Tips to prepare your boat for winter

As a boat owner you make a choice before the winter whether you leave your boat or ship in the water, or whether it goes aside. In both cases there are specific things that you have to take into account to let your ship get through the winter well. We list six tips:

The most important things in preparing the boat for the winter are:

The engine
The technology, gas/electricity on board
Toilet and drinking water supply
The hull and deck
The rigging
The equipment/in the boat

1) The engine

In addition to the normal maintenance that belongs to the engine, such as changing and renewing oil, checking filters, it is the most important thing to make it frost resistant for the winter period, in which frost can be expected. Don't think too lightly about that, you can suffer serious damage to the engine if you don't.

First you need to know if you have an open or closed cooling water system. With a closed system, the cooling system is filled with coolant. Not much can go wrong with that. With an open cooling system, water is sucked in from outside to cool the engine. Here it is important to make the engine ready for winter. No water may remain in the system.

Close the valve of the water inlet.
Open the algae filter.
Let the engine run while you quietly pour antifreeze into the alarm filter.
Turn off the engine if antifreeze comes out of the exhaust of the cooling water system. (Catch this with a bucket, antifreeze is very bad for the environment)
Close the valves. Open and close the valve of the inlet, so that antifreeze comes in the bullet/closing.

2) The technology, gas/electricity on board:

Disconnect the possible gas bottles on board and save the bottles at home, preferably in a dry place with ventilation. Check the gas hoses and couplings and replace them on time. (Replace snakes at least every 3 years).
If a battery discharges, the electrolyte turns into water, which can freeze. It is therefore advisable to keep your batteries fully loaded. Putting this occasionally to the charger is wise. If you can easily remove the batteries, you can store them on a dry (frost -free) place. Occasionally charging there is advisable. Also check whether the batteries should be topped up (with distilled water).
As far as possible, remove electrical equipment and save it at home, in a dry and warm place. Spray open connections and contact points on board with moisture -resistant spray against corrosion.
Pay attention to rotating parts, such as steering column, winches etc. Make sure that gears and the like are greased.
Remove water from the bilge and clean it. Also make the gas bun well clean and dry.

3) Toilet and drinking water supply:

Use a non -toxic antifreeze for all water systems on board. So do not use the toxic variant that is often used in cars. You can find the good species at the Watersportwinkel.
Your toilet only dry pumps is not enough. Water can remain in turns and ridges. Disconnect the hose of the water inlet (of course closes the valve) and hang it in a reservoir of antifreeze. Pump it through the toilet and then close the valve to the outside.
Let all the water run out of the drinking water tank. If necessary, remove the last residual water manually with a sponge via the inspection hole, immediately a good time to clean the tank. Make sure that no water remains in the hoses and water pumps.
Tick a possible boiler well. First remove the power with an electric boiler.
Let all valves on board fill with antifreeze. Pour antifreeze into the supply point/hose, open and close the valve once so that antifreeze remains in the bullet.
If your boat is on the side, close the valves (let water run out first). Cold and moisture enters via outstanding valves. Smearing the valves for the winter is wise against corrosion. (Via the skin outlet)

4) Hull and deck:

Clean the hull and deck well. Dirt can fix itself in the winter.
It pays to wax the polyester for the winter for protection. Boen the laundry only in the spring.
Encourage places. So where paint is treated for the winter.
Fat rubbers of shutters, windows and the like.
Use a cover if it is possible. Water can stand in small corners and cracks and can cause damage to your deck due to freezing.
Open internal shutters and baking boxes for ventilation. This helps prevent mold.
Check the treatment of the underwater ship: can this for another year or something has to be done about it. Read more in it Article about the use of the correct antifouling.

5) Rigage:

Get sailing and walking because the ship and save it dry at home.
Spread any rolling systems from the Rolfok or Roller Grandeil.
Check the stake, there are wheats, nods and the like are all the locking pins still present and in good condition?
Clean blocks and discs.

6) The equipment/in the boat:

Remove cushions, or put them upright to prevent mold.
Clean the boat well, all food and perishable ones out. Also bottles and cans, these can freeze.
Just get everything that can suffer from moisture and cold and save it at home.
Remove clothing and life jackets. Check the rescue vests for maintenance.
Check the fire extinguishers and let them inspect them on time.
Place moisture feet in the different spaces.

Winter -ready

The tasks to make your boat ready for winter will differ per boat. Just pay attention to where water can remain, where moisture and cold can cause damage, and dissolve these points. Also, during the winter storage, go and see how your boat is there. Are you still good?

Also look at it Knowledge center of "Sailing you together" For more information about motor maintenance, rigging, gas on board and electricity on board and the shelf life of petrol. As an aid, the ANWB also has a handy one Checklist for the winter ready for your boat composed.

Good, safe speed!

Source: Varendoejesamen.nl