Winterising your boat
It’s Autumn, which means we’re about to use our boats one last time for the next few months. Have you thought about starting to winterise your boat? Winter weather can wreak havoc if your boat is not prepared for hibernation.
What is winterising? Basically, it’s preparing your boat to continue functioning after staying idle during the winter.
Though not an exhaustive list, make sure you’re ready to go at the start of Spring with these great suggestions.
Fill up your fuel tank
Since nearly all boat fuel tanks are vented to the atmosphere, water from condensation can (and will) collect in your fuel. When the concentration of water molecules in your fuel tank reaches just 0.5%, the water molecules will sink to the bottom, where your fuel pick up is. Depending on the amount of water ingested into your outboard, this can result in everything from running problems to catastrophic damage.
Add a fuel stabiliser/conditioner
Make sure to add a quality, marine-specific non-alcohol-based formula. These are specifically designed to work effectively in the moisture-rich environments common to boats.
Use a trickle battery charger to avoid any battery/starting problems in Spring
A trickle battery charger is useful because it’s designed to be left on the battery for a long period and recharge it by ‘trickling’ the power over time. It slowly charges the battery and doesn’t let it deplete as normal batteries do. There are many different types of chargers depending on your boat and battery, so ask for help if you’re not sure which one to use.
Check your fuel connections and lines for any leaks
Make sure you do the check now instead of waiting until Spring, weak connections can worsen over time, plus there’s the risk of condensation building up in an emptying fuel tank.
Check your boat cover for any rips or tears
If your storage space is exposed to the Winter weather, check that your boat cover isn’t damaged. You need to keep the water out, otherwise the condensation can lead to dry rot and mould.
Secure your boat with a trailer lock
Trailer locks are great for long term storage. Made from hardened steel, they are a simple deterrent against theft. Don’t risk it – make sure you still have a boat after Winter.
Top tips for a happy boat
Keep it fresh
Buy your gas where they sell a lot of it. The goal is to keep your boat’s fuel fresh and potent all the time. Why buy gas that’s already been sitting around untreated? Buy the freshest fuel you can find, and at fill up, treat each tank with a fuel stabilizer and conditioner. Add these before adding the fuel so they mix up well. It’s an easy, proactive and protective habit to get into.
Filter out the water
Install a fuel/water separating filter in the fuel line between your fuel tank and your outboard. It filters the gas and allows any water (which is heavier than gas) to safely sink to the bottom of the filter and out of the fuel.
Visit our showroom – Turangi & Lake Taupo Marine
Turangi Marine is located just off State Highway 1, Atirau Road, Turangi – only a hop, skip and jump from the lake. Their large showroom has a wide range of outboards, boats, boat packages, and all marine and watersports related accessories. They are boat dealers for Buccaneer and Mac Hulls, and supply
Yamaha outboards as the Turangi and Lake Taupo Outboard Dealer. For more information on their products and services pop in to the showroom, contact them on 07 386 8474 or visit www.turangimarine.co.nz.
Got any questions? The team at Turangi Marine are here to help you with anything, for any season.