Every boat owner may have to deal with some at some point. This is when your boat is drained of all raw water within its compartments to be replaced with antifreeze. This works for those with inboard motor-powered boats. The water is meant to be drained as the expansion that takes place once it freezes would damage the engine and the rest of the components around it. The process is advisable for those in areas that experience temperatures below freezing. Let us see the Cost of winterizing a boat.
Cost Of Winterizing A Boat
Winterizing boats can be done at a cost $300 and the price might change based on the boat. The price might shift based on the boat type and the place where you get it winterized. In this case, you have small inboard motors getting work done for $100 while for large inboard motors and speed(specialty) boats you get it for $500- $600. They also might need storage which you can get for $20 monthly and can rise to $400 -$500. This in turn keeps your boat in check.
A boat is a very sensitive machine and the drop in temperature happens for long periods,e.g winter. Components like the engine, water system, pipes, pumps, faucets, heads, and a live well are damaged by the expansion of freezing water within them. Their repairs are very expensive.
Mechanical systems Of Winterizing Boat
In most cases, those with inboard motors tend to be more proactive and winterize their boats. Though both the outboard and inboard designs should be winterized as they are the same at heart and are both sensitive. Any boat that is to be stored for the winter should have its engine taken care of. This prevents any water from causing a crack in the engine block and other parts of the engine causing expensive damage to it. The process no matter the time and cost saves your boat in the end and has it ready for summer. Some of the activities that you or the professional will take part in are:
Oil change
This is the time to change out the oil that you’ve used all season and you can DIY it for about $50 -$100 depending on the size. Having a professional do it for you will bring it up to around $200 – $300.
Engine fogging
This process helps protect its interior components. This is specific to each manufacturer where they recommend their brand of fogging aerosol, and how it’s applied these instructions can all be found in the owner’s manual. It coats the engine interior with a light oil preventing corrosion by protecting the components from moisture. It can be used on inboard and outboard motors together with jetski motors.
Draining all fluids from the engine
This is specifically for the sterndrive and inboard designs. The engine has a valve on the side of the engine, called a petcock that allows water to drain out. The lower hose of the water pump drains the remaining fluid. This prevents the engine from cracking when the water freezes in it. This saves on up to $10000 that you could spend replacing the engine.
Fuel systems
A must-do before you set your boat in storage. It needs you to add a fuel stabilizer to it to keep moisture out of the fuel system. It can cost you $5 – $15 though it depends on the size and type of engine. As for getting a professional to do it, you might have to pay $250.
Water systems
In case of the presence of a water holding tank, pump and plumbing running to the compartments inside like the bathroom or kitchen should be drained too. Drain the whole system, start from the toilet and empty if it’s a self-contained unit. As usual, the work to be done on it will depend on the boat’s size and engine while it should cost $200. This will help keep out the water which could easily damage the engine block.
Live wells
The live wells should be drained as well, this consists of both the tank and pump. Draining this will take some time but it safeguards your tank and pump in the long run. At a boatyard, it might cost you $70 – $120. After all your pet fish need to be moved since no one will look after them in storage.
Cleaning the boat entirely
This cleaning is necessary once a year and winterizing give you an excuse as good as any to take care of your boat. Arranging your chambers aboard, sweeping and mopping the floors, cleaning the hull, and giving it a nice polish would be great. It helps preserve your gel coat and extend the life cycle of other components. Detailing costs $10 – $50 per foot that is if you fancy going to a boatyard. You can also buy all you need and take the time to care for your boat.
Conclusion
At the end of it, a boat does need to be winterized due to winter. The boat needs extra care so that it doesn’t suffer damage from the natural process of the water freezing. Winterizing is also a great time to take care of other things on the boat and restore it. DIY winterizing is cheap and you get to feel closer to your boat but the service at a boatyard though expensive will be of quality and you are assured that a professional is taking care of it.
