Winter can be rough on boats, especially engines, hulls, or anything that comes into contact with the water. Taking a few preventative measures before storing your boat for the season will go a long way towards keeping your pontoon boat in peak condition and ready to hit the water come the spring. New Jersey Outboards, serving New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, has prepared a list of winterization tips and suggestions to help get your pontoon ready to last through the coldest months of the year.
Cleaning
When you plan to store your boat for the winter the first step is give it a thorough cleaning. Go over your boat front to back and top to bottom and give it some love. Scrub off any grime or algae that has built up over the boating season, sweep the deck, clean all the little crevices in the seats. Not only will a detailed cleaning make you happier when you pull your boat out of storage, but it will help protect your pontoon boats components over the winter. Remove any non critical gear from the boat. Water skis, fishing rods, towels, and PFDs are all able to trap moisture in your boat, which leads to mold and mildew. After you’re done cleaning, make sure your boat has time to dry, because trapped moisture is your boats biggest enemy when it is in storage.
Engine Care
Prepping your engine is the next step. Every model of engine is unique, so you should always consult your owner's manual before maintenance. Here are the general guidelines for winterizing an outboard motor.
Fill up your engine with fuel, add fuel stabilizer at the recommended dose. Run your engine for a little bit, allowing the stabilized fuel to circulate in the engine. While your engine is still running, hit the cylinders with some fogging oil. This will help protect the cylinders from rust and corrosion. After running your engine, change your oil and oil filter.
Storage
Unless you have an indoor garage or another space to store your pontoon boat, you’re going to want to invest in a cover. A breathable cover is your best bet because it prevents accumulation of moisture in the boat, but keep in mind that if your cover isn’t applied tightly then snow and rain can pool on top of your boat and drip through the cover. While your boat is in storage, it's a good idea to check on it once in awhile. If you’re renting a lot for storage instead of keeping your boat in the driveway make it a habit to swing by every so often, especially if some severe weather blows in.
The last step before storage is to remove your battery and store it somewhere dry and cool, connected to a trickle charger. If you don’t want to use a trickle charger then simply remember to charge it once a month and keep the battery healthy.
Remember, giving your pontoon boat a thorough scrubbing (inside and out) will help prevent corrosion or mold build up while your boat is in storage. Additionally, using a fuel stabilizer or even running your engine during the off-season will keep everything in working order and prevent costly repairs in the spring. New Jersey Outboards, wants your pontoon boat to last safely through the winter, and if you take the above steps you’ll be ready to hit the lake when the weather thaws. If you want some additional help with preparing your boat for the cold season, visit our dealership serving Delaware and Philadelphia, PA, and let our outstanding staff help prepare your pontoon for the winter!