How To Care For Your Boat This Winter:
Ft. Handy Winter Maintenance Checklist PDF.
As we wave goodbye to another incredible summer, it’s time to start thinking about any maintenance projects that may need carrying out on your boat during the off season. Whether you’re new to boating or you need a refresher on what to look for, Horizon is here to help you get your affairs in order and keep your boat safe and reliable whilst most importantly, retaining its value. Here are our top tips when it comes to winter boat maintenance:
1. Inspect the overall appearance of your boat:
It’s important to check your boat for any damage year-round. But one last check before you retire your boating legs for the winter is especially important. A thorough inspection for even minor chips, scratches, stress cracks and any damage to the gel coating can save you a lot of time and money when it comes to getting your boat ship shape in the new year. If you notice any signs of damage like this, tackle them sooner rather than later. Horizon customers can always reach out to us for any advice or help finding a maintenance technician to repair any damage.
2. General Maintenance:
Just like with your car, it’s important to keep up with general maintenance jobs such as changing your engine oil and keeping fittings lubricated throughout the year. If you are planning your winter layup, this is a great time to get these jobs ticked off and get your engine winterized. For those local to The Lake District, we recommend Maiden Marine for any engine servicing or maintenance.
3. Sterndrive/Leg servicing:
It’s important to get your drive leg serviced approximately every two years for boats in fresh water, and more often for those at sea. Overtime the sterndrive can be subject to impact damage, from rocks and other water borne material, and corrosion. To keep your boat safe and in optimum working condition, reach out to an authorized agent for servicing. Make sure you find an agent in your area that is authorized to work on the specific engine type/brand on your boat. Once again, Maiden Marine are our recommended company for craning and routine leg servicing in the Windermere area.
4. Check deck fittings and check for water damage:
To prevent water damage to the interior of your boat, it is important to check your deck fittings to avoid costly repairs. Should water get into the foam or balsa cores of your boat, the structural integrity could become compromised. This can cause delamination, which will cost you a pretty penny to fix and devalue your boat heavily in the long run.
5. Check your steering:
To ensure there is no play in the steering, examine your keel and rudder for damage. Particularly, the leading and trailing edges and rudder bearings. Another key area to check would be the associated linkages and wires surrounding the steering for wear and/or slack.
6. Examine your electrical systems:
Electrical faults can happen, so it’s important to get your electrical systems checked by a trained, marine electrical specialist. Another electrical component worth checking over are your light bulbs. If your boat still uses halogen bulbs, it could be worth upgrading these to LED bulbs to reduce battery drain.
7. Inspect your hull for damage:
Fiber glass boats will need their gel coating maintained overtime as this layer slowly becomes oxidized. As this happens, it will take on a chalk-like appearance. Keeping your hull clean and waxed can slow this process. Should you require your boat to be lifted out for a winter layup, this can be an excellent time to assess your hull for any damage and begin any maintenance. If your boat is being used on the sea, annual anti-fouling of the hull is imperative as this can dramatically reduce the speed and efficiency of your boat and cause damage to the hull. Boats kept on fresh water should also invest in anti-fouling every other year.
8. Check your anodes:
An area often overlooked are a boat’s anodes. These are essential in the protection of your propeller blades and so should be examined and replaced once they are 1/3 decayed. Therefore, the winter season is a great time to check this off your maintenance list. It’s also worth checking the outer edges of your propeller blades for any damage or pink-ish discoloration, this may indicate electrolytic decay, requiring further investigating.
9. Clean out your bilge:
It’s easy to ignore your bilge, out of sight out of mind, allowing it to become cluttered. The start of the winter season is an excellent time to embrace your inner Marie Kondo and get this space cleaned and organized, allowing you to spot any leaks which may otherwise go unnoticed. Should any leaks occur, this can lead to your bilge pumps becoming clogged, causing further expense down the line.
10. Protect your interior from damp:
Ensuring your interior is kept clean year-round is essential for maintaining the value of your boat. Mold and mildew are the pesky duo you don’t want to invite onboard your boat, and so before the winter gets into full swing, getting your boat valeted to prevent this is a wise investment. For those local to the Lake District, Lakeland Valeting are available to get your boat looking ship shape. It’s also worth investing in a dehumidifier for your boat, but should you go ahead with this purchase, make sure your boat is completely sealed while your dehumidifier is running. Another check to ensure your interior stays dry through the winter, would be to check the seal on your canopy if you have one. If you find any breaches to your canopy, it’s important to get any waterproofing issues fixed before it’s too late.
11. Plan your interior upgrades:
Lastly, plan any cosmetic changes you would like to make to your boat, such as upgrades to the upholstery or kitchen and bathroom fittings. These kinds of enhancements are not something you will want to be fretting over come next summer, and so it’s best to get these in hand now rather than rushing them further down the line.
Now it’s time to get to work. We have created a handy Winter Maintenance Checklist for you to print out at home to make sure no area goes unchecked. Should you need any help with the upkeep of your boat, Horizon is always a phone call away to assist our customers with any issues they might be facing with their boat.
