WINTER STORAGE PROTECTS THE BOAT FROM WEATHER AND THIEVES

As the summer boating season draws to a close, and the last of the summer boaters prepare their boats for winter storage, it is important to thoroughly maintain your boat. This will ensure that the next boating season doesn’t start with a nasty surprise.

Here are some things to consider when preparing your boat for winter storage:

• Make sure the boat is still in the water before checking the engine and filling the fuel tank.
• When lifting the boat, pay special attention to the condition of the bottom, taking into account the spring maintenance needs.
• Remove valuables and loose objects from the boat.
• Clean the boat inside and out.
• Cover the boat carefully with a protective cover.
• Make regular inspections of your boat, also during the winter season.

Boating in Finnish winter conditions is challenging, and most boats are lifted out of the water for winter storage. Before lifting the boat, it is worth considering what maintenance is easier to carry out while the boat is still in the water. For example, it may be easier to refuel before the boat is lifted.

When lifting the boat, it is important to use the lifting equipment or vehicles intended for this purpose. This will prevent damage to the hull of the boat during the lifting phase. In addition, make sure that you use the correct type of docking support for your boat so that the boat does not capsize when being lifted onto the supports.

Once the boat is out of the water, it is also possible to check the bottom of the boat. Clean the boat thoroughly after it has been lifted out of the water. At the same time you can check the condition of the bottom. For example, when sailing at sea, the bottom of the boat can be infected with various types of vegetation.

It is recommended to get a protective cover for the bottom of the boat to prevent the growth from sticking. However, it is important to ensure that the cover used does not harm the environment or aquatic life. If there is toxic paint on the bottom of the boat, ensure that washing and maintenance does not lead to harmful substances entering the soil or water.

Winterizing a boat requires maintenance of both the exterior and interior of the boat. Neglecting maintenance can shorten the life of your boat and cause unpleasant surprises when the boating season starts again in the spring. Therefore, you should take the time to winterise your boat and carry out the maintenance carefully.

Structures outside the boat should be cleaned and checked before sheltering it to prevent moisture from remaining in the boat. The interior of the boat should be cleared of valuables and loose items, and a general inspection of the condition of the boat should be carried out.

Perhaps the most important step in preparing your boat for the winter season is to carefully protect it with a tarpaulin. Winter conditions in Finland vary widely, so your boat needs to be protected from snow, rain, wind and other weather conditions.

Even if the protection has been carried out as carefully as possible, the boat should not be left unchecked for the whole winter. Sometimes even the most carefully protected boat can be exposed to problems, and it is important to react quickly to correct the situation.

For example, a heavy snowstorm or downpour can cause a boat cover to tear, allowing snow or water to enter the boat and freeze inside. At the very least, after heavy rain and wind, the condition of the boat should always be checked.