Winterising your boat means taking steps to protect it from harsh winter weather, to ensure it will be ready to sail again once spring comes around. An essential part of winterising your boat is ensuring you store it properly. In this post we will discuss the ideal winter storage solutions for boats, with some alternative suggestions if such storage is impractical or impossible.
Be sure to read our guide to essential boat maintenance for winter, too.
Where Is The Best Place To Store a Boat in the Winter?
Ideally, you should take your boat out of the water over the winter, and store it in a secure building, with heating. If this is not possible, at the very least you should aim to take your boat ashore over the winter. This can help prevent corrosion, while making essential winter maintenance a lot easier through giving you easy access to the hull and keel.
If you cannot keep your boat indoors, then you should cover it, to protect it from precipitation. But if you use a tarpaulin, take care not to block any vents, and do not allow it to rest directly against the hull or topside. This can lead to scuffing in high winds.
What Should I Cover My Boat With?
A canvas tarpaulin or a dedicated boat cover is better than a cheap plastic tarpaulin, especially if your boat will be in storage for an extended period. Plastic tarpaulins can quickly disintegrate.
Steps To Take To Winterise Your Boat:
To keep your boat in the best condition while it’s in storage over winter:
- Remove as many items as possible from the boat, including any food and drink. This will help prevent mould and mildew from forming.
- If your boat has sails, take them down, and get them washed and repaired as necessary. Store them in a warm and dry place.
- Remove all freezable liquids, including the water tank. Leave the taps in the open position, so that any condensation can drain out.
- Top up the fuel tank and add some antifreeze, which can help prevent rusting. Check your boat’s manual for best-practice tips.
- Clear all of your boat’s drains and check your piping and hoses for leaks.
- Thoroughly clean your boat before putting it into storage, and ensure it is as well-ventilated as possible to keep the interior fresh.
- Ensure the boat’s batteries are fully charged, then consider disconnecting them completely. This way, they will not drain through the winter, and there will be less fire risk.
What If I Have To Leave My Boat in the Water Over The Winter?
So long as your boat is securely moored, and so long as you can cover your boat to keep out the rainwater, your boat should be fine left in the water over the winter. British winters can get cold, but we do not face the sort of subzero temperatures that could really damage your boat.
How Often Should I Visit and Check on My Boat?
Try to visit your boat at least once a month throughout the winter, while it is afloat. This way you can check that everything is still secure, and you can address any potential issues, such as pooling water, before they become truly problematic.
If you are leaving your boat afloat over the winter, you may need to do some thorough maintenance in the spring, to ensure that there are no new leaks or signs of wear and tear. Also, be sure that your boat insurance covers you for keeping your boat in the water over the winter. Not all policies will include such cover, and some may stipulate that you must keep your boat onshore throughout the winter.
Everard Insurance Brokers are the specialist marine trading division of accredited Lloyd’s brokers James Hallam Limited. We can help you ensure you have the insurance you need to cover your boat over the winter, and beyond.
Find out more about our dedicated marine insurance services.