De-Winterizing Your Boat
Posted on | March 18, 2010 | No Comments
Spring is finally here, and its time to peel off those covers and start getting the boat ready for recommissioning. We've put together a few simple tips to help you de-winterize your pride and joy after a long, hard winter. If you did winterize your boat, thats great news, because you saved yourself some spring prep time and possible headaches now, which means the road between your boat and the water is shorter! Although it is always best to winterize a boat properly before putting it into storage, if you didn't, don't worry. You can perform those jobs now ready for re-launch. Here's how:
Have Your Manufacturer's Manual Handy
If you have a copy, great. If you don't, it would be a good idea to get one. A manual will make your life easier, in the long run, it will help you to find out which oils and lubes you need, capacity needed, and of course the complete service schedule.
We have the Clymer Manuals for sale, which cover both your engine and sterndrive, and they are a great investment.
De-winterizing Your Engine
The engine is the most important bit of your boat, and since it will most like take the greatest amount of time and be the messiest, (no point in cleaning the bilges then covering them in oil again!) start here.
If you didn't change the oil at the end of last season, do so now. After running your boat all summer, it's likely that water, acids and other byproducts have built up. It's important to change the oil to prevent corrosion and excessive wear which can lead to loss of power, poor fuel economy or engine failure. At the same time you change the oil, be sure to change the oil filter. Change the oil in gearbox or the sterndrive's lower unit as well.
Next, flush the cooling system, run the engine on flush muffs, if you have a closed cooling sysytem replace the antifreeze with a 50/50 ratio of water to coolant.
Assuming you removed your batteries at the end of the season, replace them and perform a thorough engine test.
Inspect the Canvas & Vinyl
Check your bimini top, seats, covers, and other vinyl and canvas items for tears, mildew and dirt. Repairs tears and holes, and then clean with the proper cleaner for canvas and vinyl.
The Starbrite Boat cover cleaner is great for this job, as it is not to astringent, but it gets the mould and green stuff out, quickly and easily. Follow this up with a re-waterproofing treatment, and you should get great service out of your covers all season.
Inspect the Hull
Carefully inspect the hull for blisters or other chips and cracks as well as for chalky residue. If you find blisters, repair them. If the boat's hull is chalky, it could indicate oxidation. Determine the level of oxidation, and then if needs be get to work either with a polisher or by hand with a rubbing compound, followed by a good quality polish, then final burst of elbow grease to wax the hull, giving it that much needed protection for the season ahead.
Polish the Metal and Teak
Known as brightwork, metal and teak enhance the look of your boat. If it's dull, your boat will not have the same visual appeal as it might otherwise have. Also, prolonged neglect of metal and teak can result in pitting and eventually compromise the integrity of the materials and their intended use. To protect the metal, use metal polisher like Starbrite chrome & stainless polish.
Replace and Test all Electronics
If you removed the electronics bring all them all back on board and do a thorough test to be sure they are working properly. Test the radio, GPS, compass, sounder, and any other marine electricals like your navigation lights, interior lights and if water systems etc..
Clean the Interior
Whether you have an open deck or cabin with full galley, clean the area thoroughly to remove dirt and debris.
With all these jobs done, you should be ready to get back into the water as soon as you can!
Hopefully, this year will see some better weather, so we can all enjoy the fruits of our re-commissioning labour.
Have a happy & safe season.
Tags: boat cleaner > boat covers > De-winterizing > hull polish > Mercruiser > mercruiser coolant > rust stain remover > starbrite boat polish > sterndrive > vovlo penta