If you plan to put your boating excursions on hold during the cooler months, don’t forget to winterize your boat so it remains ready for use when the weather warms again.
And while you’re working down that to-do list, don’t forget about your irrigation and landscape pumps, and dock.
Texas may not be known for difficult winters, but it was just four years ago that Winter Storm Uri dumped record amounts of snow across the Lone Star State, with frigid temperatures and severe weather impacting all 254 counties.
Winterizing your watercraft isn’t just for record-breaking events. It should be a part of best practices to keep them in tip-top shape, so that, come spring, you’re ready to enjoy the water. Boats are expensive. Take care of those investments by not skipping essential maintenance and upkeep tasks.
Different models and sizes require different steps for winterizing, and if you’re not familiar with the process, hiring someone to handle the job might be the best option.
If you bring someone in to winterize a boat while it’s over one of the Brazos River Authority reservoirs, make sure it’s an approved contractor by reaching out to the lake offices at Possum Kingdom, Granbury, and Limestone.
“If you’re going to hire someone to winterize your boat in its slip over the water, reach out to our office and we’ll get you a list of insured contractors permitted to do the work,” said Kyle Lewis, Lake Granbury assistant reservoir manager/project manager. “These contractors have to have insurance and pollution coverage, so that if they spill something, they then have to make sure it’s cleaned properly.”
Any contractors that would like to be BRA-approved need to reach out to the lake office to start the process so they can work on the lake, Lewis said.
If you decide to handle winterizing your watercraft on your own, boat-ed.com has some suggested steps to help ensure your success.
- • Review your owner's manual thoroughly first before doing anything else. Watercraft have their own winterization recommendations, so it's essential to follow the specific guidelines tailored to your boat or jet ski.
- If your boat has an inboard engine, it’s time to change the oil and oil filters and flush the engine with fresh water. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to circulate antifreeze through the manifold. Spray each cylinder with “fogging oil” to help protect it against corrosion. Finish by spraying a cloth with WD-40 and wiping down the engine, as this helps clean and protect your engine by displacing moisture.
- For boats with outboard motors, make sure all water drains out. Drain the fuel from the carburetor using the instructions in the owner’s manual. Lubricate all parts thoroughly and apply fogging oil on the pistons and cylinders. Use water-resistant grease on the threads and propeller shaft. Lightly wax the engine’s exterior.
- Remove any barnacles or plants. Then, for boats with a rudder boot, check for pinholes or cracks. Drain the oil, then check for excess moisture. Wash the unit’s exterior with soap and water. Grease all fittings. Check the fluid levels in the lift pumps or the hydraulic steering system.
- Fill the fuel tanks and add a fuel stabilizer. This helps avoid condensation buildup in the tanks. Then, change the fuel filter and water separator.
- Empty the bilge of all water and clean it with soap and water. Dry it thoroughly and spray it with lubricant to help displace moisture.
- Does your boat have a freshwater tank or hot water heaters? It’s important to completely drain this system.
It’s worth saying again: Review your owner's manual thoroughly. Come spring, you want to be sure you’re not spending a beautiful, sunny day elbow-deep in repair work when you could be on the water.
Whether you winterize your boat yourself or hire someone to take care of it, there are a few other important maintenance steps for those lakeside.
“If you have irrigation and landscape pumps, make sure they are secure and dried for the winter so they don’t freeze and break,” Lewis said. “Make sure any exposed pumps and pipes are winterized.”
Storms can swoop in when you least expect them, so make sure everything is secure.
“After a big windstorm, it’s not uncommon for a few boats to make their way away from where they’re supposed to be,” he said. “Something will break, shaking in the wind, a lift strap will break, and the boat falls, and the wind takes it out. Tie your boat to your dock so that if a strap does break in the weather, it doesn’t drift away from your dock. If your boat's in a slip, even if it's in a lift, make sure it’s tied to the dock itself. Double-secure it.”
While you’re double securing your watercrafts, take a second to scan the rest of the dock, too. Anything that isn’t tied down – kayaks, furniture, the kids’ floating toys – can try to take flight during a storm. Secure it all or put it away in storage.
Spend a little time now taking care of your treasures and investments so there are many more beautiful lake days ahead.