It may be the start of spring but there’s still some snow on the ground in New Jersey. Given that we thought it would be worth reviewing a few cold weather maintenance tips for our boat owner friends.
Some maintenance is hard work, but if you don’t prepare your boat properly for the cold weather, you can end up spending a lot to fix it later.
Here are some tips to make sure your boat does well during the cold weather and is ready to go when those warm days finally arrive.
1. Check for cracks
Your boat is made to withstand salt water and sun but ice can split window tracks and open hatches. This can cause leaks in the boat and damage to the interior. It is important to cover your boat thoroughly to ensure that it’s protected.
Search the boat for any stress cracks. Look for gelcoat blisters and puncture them, drain them, dry them and patch them up with epoxy-based filler.
2. Service the engine
Follow your user’s manual to protect your boat’s engine. Engine maintenance can include a lot, such as adding checking wires, plugs, caps, rotors, hoses, belts, fuel screens, and cables, flushing the cooling system, changing the gear lube, draining the block, circulating pump, and manifold, and checking the fuel line, propeller, steering and power trim fluids.
3. Power wash
Give your boat a good power wash to remove any barnacles or other organisms that might be hitching a ride. Scrape them off and sand down any of the residual damage. You can use a paste wax that creates a shield of acrylic over the entire hull of the ship to prevent dirt from penetrating the wax.
4. Protect the interior
Cold air can wreak havoc with the vinyl interior of a boat. It is important to use protectants and cleansers to protect it from cracking and drying out. Cracks can allow moisture in and that can lead to mildew.
Make sure to vent your boat to allow for good airflow, so you won’t have to open it back up and deal with extensive mildew and mold coverage. Remove any of the electrical devices that you can, to prevent corrosion. Spray any of the exposed connections with a moisture-displacing spray lubricant.
It’s not only important to look after your boat mechanically it’s also important to have the right insurance. At John B. Wright, we’ve been covering boaters for 50 years. If you’re not sure that your boat is adequately insured or just have questions, call us on 800-224-6693 or fill out the form on our website here and we’ll get back to you.
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