For all of you that have personal boats and don’t rent boats this post is for you.

Now that summer is gone and winter is creeping up on is there is one more major thing you should do to make sure you boat is ready to go next year and that is winterize your boat. This should be done now so that when spring comes around your boat is ready to go with very little work. Not to mention winterization of your boat greatly extends the life of your investment.

Okay here we go. The first step is to make sure the boat’s fuel tank is topped off so there is little room for expansion. Don’t forget to add a fuel stabilizer. If the tank is not full you can run the risk of corroding the fuel tank due to condensation forming inside the fuel tank. Make sure to turn off all fuel valves and seal all exhaust ports. Replace the water separator and the fuel filter.

Protecting your engine

Run the engine for a while to warm it up and change the oil while it's warm. This allows many of the impurities in the oil to be drained away. Change the oil filters. If the engine uses coolant make sure to drain it and replace with a propylene glycol antifreeze.

When a boat is not being used, oil tends to settle at the bottom of the engine block, exposing the pistons and valves to air, humidity and other corrosive materials. To avoid this situation remove the spark plugs and spray "fogging oil" inside the carburetor and into each cylinder. Replace the spark plugs without reconnecting the wires. Replace the engine's old gear oil with fresh oil.

For all you outboard engine owners

Flush engines with fresh water. Allow all water to drain from the engine and wash down the engine with soap and water. Disconnect the fuel hose and run the engine out of fuel. You want to make sure all fuel is drained from the carburetor. Use fogging oil in the cylinders. Apply water resistant grease to propeller shaft and threads, and lightly lubricate the exterior of the engine. Change the gear oil in the lower unit.

If you will be storing your boat out of the water, disconnect the batter and store it at home. Boats left in the water should have the battery in place and functioning so the bilge pump with function as required. Make sure to keep the battery charged or keep it on a trickle charger. Don’t forget to check the fluid level in the battery from time to time.
Propeller maintenance

This is also a good time to check your boat's propeller and hub. Bent or nicked propeller blades will diminish performance. The hub may also be have sustained extensive wear. If this type of damage is apparent, replace the propeller and make any necessary repairs during the winterizing process.

This is a great time to make sure your boat is spotless.

Take the time to clean out your boat thoroughly, both inside and out. Take the time to scrub the outside of the boat remove and scum or barnacles that have formed. These will be much harder to remove when it comes time to take your boat out again. Once the outside has been thoroughly cleaned apply a quality polish. Clean the interior of the boat making sure to pay attention to any wood surfaces. Clean the carpet and vinyl so everything is ready to go in the spring.

To help keep your boat free from mildew, you may wish to install a dehumidifier or use a moisture absorber. Turn any cushions up on edge so that air can circulate around them, or better yet, remove them from the boat.

Drain and clean the bilges. (If your boat will be stored out of the water remove all drain plugs and put them in a place where they'll be easy to find when re-launching your boat in the spring.) Spray the bilges with moisture displacing lubricant and add a little antifreeze.

If you have a toilet on board… empty it already

Pump out the holding tank at an approved facility. While pumping, add fresh water to the bowl and flush several times. Use an approved cleaner for your type of system, and let the solution sit for a few minutes before adding more fresh water and pumping it out again. Add antifreeze and pump the coolant through the hoses, holding tank, Y-valve, macerator and discharge hose. Check your owner's manual to be sure that an alcohol based antifreeze won't damage your system.

Drain the water tanks

Be sure to drain the water tanks. Isolate the hot water heater by disconnecting the in and out lines and connecting them together. Put in a non-toxic antifreeze and run it through the whole system including taps and shower until the antifreeze starts coming out. Add a non-toxic antifreeze to the water heater.

Get your boat out of the water

If have a trailer put the boat on the trailer and put the trailer up on blocks to avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on the tires. Make sure to check the tire pressure and inspect them for wear and tear.

Put the boat undercover. If you are storing your boat outside you’ll need to get a boat cover. This should protect your boat against dirt, bugs and bird droppings.