Debunking Myths About Winterization

Should you winterize your boat?

The wintertime has already arrived! If you live in the south, the winter has not had the same impact on you as it has on our boaters up north. However, if you reside in an area where temperatures can drop below freezing, this is a crucial topic. We want to debunk some common myths about winterization based on our research. This needs to become a regular part of your winter boating routine, just like your summer boating routine.

MYTH: "I don't need to winterize my boat if the temperature does not drop below freezing for an extended period of time."

Fact: Boats are left out of the water for longer periods of time during the winter, particularly in northern regions of the United States. If a boat is not properly winterized, moisture will build up inside the engine's internal parts, leading to corrosion. An engine's corrosion (rust) can be just as damaging as a block that freezes and cracks. Professional anti-corrosion techniques are a part of proper winterization.

MYTH:  "I'll simply run some regular car antifreeze through my engine to keep it safe."

Fact: While it is advised to run antifreeze through a block and all of its parts, it must be marine-grade antifreeze. In fact, using automotive antifreeze can harm your cooling system and engine parts. If it leaks into the water, it is also dangerous for the environment.

MYTH:  "If my fuel sits all winter, it will be fine. I'll just put some stabilizer in it in the spring and it'll be fine."

Fact: The components of fuel separate when it sits for a long time. After being cut off, there is no turning back. Your fuel cannot benefit from a stabilizer added in the spring; it must be added in the fall. The fuel system will then need to be professionally drained, cleaned, and reset. This is costly and easily avoidable repair.

MYTH:  "I'll simply leave a space heater on my boat to keep it warm enough that I won't need to winterize it."

Fact: In addition to the significant fire risk, if there is an unexpected, unnoticed power outage, the heater will malfunction, putting your engine.

MYTH: "In January, if it's warm out, I'll just go take the boat out for a little while. Considering that my boat was professionally winterized, it shouldn't be a big deal."

Fact: The plugs are removed from the engine block as part of a winterization process that is popular among marine service facilities. They are frequently put in a bag for protection until the boat is "de-winterized" in the spring, which happens without the customers' knowledge. Running the engine without the plugs could have disastrous consequences.

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