While boating continues throughout winter, many vessels see less use during the cooler months. This makes winter an ideal time to carry out maintenance and preventative care that will help protect your boat’s value, reduce wear and tear, and ensure you’re ready to make the most of the boating season ahead.
If Your Boat Will Be Used Less Frequently
If your boat is likely to spend more time at the marina or on its berth during winter, consider the following:
- Close all through-hull valves and leave a note in a visible location if the engine intake valve has been closed.
- Fit any available deck covers to provide additional protection from the elements.
- If you have a dehumidifier, place it onboard and set it to around 40% humidity, with the drain directed into a sink. This will help keep the interior fresh while avoiding excessive drying of timber finishes.
- Clean and treat any exterior teak with a product such as Semco, or arrange for a professional treatment. This helps protect the timber, reduces dirt absorption and slows weathering.
- Test your bilge pump and confirm that the float switch is operating correctly before leaving the pump in standby mode.
- For sailing yachts, consider removing your furling headsail rather than leaving it exposed to winter weather.
- With antifouling bookings often filling quickly, winter is an ideal time to schedule an early spring antifoul. This ensures maximum effectiveness during the warmer summer months when marine growth is at its peak.
Take Advantage of the Quieter Season
Winter is typically a less busy time for marine trades, making it an excellent opportunity to address maintenance items you’ve been postponing, such as:
- Canvas repairs
- Sail servicing and maintenance
- Polishing and detailing
- Engine servicing
- Rig inspections
- Gelcoat repairs
- Hull decal replacement or repairs
- Battery testing and maintenance
Enjoy More Time on the Water
Taking care of these maintenance tasks during winter will help ensure your boat remains in excellent condition and is ready whenever the opportunity arises to head out on the water. Regular maintenance not only improves reliability and presentation but also helps preserve the long-term value of your vessel.season returns. It will also contribute to preserving the condition, performance and long-term value of your vessel.
Contact Performance Boating Sales for service and maintenance advice…