It’s important to winterize your boat even if you aren’t sure whether your area will encounter freezing weather. That way you’ll have your seacraft in optimal condition for awesome trips and excursions in the spring and summer. Here’s a checklist of things you can do to winterize your boat.
Winterize Your Boat Checklist
Check Inboard/Outboard Engines
Boats come with either an inboard or outboard engine, depending on their specific purpose and manufacturer. You should handle these with some of the preventative maintenance you would do on your car, especially by replacing the oil and oil filters. It’s also important to flush the engine with fresh water, circulate antifreeze through the manifold, spray the cylinders with fogging oil, and wipe things down with WD-40. Finally, make sure all the parts have lubrication with water-resistant grease.
Prepare the Stern Drive or Lower Unit
It’s common for the stern drive to accumulate lots of algae and barnacles throughout the year, so clear away all of it. Then drain the gear case and look around for moisture. That’s where it’s important to inspect for leaking seals and to ensure adequate fluid levels. If you aren’t sure how to do this, you can either take your boat to a mechanic or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in the owner’s manual.
Refuel Your Boat
It’s always a wise idea to have your boat gassed and ready to go. Plus, it helps mitigate condensation in the fuel tank during the off-season. You can also add a fuel stabilizer and replace the fuel filters and water separators.
Drain Fresh Water Systems
Many modern boats have their own freshwater systems, which require seasonal cleaning as well. Since it’s “fresh” water, you’ll want to drain it and run a non-toxic antifreeze through the various faucets, water heaters, and fixtures.
Protect & Secure Interior Equipment
There’s probably a lot of expensive gear on your boat. Take some time to remove or secure any important electronics, safety equipment (flares and life vests), fishing gear, and so forth. Don’t forget to cover your boat with a tarp or shrink wrapping.
Consider placing Damp Rid or some other dehumidifying device through the cabin and engine room if possible. Reducing moisture from condensation prevents mold and minimizes corrosion.
Upgrade Your Boat with Seaspension!
You should take advantage of any downtime during the cooler season to fashion your boat with upgrades and amenities (they make a good early Christmas present). Our patrons give great reviews for our outstanding Parker Boat Accessories, namely our shock-absorbing seat pedestals that come in several sizes and varieties. We have boat seat bases in half a dozen models (i.e., standard solo posts, spider posts, swivel posts), so you’ll find something to fit your craft.
At Seaspension, we’ve got your back! One of the best moves you can make to help your boat run smoother is to install Seaspension before winterizing everything. The purpose of all our products is to help you reduce fatigue and enjoy a more comfortable ride.
Our previous clients tell us that getting our pedestal products was one of the best investments they’ve ever made. If you’d like to learn more about winterizing your boat or anything we offer, contact us at 727-216-9639.
How prepared are you to drive your boat through turbulent seas? It’s something you’re bound to encounter at some point if you enjoy the open water. Seaspension has many boating products and solutions for making rough seas more tolerable, but it also helps to know how to navigate difficult waters.
Tips for Navigating Turbulent Waters
Maintain a Reasonable Speed in Choppy Waters
It’s no different than driving your car in a heavy downpour. You simply have to slow down and adjust to the conditions. Resist the urge to accelerate your boat to escape to calmer waters. It won’t work and it puts you at risk of injuring yourself or your passengers.
Stay on Top of the Waves
In a following sea, try to stay on pace with the swell and trim the boat up.
In a head sea, whenever possible- quarter the wave about 15 degrees and trim it down slightly.
It’s important to know your boat and how it handles rough conditions. It is good to go out in rough water to practice and learn your best strategy when you are close to home so you can be prepared.
Secure Everything on Your Boat
Storms and steep waves will require you to batten down the hatches and secure every loose item on your boat. When it’s rough instruct your passengers to stay seated and have them sit further back in the boat. Avoid sitting in the bow when it is rough out.
As of April 1, 2021, it is a Coast Guard regulation that all vessels under 26’ should be equipped with an engine cut-off switch (ECOS). This is especially important in rough seas.
Monitor the Weather Conditions and have a plan
If you monitor the weather, you can either delay your boat trip or make adjustments. You won’t be able to avoid every potential calamity, because the weather can change rapidly, but it’s possible to change course and circumvent problems.
On longer trips, it is wise to make a float plan and provide it to a friend or relative and check in with them when you reach your destination. If there is an incident, authorities will at least know when and where you started and will be better able to assist you.
At Seaspension, we believe it is most important to be safe and enjoy your time on the water. Our pedestals help you to do just that by mitigating the shock of rough sea conditions and by protecting the captain and passengers from the jarring of pounding across the waves. Do not overestimate your abilities and take your time to develop your boating skills to remain calm and safe on the water.
If you’ve clicked on this link, let us be the first to welcome you to Seaspension! In this article, you’ll find out who we are, what we offer, and how we can make your boating experience shockingly smooth. We invite you to read on; you might be surprised at how much we have to offer.
What is Seaspension?
Seaspension is the innovator and manufacturer of shock-absorbing boat seat pedestals that reduce the impact you feel while underway. Our story begins with our founding in 1999 by Peter Burer. His ultimate goal was to develop a pedestal that was easy to install and provide comfort and safety for boaters on the water.
What Seaspension Offers
Our shock-mitigating pedestals can be retrofitted on a wide variety of boat brands and seating setups. For over 20 years, Seaspension has offered the perfect solution to boaters needing a smooth ride to protect their backs and knees from the jolts of cruising across the water. Our expanded line of pedestal heights meets the need of an ever-evolving market of boat layouts.
Recreational Boater
We offer the ideal products engineered for maximum comfort for the casual fisherman or pleasure seeker who enjoys taking to the sea during their downtime. You no longer have to stand during your boating trip to feel secure; you’ll be able to sit down, relax, and enjoy the trip with more pleasure and less fatigue.
Commercial
Do you use your boat for business? Maybe you’re a tour guide or towing company. Seaspension can make your employees and customers experience the most comfortable ride they’ve ever had. Working in the commercial boating industry equates to fatigue and long hours of being on the water. You’ll be able to handle the waves and the day's catch with much less stress.
Military
We’re proud to offer our products for military use as well. Specially designed for high impact and frenetic speeds, Seaspension will look after the integrity of our military and first responders who risk their lives every day to keep us safe.
A Pedestal By Any Other Name…
Our proprietary technology offers unparalleled performance across a wide range of applications to meet the needs of boaters today. We believe in providing the very best in comfort and quality. To get a quote, view our products, and see which one of our systems will amplify the comfort of your next boat trip, visit us at seaspension.com.
