De-Winterizing Your Boat

Spring is right around the corner, and soon the lakes and rivers will be packed with people enjoying all kinds of fun, whether it be wakeboarding, swimming, or fishing. It is almost time to take your boat out of storage and get it ready for the season. Unfortunately, de-winterization is not the simplest or fastest of processes. Luckily, the boating experts at Tommy’s Boats have put together this guide to prepping your boat for spring.

Engine Check

The first thing to check on is your engine. Exposure to cold weather and long periods spent idle can both be harmful to your engine, so you will want to inspect it carefully.

Belts

Cold weather can force the belts in your boat’s engine to contract, damaging them over time. During your inspection, press them gently with your hands. Too much give means it is time for a replacement. Check the pulleys for soot as well, as this can also indicate that it is time for a new belt.

Tanks And Hoses

Hoses, much like belts, are made of rubber and can split and crack when exposed to cold. Be on the lookout for leaks or signs that a leak might develop in the future. Remember to check all hoses and tanks, including the fuel lines, coolant systems, and oil. You will usually be able to replace a damaged hose yourself, although a damaged tank will require a service appointment.

Fluids

Once you have found and dealt with any leaks, turn your attention to the fluids themselves.If you previously either added fuel stabilizer or emptied the tank entirely, your boat was winterized properly. If you did neither of these things, you should empty the tank and check it for damage now, as any fuel still inside will have gone bad.

If you forgot to empty your boat of coolant, it may have frozen and damaged the lines at some point during the winter. Be sure to check the coolant lines for damage. Once you are satisfied that everything is in order, empty the strainer and fill your tank up. Finally, while it is unlikely that your oil will have frozen, it can still go bad over time, so it is probably best to replace it after you are done with the fuel and coolant.

Battery

Cold weather can wreak havoc on a boat’s battery. If you forgot to remove your craft’s battery before storing it for the winter, you will need to check it with a battery tester. If it can still hold charge, you are free to clean the terminals and hook it back up. If not, it is time for a replacement.

Interior And Exterior

While your boat’s interior components are probably more likely to have sustained damage due to the cold, that doesn’t mean you can ignore the exterior.

Exterior And Interior Check

Don’t assume that a boat that was in pristine condition when you put it into storage will still be that way when you take it out for winter. Look for cracks, missing pieces, or gouges in the hull. If you discover anything that concerns you, talk to a maintenance expert. You should also check on the boat’s interior. Even the most securely stored boat may suffer damage from pests and other unforeseen complications, so be thorough. Even if you find no damage, you can still use this as an opportunity to clean off any dirt and grime that may have accumulated while your boat was in storage.

Check Your Safety Gear

Spring prep is a great time to check the condition of your safety gear before you go out on the water. Make sure any personal flotation devices are in condition and can still do their jobs. You should also take a look at your first-aid kit. While bandages and tweezers don’t have an expiration date, ointments and other medicines sometimes do, so check them carefully.

We here at Tommy’s Boats hope you enjoy your springtime, as well as the rest of your year. For more about how to prep your boat for the spring, or to view our selection of new and pre-owned watercraft, visit us at one of our fourteen locations throughout the United States, including multiple in California and Michigan. We are proud to be one of the biggest ski and wake dealers in the world, and we hope to see you soon!