To Winterize Or Not To Winterize?

Which U.S. state has had the greatest number of freeze claims for the last 15 years running? Maine? Michigan? Montana? Nope … you’re COLD! Actually, the Lone Star State – Texas – continues to top this notorious GEICO Marine Insurance list. The good news is it’s pretty easy to ensure you don’t end up putting your state on this list that no one wants to be on.

Most northern boaters know they need to winterize, so claims in those states usually have to do with incorrect winterization or waiting too long to do it. (Who doesn’t want to eke out one last day on the water?!) In more temperate climates, claims show that boats either weren’t winterized at all or the power went out to the heater being used to keep the engine from freezing.

So how do you decide whether to winterize or not, especially if you live in a temperate state? Unless you live in Hawaii, which routinely has no freeze claims, you should consider winterizing if there’s a chance of a freeze, even if it’s only for a few weeks.

Why Winterize?

The answer boils down to water. Fresh water expands about 9% in volume when it freezes and can push outward with tens of thousands of pounds per square inch. It’s no surprise, then, that around three-quarters of freeze claims involve cracks in the engine block or exhaust manifolds because water remained in the cooling system or engine during a hard freeze. Other damaged components may include fiberglass, hoses, and even refrigeration systems.

And here’s the thing: You may not realize there’s a problem until spring boating season comes back around and you’re left seeing brown water spewing out the side of the engine block or what looks like chocolate milk on the dipstic

What To Winterize

In a nutshell, proper winterization means removing all water from the boat’s engines and systems and/or replacing it with the correct type of antifreeze. How this is done and how long it takes varies.

For any plumbing systems aboard (e.g., fresh- and raw-water hose downs, water heaters, freshwater tanks, heads), you need to replace the water with nontoxic antifreeze. Simply draining the system isn’t enough because it’s nearly impossible to remove all water.

Every boat is different, so follow all manufacturer recommendations for ­winterizing your specific engine and systems aboard.

Who Should Do The Work?

If you know what tasks need to be done for your particular boat and you’re comfortable doing them, there’s no reason you can’t winterize your boat yourself. However, if there’s any question about what needs to be done or if you have an insurance endorsement for ice and freeze damage, you’ll need to hire a marine professional.

If hiring someone, make sure you have a written contract that itemizes every job necessary to protect your boat and a clear time frame as to when the work will be completed. “Winterizing” can mean different things to different people, so whatever you expect to be done, spell it out. You’ll thank yourself for your foresight when boating season comes around again and you’re not left saddled with significant bills and no usable boat.