Forget Anything? BoatU.S. Lists Eight Most Overlooked Chores when Putting Boats Up for the Winter

For the millions of recreational boaters in the U.S., fall means more than raking leaves and changing the furnace filters. This is the time when boaters in all but the warmest climates go through the annual ritual of winterizing their boats. According to a recent review of insurance claims in Seaworthy, the BoatU.S. Marine Insurance and Damage Avoidance Report, boaters most often overlook the following jobs when getting their boats ready for winter:

· Not draining the engine intake sea strainer. Water left in the strainer can freeze and break the watertight seal. When the ice thaws in the spring and the intake seacock is opened, water pours into the boat, often getting discovered too late.

· Not storing biminis and dodgers inside. "Many people think the same cover that protects you from sun and spray in the summer also protects the boat from sleet and snow in the winter, but it doesn't work that way," said Bob Adriance, editor of Seaworthy. "Not only do dodgers and biminis get ripped apart by winter winds, but accumulated snow often bends their aluminum support frames."

· Not closing all seacocks - except cockpit drains- when storing the boat in the water, including thru-hull fittings above the waterline. "Leaving seacocks open is like leaving your door open when you go on a long vacation," said Adriance. "It's a huge risk." If a thru-hole can't be closed, either because it is broken or mechanically frozen, the boat should be stored ashore.

· Not clearing cockpit drains. Every winter, boats are damaged or even sunk by nothing more than a few leaves blocking cockpit drains. Water then trickles through the companionway, staining the interior woodwork, delaminating the cabin sole and soaking into bulkheads.

· Not adding extra lines and chafe protection. Blustery winter winds can tear a dockline apart lots faster than gentle summer breezes. If a boat is stored in the water, double the docklines and add chafe protection.

· Not having the right cover for the boat. Shrink wrap is used frequently to protect new boats, and is also fine for old boats, as long as the shrink wrap is well ventilated. Without enough ventilation, problems can occur with mildew, rot and exterior boat paint. Protective boat covers also need to be well supported so they don't accumulate snow and water, and should never be secured to the jack stands or support blocks.

· Not checking the boat regularly during the winter. Don't rely on bilge pumps to "guard" the boat. Bilge pumps fail, and boats sink.

· Not thinking the boat needs winterizing. Boats in temperate climates need winterizing too. In 1998, California had more winterizing claims than any other state, including Alaska and Maine. Don't think below freezing temperatures "can't happen here".

For a free guide to winterizing your boat, go to BoatUS.com, any of the 55 BoatU.S. Marine Centers, or call 1-800-283-2883. With 515,000 members, BoatU.S. is the nation's largest organization of recreational boaters.

Posted: 9-20-2000