US Coast Guard Auxiliary Tips For Winterizing Your Boat

2016 was a great year to be out on the water but the boating season is coming to a close. It’s time to get your boat and safety gear ready for winter storage.

Improper care and storage of safety gear can ultimately lead to danger. Don’t forget these basics:

Life jackets … personal flotation devices (PFD) … are your most important piece of safety gear. They warrant careful attention. Inspect each PFD closely and throw out any that show even slight damage. Replace discards with a Coast Guard approved model. Make sure they are clean and (most importantly) dry prior to storage. Ideal storage is in a moisture-free, well ventilated environment with the PFDs on hangers. Do not store PFDs in plastic bags or containers; they're ideal environments for mildew and mold.

Check all fire extinguishers for general condition and expiration. Damaged or expired gear must be disposed of and replaced. Expired units have lost their efficacy but may still contain pressurized toxic chemicals that qualify as hazardous waste. Call your area Public Works department or sanitation services for instructions regarding the best method of disposal.

Flares, flags, smoke and pyrotechnics carried as emergency visual distress signals (VDS) also need to be checked and replaced if expired or damaged. Disposal procedures are identical to fire extinguishers. If you use an electronic VDS remove the batteries before storage. All VDS gear should be Coast Guard approved. Replace it if it isn't.

Winter can be hard on an improperly prepped boat. The following tips will help ensure your vessel is ready for action after storage.

Thoroughly clean the entire vessel. Carefully inspect the boat while it is out of the water and repair any issues. Clean and dry all canvas before storage and if possible remove all of it from the boat to be stored indoors.

Flush and/or add anti-freeze to the cooling system according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Prepare the fuel system by topping off your fuel tanks to avoid condensation build up during storage. Change the fuel filter at the end of the season and add a marine fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Outboard or stern-drive engines should be winterized via fogging oil; a rust preventative that protects internal engine components during long periods of inactivity. Several products for this purpose are available at marine dealers. As always, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Change the oil and oil filter on stern drive, in-board and four-stroke outboard engines.

Check the bilges and drain any standing water. Do the same with every locker, drawer, live well and storage area.

Remove and store everything you can indoors. Cushions, life-jackets, lines, fire extinguishers, visual distress gear, fenders, fishing/skiing gear all take a beating when left on board to the mercy of winter. Remove electronics: GPS/Chart plotters, radar, VHF radios and anything else that is mounted on brackets. The loose cable ends/connectors should be wrapped in electrical tape. Marine batteries should be carefully removed and stored off the ground in a cool dry space.

If you store your boat outdoors a good cover is your best line of defense against the elements. Use cover supports/props to prevent water (and ice) from pooling in low spots. Park your boat in a garage if possible. If not store it in a location that minimizes exposure to wind and weather. Keep the cover free of leaves, water, snow and ice. Check it periodically during the winter months to make sure everything is OK and fastened down.

These are general tips and there are variations and additional concerns dictated by the specific boat you own. Always check your manufacturer’s recommendations.

Finally, before you go out on the water next spring remember to contact the Coast Guard Auxiliary for a free vessel safety check and consider taking a boating safety class to ensure an enjoyable and safe boating season. You can schedule a safety check by visiting http://cgaux.org/vsc and sign up for a boating safety class at http://cgaux.org/boatinged