How to Winterize Your Boat for Lay-Up Period

It's a sad time of the year when the weather starts to cool down and it's time to store your boat away for the season. Those aren't tears, it's just water from the boat, right?

Trust me, I know the feeling ... well kind of. I may not have a boat but I'm not a stranger to the sad feeling of the sun setting on a beautiful summer that felt far too short.

But with any luck, this winter season won't seem too long and warmer days will be here as soon as we know it ... and you'll be able to get back on the water! 

But in the meantime, you need to properly take care of your boat so when boating season does come back around you can get right back out there without a hitch … or an insurance claim.

At Berry Insurance, we insure many of our clients’ boats, so we know the importance of winterization to prevent claims during the off season.

In this article, we’ll go over some steps you’ll need to take to prepare your boat for the lay-up period.

What is a lay-up period?

Lay-up period is the period of time when a watercraft is no longer being used and is being stored away each year.

When you get a watercraft insurance policy, your carrier will designate a specific time for lay-up, typically November 1 to April 1.

You will be required to tell your insurance carrier where you will be storing your boat during that time, and if it is damaged outside of that spot during that time, insurance will not cover any claims.

When to winterize your boat

When you winterize your boat is up to you, but you should do it once boating season is over and you are done using your boat for the year. We recommend you get an early start and don’t delay too close to when your layup period begins because winterizing your boat can take some time.

Remember, your insurance will not pay for damages during lay-up if your boat is outside its storage area, so it’s important to get an early start.

How to winterize your boat for lay-up

If you’re foregoing professional services and winterizing your boat yourself, there will be several steps you need to take.

Below, we’ll outline some of the main processes you’ll need to complete prior to lay-up.

Keep in mind, this is only a brief overview of the winterizing process and may not apply to all boats. You should always consult your boat’s manual, and if you need more detailed help, you should reach out to a boat professional.

Remove all water:

This is the most important step in the winterization process. 

Before you stow your boat away for the season, you need to make sure all water is drained from it. Check the plumbing, holding and fresh water tanks, water heater, engine, and any other parts of the boat where there may be water and drain it completely. Remove the drain plug to ensure there is no sitting water in the vessel.

This is especially important because damage due to a freeze is generally not covered by insurance companies because it is your responsibility to properly winterize your boat.

Drain the fuel:

Unfortunately, any fuel in your boat will not last until next boating season, so you will have to drain it from the boat. If you don’t it will turn into a thick substance and could harm your engine.

Protect engine:

Because your engine is vulnerable to rust or corrosion while it sits dormant in the winter, you’ll want to take steps to protect the engine. 

Use a water-displacing spray, such as WD40 in the engine, on the cylinders, and any other metals.

Remove vulnerable features:

Take down any removable features such as sails, sunshades, canvases, etc. that could be vulnerable to the effects of wind and winter weather so they don’t get damaged or damage your boat.

Remove food and electronics:

Remove any food that will perish, or electronics that could get damaged during the winter months.

Cover the boat:

Once your boat is completely winterized, you’ll want to cover it while storing it away.

Use a strong, waterproof cover that will completely cover your boat and can handle the weight of snow and other inclement weather.

Seal the cover tightly so moisture and unwanted pests can’t enter your boat.

But once you cover your boat, you don’t want to just set it and forget it. You’ll want to regularly check that it is sealed tight, check on it after storms, and brush off any snow accumulation.

Protect your boat during all seasons

Properly winterizing your boat is one of the most important steps to ensuring your boat’s health for years to come.

It’s important to take all steps mentioned above to thoroughly winterize, which will help you avoid damage during the offseason.

Depending on your boat and its features, there are likely several other steps you will need to take, so be sure to reference your boat’s manual.

But don’t forget: when you take your boat out of storage, it may also be a good time for you to review your watercraft coverage with your insurance agent to make sure nothing has changed and you are fully covered for your upcoming boating season.