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If you’re like many boat owners, you store your boat in a garage during winter. This is a great way to protect your investment and keep it in good condition, protected from the elements of harsh winters.
But do you need to winterize your boat if it’s stored in a garage? In this blog post, we’ll answer that question and provide some tips on winterizing your boat.
What is winterizing a boat and why do you need to do it?
Let’s start with the basics. Winterizing your boat is the process of getting it ready for the colder months. The main reason this is important is because there is water in the boat’s components and you don’t want this water to freeze (and expand), potentially causing damage and in turn costly repairs.
Winterizing should be a part of every boat owner’s annual maintenance plan. Just as with anything, if you take good care of your boat and do the proper maintenance and repairs, you should get a lot more life out of your boat! Just because summer is over and you’re not thinking about your boat anymore, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need to be properly prepared for storage during the colder, non-usage months ahead.
Winterizing Boats stored in a Garage is a good idea
Many people wonder whether you still need to winterize a boat even if it’s stored in a garage. The answer is yes, you should still winterize your boat, even if it’s stored in a garage for the winter. While winterizing your boat with a mechanic will cost you a little bit of money, it’s money well spent.
The cost associated with winterizing is a small amount compared to the potential damage that not winterizing can cost. Not to mention the time you won’t be able to use your boat because it’ll be in the shop for repairs!
How much does it cost to winterize a boat?
The cost of winterizing a boat really depends on a lot of factors, so there isn’t one sweet spot for the price. It depends on the type of mechanic you go to, the area of the country you live in, and of course the type of boat you have.
Generally speaking, you should expect to spend around $200 for winterizing your boat, but it can cost more (or less). The best way to find out the cost is to call a couple mechanics in your local area and get a quote. Since winterizing is a very standard maintenance item, they generally have pricing information available over the phone.
When should you winterize your boat?
The best time to winterize your boat is before the first frost of the season. This way, you can be sure that all the water in your boat’s components is removed and won’t cause any damage. Since water expands when it freezes, you really want to avoid having water left in your boat when the first frost comes around.
The timing of the first frost really depends on which part of the country you live in. Oftentimes, gardening resources have a pretty close prediction for the first frost, but definitely don’t rely on that exclusively. You’ll want to keep a close eye on the temperature to ensure you don’t “miss the boat” (pun intended). If you’re done using the boat for the season, it’s best practice just to go ahead and get it winterized right away, so you don’t have to think about it anymore.
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Who can winterize boats?
Boat ownership has many benefits. It allows you to enjoy the water during the warmer months and explore new and beautiful places. However, it also comes with certain responsibilities, such as winterizing your vessel to protect it from the cold weather.
This is where a boat mechanic can be extremely helpful. They will be able to properly prepare your boat for winter storage, ensuring that it is protected from the elements and ready to hit the water when spring arrives. In addition, they can also perform routine maintenance and repairs, helping to keep your boat in top condition.
So if you’re looking for someone to help you with your boat this winter, be sure to give a boat mechanic a call.
Unless you are trained in boat repairs and maintenance, we would recommend not doing this yourself.
Conclusion
Winterizing your boat is an important part of boat ownership and something that you should do every year, even if your boat is stored in a garage. Winterizing will protect your investment and ensure that it’s ready to hit the water when spring arrives.
