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Boat Winterization Tips

Nov. 17 2023 Seasonal By Team Winnebagoland Marine Center

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With winter well on its way, it’s about time to start prepping your boat for its long stay in winter storage. However, disuse can be just as hard on a boat as the winter ice and snow, so it’s important to prep your model for its upcoming residence in storage. To learn how to successfully winterize your boat so it stays in pristine condition all season, check out our tips below. 

Inspect and Clean 

Before you can start on some of your boat’s more complicated maintenance tasks, you’ll first need to see what condition your model is currently in. To begin, take a moment to thoroughly inspect your boat both inside and out, taking time to remove any trash, debris, or leftover items that may be sitting around. Once you’ve got a good idea of where your boat may need a little extra TLC, we recommend taking a day or so to give your model a rigorous deep cleaning. While you clean, be sure to remove any rust that may be sitting on your boat’s various surfaces, and give your model’s hull a good polish and wax before you finish. 

Winter Maintenance 

Now that your boat is looking shiny and new, it’s time to tackle some of your model’s more difficult maintenance tasks. To begin, we recommend giving your engine a full oil change, as well as flushing your coolant reservoir and your fuel tank. Once all of these systems have been flushed make sure to refill them with the appropriate fluids—high-grade synthetic oil into the engine, fresh antifreeze into the reservoir, and a fuel stabilizer into your tank. Once this is done, go ahead and remove your boat’s battery and connect it to a drip charger, before zipping up your cover and placing your model safely into storage. 

Looking for a nearby service center to help you tackle your boat’s more difficult winterization tasks? Then be sure to visit us here at Team Winnebagoland Marine Center to have your boat serviced by the best mechanics in the area! We offer both a convenient service center and a helpful parts department at our location here in Oshkosh, WI, and we proudly serve the nearby city of Appleton, WI.