Winterizing your Pontoon Boat

It’s a sad day when the rods and reels have to be put up to mark the beginning of the cold season. For many boaters, winter is merely a long, boring intermission until spring. Unfortunately, the fishing vessels have to wait out the season with us as well. Winter inactivity can actually accelerate the wear and tear on your boat-which is why Hawkeye Boat Sales in Dubuque, Iowa put together this guide to keep your boat in peak condition. Taking these precautions will allow you to have a smooth transition when the warm spring days come back.

Before storing your boat for winter, give it some love with a thorough cleaning. You want to scrub both the interior and exterior free of any excess salt, grime, and algae that could’ve built up during boating season. Make sure to pay attention to smaller spots like the little crevices in the seats. As far as the inside of the boat goes, remove any items such as towels, fishing rods, water skis and so on. Leaving these items on your boat during winter could trap moisture which can lead to mold and mildew. After a good cleaning make sure you allow enough time for your boat to fully dry to eliminate the possibility of trapped moisture. Lastly, give the body of your boat a good waxing to prevent rust, this is especially important if you are planning on storing your boat outdoors!

The exterior of your boat is not the only surface that needs attention in winterization. Components of your boat’s engine need some care before the cold season hits, too.

• Oil change
  • You will want to change your oil to prepare for the cold season. Water and acids left behind in oil can corrode the engine. Make sure to change the filter and flush it out of any remaining water before adding in fresh oil.
• Flush cooling system
  • It’s a good idea to “antifreeze” your cooling system if you live in an area where you are expecting freezing temperatures. When water freezes, it expands about 9% which can be damaging to your engine. To flush your system, give it a freshwater rinse using flush muffs. Then circulate the antifreeze through the system until it exits through the exhaust. Performing a thorough flush also helps protect your boat from salt corrosion.
• Fogging oil
  • Since the engine will be sitting still for the whole season, oil and lubricants will not be circulated which could cause rust and corrosion. Depending on the type of motor you have, fogging oil can be sprayed in fuel compartments, carburetors and cylinders to create a residue that stays in place while the engine is idle. This will protect your engine’s moving parts during the winter cold.
• Fuel additives
  • Another important component of winterizing your boat is to add the appropriate fuel additives. Since ethanol gasoline can begin absorbing water in 30 days, gasoline stabilizer can protect your tank from freezing condensation. Taking this step will ensure your fuel will be ready to use once spring rolls around.

Before the final step of winterizing your boat, you will want to remove your battery and store it in a dry, cool space. Make sure to connect it to a trickle charger to maintain battery health. If you do not own a trickle charger, you can charge the battery once a month instead. Whether you have an indoor garage or not, you will want to invest in a good cover for your boat. A breathable cover is going to be your best bet. If you are storing indoors, this is a good precaution to take to avoid dirt, dust, and grime. If you are storing outdoors, make sure the cover is applied nice and snug so rain and snow cannot find its way onto the boat.

Winterizing your boat may seem like a time-consuming task, but it will actually save you from wasting time on costly repairs when boating season comes back around. Hawkeye Boat Sales would like your boat to stay safe this winter, so please call or visit one of our many locations. If you are looking for additional help with preparing your boat for the cold season, visit our dealership in Madison, Wisconsin or our Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City or Dubuque locations in Iowa. Our outstanding staff is more than happy to assist you in preparing your boat for storage!