Winterize your sailboat - step-by-step checklist
October 9th, 2008Before you start winterizing your sailboat, you need to make some important decisions. How and where are you going to store the boat? If you intend to haul the boat out of the water, where are you going to store it? if you have to leave the boat in the water you need to get good local information about the severity of the ice formation and how best to combat it. You’ll also have to arrange for regular inspections of the boat during the coldest months.
Your sailboat will need a cover whether hauled out or in the water. Tarpaulins or shrink wrapping are options. Tarpaulins are less expensive, but require more frequent visits to keep everything tight and waterproof. If you unstep the mast you can use it as a support for the tarpaulin and allow air to circulate during the winter. Unstepping the mast also reduces windage and stops water from running down the stays into the swages at the turnbuckles, freezing and cracking the swages.
During the winterization procedure, the motor requires the most attention. The motor is the most vulnerable piece of equipment on the boat. All water needs to be drained off or protected with anti-freeze. The head also needs to be protected as does the fresh water system. All loose equipment should be removed from the boat. Electronic equipment should be removed and stored in a warm dry place. Batteries should be removed.
Sailingmates has a two part checklist of all work required to winterize your sailboat. Read the winterizing checklist here.
