Boat Maintenance Checklist for Fall
As boating season draws to a close on the East Coast, it's time to think about what you need to do before putting your watercraft into winter storage. At Sports Marine, we know that proper fall maintenance protects your investment and ensures a smooth start when the warm weather returns.
Get Your Boat Ready For Winter
Here's a comprehensive fall boat maintenance checklist to help you prepare for the off-season.
Engine & Fuel System Care: Your boat's engine is its heart, so it deserves extra attention before winter. Start by topping off the fuel tank and adding a marine-grade stabilizer. Doing this helps prevent fuel degradation. Then, run the engine briefly to allow the stabilizer to circulate. We also recommend an oil change, replacing oil filters, and checking the cooling system to make sure everything is in good shape before storage. When you perform these tasks preventively, it helps to prevent corrosion and costly repairs down the road.
Battery Maintenance: Cold weather can drain a battery quickly. Disconnect your boat's batteries, clean the terminals, and store them in a cool, dry place where you can charge them periodically. If you don't want to worry about this in the off-season, we can handle battery care and storage as part of our winterization boat services.
Water System Winterization: Any water left in the onboard systems can freeze, expand, and cause damage in colder temperatures. Before this happens, drain freshwater tanks, head systems, and live wells. Then, flush the lines with non-toxic antifreeze.
Protecting the Exterior: Fall is the perfect time to wash, wax, and polish your boat. When the exterior of your boat is in good condition, it creates a barrier against moisture and prevents grime from sitting on the surface all winter long. If you're looking for added protection, Sports Marine offers professional detailing and shrink wrapping to ensure your vessel stays clean and protected against snow, ice, and debris.
Trailer Inspection: If you use a trailer to transport your boat, you shouldn't forget about it once your watercraft is not in use. A neglected trailer can create delays once boating season kicks off again. To prevent issues, inspect the tires, bearings, and lights to make sure everything is ready for spring.
Safety Gear Check: As summer winds down, take this time to go through your life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, and first-aid kits. Replace anything that's expired or damaged. When boating season rolls around, you'll be ready to launch again with safety essentials in tow.
Interior Prep: Before storing the boat, remove all food, personal items, and electronics. You should also vacuum and clean the interior surfaces, as well as any unventilated storage areas, to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
Address Outstanding Repairs: If you've been putting off repairs to your boat, the start of the off-season is the perfect time to address them. The same goes for upgrades you've been wanting to make! Whether you're having a new GPS installed or you're due for your 100-hour annual maintenance, the pros at Sports Marine have you covered all year long.
Trust Sports Marine Center for Professional Boat Maintenance
Tackling boat maintenance now saves time, money, and headaches later. Whether you want to handle a few tasks yourself or leave the full checklist to the pros, we're here to perform full-service boat servicing and maintenance to keep your boat in peak condition.
Schedule your fall maintenance with Sports Marine today, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your boat will be ready to hit the water when spring arrives.