As Winters in the UK get colder it becomes more and more imperative to winterize the hull and interior of your boat. Those boat owners, who miss this vital step in protecting your boat, suffer the consequences come Spring.
If you aren’t sure where to start, these easy to follow steps will help you plan what to do to protect your boat before you condemn your vessel to boat storage for the winter.
1. Think BBC – Blisters, Barnacles and Cracks
The first thing to do when preparing your boat for winter is to check the hull for blisters in the gelcoat. Blisters are a sign that the coating has been compromised, weakened if you will, meaning that water could penetrate and cause rot or damage over time. Barnacles are easy to spot and easy to remove. Just pressure wash the boat, scrape the remaining off and then sand down the area. Lastly check for cracks. If stress cracks have appeared over time contact a professional.
2. Wax On, Wax Off
Apologies for the Karate Kid reference but it is relevant, bear with me…. Winter is the perfect time to get the shine back in your gelcoat. Simply wash and wax your boat before committing it to boat storage. Whilst this may seem like a lot of effort for an object you aren’t going to see for a couple of months, come Spring you will remember why you bothered.
3. Inside Job
When preparing your boat for storage the inside is just as important as the outside. Both dry and moist conditions can cause problems for your interior if you don’t execute the correct preventative measures. To begin with vacuum and shine the brightwork, then ventilate the boat well and spray all the vinyl with a mildew inhibitor. This will help prevent you returning to a mouldy boat come Spring. It is also wise to remove all electronics and the temperature drop can affect them too.
4. Boat Storage
There are two types of boat storage, inside and out. Both have their advantages and disadvantages so in the end it is up to you to decide which is best for you and which you can afford. We would suggest that you double-check that boat storage along the coast is sturdy enough to endure high winds and heavy snow just incase.
Whilst being outside on a dark cold night in December seems like a chore, come Spring you’ll be back on the waves before you know it.
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