When to Winterize a Boat
Who Needs to Winterize their Boat
As the temperatures cool down on Long Island it is important to protect your investment. If you are fortunate enough to have your boat in the beautiful surroundings of Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or the surrounding tri-state area, it is crucial to prioritize winterization. During the winter months, the temperatures can dip below 20 degrees! These areas are likely to experience cold snaps, snow and freezing conditions.
Even if your state is warmer in the fall and winter, winterization may still be necessary. Often, those in warmer climates experience problems with their vessel due to lack of winterization because cold weather comes on abruptly and therefore less prepared.
Overall, having your vessel checked out and winterized before the change in weather is always a good idea even if you live in a warmer climate. These routine checks can often uncover problems you did not see.
Why Winterize Your Boat
The most common type of insurance claims are when there are cracks in the engine block or the exhaust. This is because water is left behind and later expands due to freezing temperatures. We hear it far too often that an engine needs to be replaced when owners do not take this into account.
Consider all of the components of your boat that are in contact with water - from water holding tanks to livewells, bilge pumps, and engine water pumps. These essential parts all serve as reservoirs for water, ensuring the smooth functioning of your boat. Any little bit water left within those systems can cause damages when there is a night of cold weather. Moisture can build up in the fuel tank as well and form condensation due to changes in temperature.
Don't let all of these hidden problems go unresolved over the winter leading to an astronomical bill. To make matters worse, the excitement of your first day on the boat may be ruined when you realize your boat has more issues than anticipated.
When to Winterize Your Boat
It is difficult to give a definitive day or even month to winterize your boat. Of course, you want to plan ahead and allow time to schedule the service. Waiting too late could cause unnecessary damage before your appointment begins. Take into account that other boats are going to be scheduling their service as well and there could be a waiting period.
Where to Winterize Your Boat
Strong's Marine offers winterization at our service locations with experienced and trusted technicians to protect your boat. Although many people may want to do this on their own, unless you are an experienced technician, it is often best to leave this process to the experts to ensure you cover all the bases.
Schedule your service with our team to give you peace of mind and a worry free upcoming boating season at 631.791.6150.
