If you’re a true marine enthusiast, you likely want to do everything in your power to keep your boat in great shape all year long. While you might not do much boating during the off-season, there are things you can do to protect your investment. Prospect Point Boat Yards has created this helpful guide with everything you need to know about winterizing your boat. Read on for some important tips. Visit our dealership if you’d like assistance. We’re located in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, near Hackettstown.

The first order of business in winterizing your boat is making sure it’s squeaky clean. This might seem counterproductive if you won’t be using it for several months, but there is a good reason for this step. When you put a filthy boat in storage, it will be in much worse shape when the time comes to take it out. Take the time to clean your craft so that it’s ready for adventure when you pull it out of storage in a few months.

Clean the interior and the exterior. You want to do your best to remove any salt, algae, and grime that has accumulated during the boating season. Don’t forget about the small spots that are often neglected, like between the crevices and seats. When you address the interior, remove all of the gear and equipment first. After you’ve finished cleaning the entire vessel, allow enough time for it to dry completely. Finally, add some wax before you move on to the next step.

It’s probably not a huge surprise that you’ll need to perform some maintenance when winterizing your boat. Start by changing the oil and oil filter. Be sure to flush it out completely before adding fresh oil. You should use antifreeze for the cooling system, which is especially important if you live in an area where the temperatures drop below freezing. You can easily flush the system by giving it a fresh water rinse with flush muffs. Next up, you’ll want to circulate the antifreeze through the system until it exits the exhaust.

When a boat sits for extended periods, oil and other lubricants won’t have the chance to circulate properly. This can lead to rust and corrosion, which you want to avoid. One way to prevent this is to spray fogging oil into the fuel compartments, carburetors, and cylinders. A residue is created that stays in place while the engine is idle, which protects the moving parts. Remember that ethanol gas can begin absorbing water in as little as 30 days! The good news is that the stabilizer will protect your tank from freezing condensation.

The last step in winterizing your boat is addressing storage concerns. Remove the battery from your boat and store it in a cool, dry place where it will be safe. You should also connect it to a trickle charger to maintain the battery’s health. If you don’t have one, you can also charge the battery regularly each month. No matter where you store your boat for the winter, be sure to apply a well-fitting breathable cover to protect it from dust, grime, rain, snow, and so on.

If you’d like to learn more about winterizing your boat, we’re always here to help. Give us a call or stop in and see us at Prospect Point Boat Yards in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey! One of our knowledgeable and friendly staff members would be more than happy to assist you. We also serve those in Parsippany-Troy Hills.