Dreading the cold temperature is understandable for every boat owner, as winterizing your investment can be a hassle thing to do. People may skip this maintenance process on their boat because they don’t know how important this is. You might apprehensively take this matter seriously because this is an additional financial burden.
You may ponder, how much does it cost to winterize a boat? Is it worth it? It is normal to process these thoughts when it comes to winterizing because, as the season ends, de-winterizing can be another course.
This protective measure has a lot of benefits for your boat. And getting to know how this process works will let you see the bigger picture.
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Why Winterize a Boat?
Winterizing a boat is a process of protecting the engine and other boat parts sensitive to the cold. As the temperature hits below zero, these parts can crack and malfunction when you use the boat again.
This protective process overall prolongs the life of your boat. A proper winterizing procedure keeps the exterior and interior portions of your boat safe from the freezing temperatures.
For example, ships’ gel coats don’t work well with low temperatures; it may look brittle off immediately. Water that may have crept in may also freeze, damaging its interiors. The entire process prevents these unfortunate events from happening.
If your state does not necessarily experience below zero temperatures annually, you may rethink about winterizing even more. Studies show that those states with lesser tendency to hit stable temperatures below zero have more boat repairs after the winter. That is because boat owners don’t take winterizing seriously in these areas.
Even though these areas are not prone to prolonged or severe weather conditions, remember that it takes a short time for the boat’s sensitive parts to malfunction. Proper storage and winterizing techniques can prevent costly repairs in the future.
How Much Does It Cost to Winterize a Boat?
Taking this procedure seriously can cost you some money. Owning a boat does take responsibility, and this responsibility goes beyond every sunny day you spend it out in open water.
Upfront, winterizing is not cheap. The average cost of winterizing a boat is around $300. This average cost can change depending on your location. Professional fees can also vary. This average can go down to as little as $150 if you have a smaller boat, around $500 if you have a bigger one, or want to invest in other winterizing accessories.
If you don’t have an area for storage, this may be another financial worry. Storage prices, again, vary per location. It can be as low as $30 to a hefty $500 per month. This price range will all depend on the size of your boat, other accessories not included, and on where you live.
Can I DIY the Winterizing Process?
Fortunately, winterizing can be done quickly at your convenience. Having a DIY winterizing procedure cuts costs because you skip paying the professional fee. The average cost of a DIY winterization is around $70 to $150. This price could be less or more, depending on the products you will use.
On having a DIY process, you are hands-on in the entire process. You know what parts badly need to be protected and learn how to take care of them. The materials used in the process are guaranteed to be of high-quality because you bought them yourself.
There are a lot of kits and materials in stores too. The marine industry has grown that most of the products for winterization aren’t out of reach anymore. Having a checklist and list of products specialized for boat winterization can also help.
The downside is that this can be a stressful thing to do on your own. You need to secure the right materials for your boat. If you have not winterized a ship before, you may need to learn an entire process to ensure you have properly secured all the sensitive parts for the cold weather.
You don’t have to worry about the process because a lot of tutorials can help you. These tutorials will guide you on the materials you will need and the whole procedure to miss the important ones.
What Are the Consequences if I Don’t Winterize my Boat?
The cost of not winterizing is greater than the hassle and the monetary value of winterizing your boat. Again, having a boat is a responsibility that owners should take. In the long run, winterizing is still superior in terms of keeping your engine, batteries, and other parts well-functioning after winter.
Here are a few damages that might happen if you don’t winterize:
- Sensitive parts can crack.
- Frozen water can expand the engine and other parts.
- Mold and mildew can build up interiorly.
- Corrosion in the wires.
- Cracks in the body and the hull.
Repairs of these damages can be costly, depending on the part that is damaged. Fixing the cracks will also not guarantee that it will work like how it used to.
Conclusion
Winterization will cost you less than having the burden of repairs after winter. How much does it cost to winterize a boat is not the right question to ask, but how much can you save by winterizing your boat. You don’t only save yourself from the costly repairs; you also keep your boat’s extended life for a longer time. Having a DIY winterization process can keep your financial worries at a minimum.
Use a high-quality antifreeze for boats. Change the oil of your engine before winter kicks in. A warm engine helps flush out the old oil. Disconnect the batteries of your boat. Removing and storing them in a warmer location can maintain its condition for a good time. Get a durable boat cover. It may be expensive, but this is a significant investment you can bank on.
“I am James Harvey – founder of Boating Basics Online. It is established with the drive to help out first-time boaters, which are those desiring to explore their way through the water. So if you are new to boating, start from here with me. “