Do it in the right order
Start while the boat is still in the water or has just been lifted. Then you can reach everything, and there's still water to flush the engine. Covering comes last.
- Engine and drive: winterize according to the owner's manual. See winterizing the boat engine and winter storage for the outboard.
- Empty the holding tank before the boat is hauled out.
- Water, toilet and pumps: drain or add antifreeze.
- Wash the hull right after the lift.
- Clear the boat of cushions, textiles, food and valuables.
- Batteries: charge and disconnect.
- Set the boat up securely and cover it.
Hull and deck
- Wash the hull as soon as the boat is out. Fouling is hard to remove once it has dried on.
- Many clubs only allow hulls with biocide antifouling to be washed on a wash pad with water treatment. Check the rules where your boat is stored.
- Look for cracks and stone chips. Small damage can be repaired in autumn, see repairing gelcoat.
- Dry out water in the cockpit and bilge before covering.
Water, toilet and tanks
Frost damage to pipes and tanks is something insurers often see in spring. Drain the fresh water tank, water heater and pump. Leave the taps open. Winterise the toilet and pumps with propylene glycol, not automotive antifreeze.
Step-by-step instructions are in winterising fresh water and toilet. Holding tank rules are in toilet waste from leisure boats.
Interior, cushions and electronics
- Take home cushions, mats, canvas and textiles. Dry them before storing.
- Empty the fridge and food lockers completely.
- Clean all surfaces. Mould grows on dirt and food residue.
- Prop open hatches and lockers so air can circulate.
- Take home loose electronics, handheld VHF and other items likely to be stolen.
More about damp in damp and mould in the boat.
Batteries and fuel
- Fully charge the batteries, turn off the main battery switch and disconnect them. Many take them home and keep them on a maintenance charger. See 12 volts on board.
- Check your club's rules on electricity. At Nacka Båtklubb you may only charge temporarily, for a week at most, and heating in the boat is forbidden.
- Fuel tank: follow the engine manufacturer's advice on whether to fill or empty it.
Theft and insurance
- With Atlantica, outboards under 25 hp must be removed and locked away. Larger engines must be secured with an approved outboard lock. Check the terms of your own insurance.
- Remove the drive early if you can. Drives are a target for thieves when the boat is ashore.
- Lock the ladder and mark the boat with your name and phone number.
More in boat insurance.
Setting up and covering
The boat should stand level, with the weight on the cradle or the keel. The stands should only keep it upright. Cover it with a slope so snow and water run off, and leave room for air. Read storing the boat ashore and covering the boat for winter.
During the winter
- Check on the boat after storms and heavy snowfall.
- Tighten ropes that have stretched and check the stands when the ground thaws.
- Check the vents and look for water or ice under the cover.
In spring, carry on with the spring commissioning checklist.
Frequently asked questions
When should the boat be ready for winter?
Water and engine should be drained or winterised before the first frosty night. Many clubs also require the boat to be covered within a certain time. At Nacka Båtklubb the limit is three weeks after haul-out.
Can the cushions stay in the boat?
Preferably not. The air in a boat ashore is damp all winter, and textiles soak up the moisture and go mouldy. Take them home dry.
Do I need to insure the boat over winter?
Insurance can cover damage on land, for example if the boat topples in a storm or is stolen. Gjensidige advises against cancelling it over the winter.
Is covering the boat enough?
No. The cover keeps out rain and snow but does not protect pipes and engine from frost. They must be drained or winterised with antifreeze first.
Sources
- Checklista inför vinterförvaringen, Atlantica atlantica.se
- Så förbereder du båten för vinterförvaring, Gjensidige gjensidige.se
- Vinterliggare på land, Nacka Båtklubb nackabk.se
- Pallning av motorbåt (motorlås, drev), Atlantica atlantica.se