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As the winter months advance, those who own boats must start to contemplate just how they are going to store their delicate machine, not to mention just how to properly insulate and prepare it for the cold.

Living in a climate with frigid winters dictates that you take your boat out of the water for a number of months each year. Your first decision will likely be whether to find some space to store your boat indoors, or whether to brave the elements and stow it outside.

Clearly if you use an outboard motor with your boat, you can store the motor indoors and the boat itself outdoors. This might be a fairly simple solution. However, if you are thinking about outdoor boat storage and your craft has an inboard engine, there are additional factors to consider with your decision.

It is completely safe to keep your boat outside during winter, even if you have low temperatures and considerable snowfall. But if temperatures do fall below minus zero or in that range for a long time then storing your craft outdoor may cause damage to the boat.

If the engine or other components become frozen, it could result in expensive reparation that must wait all the way until springtime. So those who live in extremely cold whether should really rule out this option.

Study the manufacturer’s advice on how to properly ready your boat for winter outdoors. If you have any additional concerns, ask the boat dealer you purchased your product from. Make sure that all accessories used for preparation are approved by the manufacturer, because any other products could be seen as a void of your warranty.

To ready engines for winter, they made need to be bleed of oils and coolants. If there are any pricey or touchy accessories that can be removed, it may be wise to move it indoors into a safe and dry environment. Make sure to cover the boat completely with a sturdy tarp, not a cheap plastic tarp. Instead purchase heavy duty canvas tarps, and make sure it completely covers the boat.

When warmer weather arrives, promptly uncover your boat and fully inspect it for any damage. Pay particular attention to any signs of rot or animal intrusion, and cracks due to the cold. Have any damage repaired as soon as possible, and certainly before putting the boat into the water.

If you follow manufacturer’s instructions for outdoor boat storage, cover your craft with a high-quality tarp, and regularly check on the boat during the winter, you will have no problems and be on the water at the first sign of spring.

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