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The chill of fall is in the air and it serves as a reminder that even colder temperatures are on the way. And while it is all too easy to get caught up in your fall tasks and activities, like football, cleaning the gutters and raking the lawn, we are here to remind you that you need to winterize your boat.

Preparing your boat for winter is something boat owners need to do in the fall, before the white stuff starts to fall from the sky if at all possible. Winterizing your boat is a time-consuming task and you might hire a professional to do it. But if you are a hands-on type of person, you can take care of this all by yourself. That will save you some money as well.

There are, of course, variations in what needs to be done to winterize a boat based on the size and model, but you will get the basic idea. Lillipad Marine, your source for boat diving boards, offers you how to winterize your boat.

Remove Water and Oil from Bilges

Over the course of summer, bilges can collect water and oil. It is important that you clean up these spills as thoroughly as possible. Even a small amount of oil needs to be cleaned up as best as possible. You should then add a moisture-displacing lubricant to deter any accumulation of moisture that might happen over the winter.

Finally, add some antifreeze to ensure that any water that might collect over the winter won’t freeze and cause damage.

Clean Marine Head

Marine heads come in all sizes and all shapes, some with tanks and some without tanks. And while they are all different, they should all be cleaned the same.

If your toilet does not have a holding tank, simply pour disinfectant into the bowl and pump it through the system. Follow up by pouring antifreeze into the bowl and pumping it through the system.

If you do have a holding tank, make sure it is completely empty before you pump antifreeze and disinfectant through it. If need be, you might have to consult your owner’s manual for the best advice on how to winterize your toilet.

Drain Freshwater System

Freezing water is a nightmare for boat owners. While draining your freshwater system is a good start, water can still linger in areas throughout the system.

It does not take very much water at all to freeze and cause big problems. A cracked pipe can be a disaster. In addition to draining every part of your system, you also want to circulate antifreeze throughout to ensure that nothing with freeze over the winter.

Drain Water From the Engine

No matter what type of engine you have, it is critical that you drain and flush the system with antifreeze. The way you do this depends greatly on the type of motor you have. We suggest you consult your owner’s manual to get this job done correctly.

Remove Electronics

Moisture can cause mold, mildew and it will corrode your electronics, this causes all sorts of problems in the spring when you go boating again. So before you cover your boat for the winter, remove any electronics and store them somewhere they will be protected for the winter. If there are electronics that you cannot remove, spray any exposed connections with a moisture-displacing lubricant to help protect it.

Clean Interior Surfaces

It is always important to care for the interior of your boat. It is especially important to care for it before storing your boat for the winter. Boat covers are great for protecting your boat from the elements, but they also trap moisture.

You will want to make sure that your cover has a vent, which is a great way to reduce moisture. But to provide the best guard against the damage of water, wipe down your interior with a mildew spray before covering your boat.

Stabilize Fuel

Check for fuel leaks before storing your boat for the winter. You should also stabilize the fuel and change the fuel filter. Ideally, it is best if you could completely empty the fuel tank before storing your boat, but this just isn’t practical.

Boating season might be over, but you can still order a boat diving board from Lillipad Marine so you are set to go in the spring. Order your today.