat is stored or store them in your garage and hook them up to a battery charger. Alternatively, you could invest in a solar charger for the batteries and leave them in the boat, without the hassle.
All the addons for your boat, like life jackets and tool boxes, anything that isn’t fixed to the boat really, store them somewhere inside a garage or shed, it will be better in the long run for the items and if you are storing your boat in a boat yard, it can reduce the risk of theft.
Finally, the interior needs a wipe over. Wipe down all the surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner, you can even take the time to polish any metals inside if you want to go the extra mile. A specialised vinyl cleaner is a good choice for any vinyl seats and remember if you have any specialty interior components, its always good to follow the manufacturers recommendations for cleaning.
Once everything is clean and dry, its time to pop the boat cover over and let sit for the winter. When you’re checking over the boat, be sure to also check the trailer for any damage. Saltwater is known to find anyway it can into trailers and rust them from the inside out. There you go your boat is ready for winter hibernation.
Mark, Nigel and the team provide our clients across industrial, private and commercial fibreglass our professional design and development services as part of the project. We enjoy the challenges presented in boat restoration and take great satisfaction in achieving the customer’s desired result. We use the latest techniques to repair your watercraft, whether it be a small cosmetic repair or a structural modification. Contact Mark or Nigel today, on (08) 8182 4877 or drop in for an obligation free quote.