The winter is now slowly creeping in and, for many, the last voyage on your boat is to a marina for the winter layup and winter boat storage. The winter months are a testing and important time for your boat so laying it up appropriately is essential. Below are a selection of products that maybe useful for the boat winter layup.
It is especially important to winterise engines correctly to help protect the internals from the harsh conditions the winter period may bring. Freezing conditions can cause serious problems and it is easy to be caught out by quick temperature drops. So plan early and explore products such as fuel additives and engine parts here.
It is increasingly important these days to treat fuel for storage, more so for equipment that is likely to be stored for prolong periods such as the boat winter lay-up. Fuel can become susceptible to water build up through moisture in the atmosphere when stored in tanks so a suitable fuel additive is generally a good idea.
With the Introduction of E10 Petrol in the UK it is now more important to have a solid fuel filtration system in place in your fuel lines, this is true for diesel setups too. More regular fuel filter changing and fuel treatment may become necessary so keeping this in good condition will benefit your cruising time in the season.
An engine service is a regular maintenance task. Checking, repairing and replacing items that have perished is an important project. From replacing water pump impellers, seals and 'O' rings to changing the engine oil, spark plugs and contact set to replacing engine gaskets and installing new core plugs and drain taps.
During the winter layup boats can often become damp, especially if a cover is fitted because air circulation is reduced. Moisture can build up and become trapped, much like the effects in a greenhouse. Dehumidifiers and storage heaters can be placed inside your boat to help control the situation.
Boat covers are a popular and useful addition for the storage of boats over the winter. Placing a cover on your boat, whether its a value cover or a fitted cover, helps protect it from the build up of dirt whilst also offering a degree of protection from the damaging UV rays of the sun. You can find boat covers and cover fittings below.
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Extend your season afloat this year by installing a Propex HS2000 boat gas heater. The Propex HS2000E heater runs on either gas or shore power for greater convenience and is available for up to three heating outlets. Additional Propex spares are also available from heater ducting, heater vents and heater flues.
After a seasons work splashing through the waves your boats hull maybe quite dirty. Below the waterline you may find mussels, algae and other foreign matter and above the waterline calcium and black streaks may have built up. Here are a few effective boat bottom cleaners which can help to clean such marks off.
It is a good idea to give your boat a post season clean before it is stored for the winter. Cleaning off dirt, grime and even algae that has built up from a season afloat will make it easier to clean in the Spring. Taking time to clean the bilges, engine bays and accessories such as fenders and ropes prolong their life span.
As a boat is often left alone for quite sometime over the winter months it might be as well to add some intruder deterrents such as boat alarms, boat locks and boat outboard locks, especially if your outboard stays on the back of the boat. We find that even the presence of a device that looks like an alarm helps in the combat against marine crime.
Part of the winter lay-up requires the bilge to be cleaned out of water, grease and oil that can build up over a seasons use. Any water left in the bilge has the potential to freeze and cause problems. Cleaning the bilge and painting with fresh boat bilge paint also helps to identify any leaks that may appear over the winter.
