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Boat winterization : the 4 most common oversights

Hivernage de bateau

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It is logical to admit that one enjoys one's boat more during the summer, when the weather is pleasant for sailing, rather than in winter. Indeed, this is the ideal season for boaters to discover new landscapes in most regions. Nevertheless, it is crucial to ensure that you protect and keep your boat in good condition throughout the rest of the year.

That's why at the end of the season, usually around All Saints' Day, boaters MUST winterize their boats.

To understand everything about winterization, click here!

All boaters and boat owners are aware of the importance of winterization and despite this, many fall into the trap and frequently forget 4 things that we will see below.

Table of contents

Winterization afloat

Winterizing afloat is a widespread practice among boaters. In effect, it involves winterizing your boat without taking it out of the water and without storing it. This practice has certain advantages such as the immediate availability of your boat, but it requires more effort and cost than dry wintering. Staying afloat is not really a problem for boats since they are designed for it. However, it is important to note that in a storm, the mooring lines can break and you may find your boat damaged.

With dry winterization, your boat is taken out of the water and stored on a trailer - either at your home or at a professional dry port. This practice is more economical, in the long run, than wintering afloat since you don't have to pay the berth fee by leaving the boat afloat. Moreover the advantages offered by dry wintering are numerous: on land, for example, your boat hull is protected from the effects of sea water.

With winterization afloat, your boat's hull remains constantly exposed to the waterof the sea and risks on the one hand, corrosion by salt and on the other hand,the accumulation of shells and algae. These elements will reduce the performance of your boat by weighing it down and making the hull less slippery on the water.

Forgetting to empty the boat

Obviously, the price of a boat varies depending on the model and its equipment. Depending on your activities, you may have non-integrated equipment that is worth a small fortune : water sports equipment, fishing equipment, electronic equipment such as VHF, depth sounder or GPS... Unless you dry winterize your boat by storing it directly at home, your boat may be prone to theft of the non-integrated equipment. So think about bringing and storing this equipment at home!

Think also about your safety equipment such as life jackets or distress flares : it is important to take the time to check their condition, the expiration date and replace them if necessary. Once checked, take them with you or put them in a safe place, in a sufficiently dry area. If possible, do the same with your tack.

Neglecting the batteries

Battery winterization varies depending on the type of technology and components. Conventional batteries are composed of lead and require recharging approximately every 3 months. Their recharging capabilities are quite limited and overwintering can lead to discharge or even damage.

The new generation of batteries using newer technologies and new components such as gel, calcium or AGM do not need to be recharged during winter storage.

Nevertheless, it is important to follow certain procedures before winterizing the batteries :

  • Control the load
  • Disconnect the batteries
  • Disconnect the lugs
  • Control and grease the lugs
  • Grease the studs

 

Once this procedure is complete, be sure to leave the charger unplugged to avoid unpleasant surprises such as overheating and the risk of fire. The battery is a fairly reliable piece of boat equipment, as long as it is not exposed to moisture and corrosion. It is therefore best to remove batteries from the boat during winter storage and store them in a safe, cool place.

Remember to leave a battery so that the bilge pump can operate automatically if necessary !

Neglecting UV rays

The sun's ultraviolet rays can have a strong impact on the aesthetics of your boat, especially its hull. Indeed, when your boat is constantly exposed to the sun for a long period of time, the hull of your boat can become tarnished. Also note that if your boat's upholstery is made of leather and it is exposed to the sun, it can crack under the heat and dryness since the fibers will rub together.

Of course, this depends on the climate of the region where your boat is wintered.

It is always better to anticipate this situation : to do so, it is best to protect your boat with a tarp.

What you need to remember !

In short, just remember that winterizing is a very important process and one that all boaters know about. Unfortunately, some people fall into the trap and don't pay attention to check these 4 common oversights. 

Use our tips to avoid unpleasant surprises when you return. Save your money and ENJOY your boat ! 

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