The Real Cost of Winterizing a Boat and How to Save Cash While Doing It
At a glance
Professional boat winterizing typically costs about $300, with small outboard boats at $100 or less and large cruisers at $500 to $600 or more. Doing it yourself runs about $125 to $150 in supplies.
- Marinas often charge around $500, but that can include shrink wrap and spring de-winterization.
- DIY takes about an hour with practice, and two or three hours the first few times.
- Skipping winterizing risks freeze damage, stale fuel and corroded electrical parts.
The right tool for this job
Winterizing & Engine Flush Kit
Bundles the winterizing kit, outboard motor muffs, de-salt concentrate, wash sprayer and engine flush kit for storage prep or after salt water runs.
View productContents (7 sections)
Professional boat winterization typically costs about $300. A small boat with a single outboard can run closer to $100 or less, while a large cabin cruiser or specialty boat can easily reach $500 to $600 or more. Doing it yourself typically costs about $125 to $150 in supplies. These are typical ranges, and actual prices vary by region, boat size and engine type, so get a written quote before booking.
Winterizing helps protect the engine, plumbing, batteries and other systems while the boat sits in storage. That holds true even in areas that don't see harsh winters.
What Is Included in Boat Winterization
The exact scope depends on the boat and engine, and a service quote should spell it out. Engine work often includes flushing the engine, stabilizing the fuel, fogging the engine, changing the engine oil and filter where required, and draining or replacing other fluids as specified in the boat and engine manuals. Other tasks may include disconnecting batteries and electronics, and cleaning the hull and deck with boat soap before storage. Boats with fresh water, sanitation or other plumbing systems may need separate steps for those systems, and those steps differ from engine cooling system work. Follow the boat and engine manuals for the full list.
Common winterizing tasks
- Flush the engine
- Stabilize the fuel
- Fog the engine
- Change engine oil and filter where required
- Disconnect batteries and electronics
- Clean hull and deck with boat soap
Some shops and marinas bundle extras such as shrink wrap, storage or spring de-winterization, while others charge separately. Always ask for an itemized list so quotes can be compared fairly. This article covers the money side. For the actual steps, see how to winterize a boat, the guide to winterizing an inboard motor, or the pontoon winterizing guide.
What Happens If a Boat Is Not Winterized
Yes, the cost of winterizing a boat can be a drag. In the end, the boat has to be de-winterized to use it again. The cost of not properly completing the process can be much, much higher.
Pro tip. Even in milder climates, winterizing helps protect fuel systems, batteries and electronics when a boat sits unused for a long time.
Water left in an engine or plumbing can freeze and expand, which can crack engine blocks, hoses and pumps. Poor storage preparation can also leave electrical components vulnerable to moisture and corrosion, leave fuel stale, and allow mildew stains to show up inside the vessel. Compared with the expense of replacing an engine or repairing freeze damage, the cost to winterize a boat doesn't seem like such a big deal.
Winterizing is a must in any area where temperatures can drop to freezing. Even in milder climates, it helps protect fuel systems, batteries and electronics during long periods of disuse.
The Real Cost
The typical cost of professional boat winterizing is about $300. That figure is a middle point across many boat types and locations, not a quote.
For a smaller boat with a single outboard motor, you might pay a boat mechanic closer to $100 or less. For a large cabin cruiser or a specialty vessel, like a go-fast boat, you'll easily pay $500 to $600 or more.
| Option | Typical cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| DIY winterizing | $125 to $150 in supplies | Plan on two or three hours the first few times |
| Small outboard boat, mechanic | $100 or less | Larger boats cost more |
| Independent mechanic | About $150 plus materials | Travel time can add $50 to $100 |
| Boat shop | $300 to $400 | Often higher-end equipment and shop insurance |
| Full-service marina | Around $500 | Often includes shrink wrap and spring de-winterization |
| Large cruiser or go-fast boat | $500 to $600 or more | Price rises with size and engine count |
Winter storage is a separate cost. Depending on where you live and what type of vessel you own, indoor boat storage could cost as little as $20 a month or well over $400 to $500 a month. That adds up, but it's still cheaper than replacing a boat. For a bigger picture of ownership costs, see the cost of owning a boat.
The Cost of DIY Winterizing a Boat
For the handy, self-sufficient boat owner, winterizing yourself is a great way to save money. DIY can even save some time. Winterizing can be done in less than an hour in many cases, which is less time than driving the boat to and from the marina or shop. Don't rush it the first few times, because haste can mean a damaged engine. Follow your engine manufacturer's manual for the exact procedure and antifreeze requirements.
Boat Winterizing Supplies
A big part of the DIY savings comes from owning the tools instead of paying for the service each year. Better Boat's Boat and RV Winterizing Kit includes a 5 gallon gravity flow antifreeze tank, a T connector, a shutoff valve, reinforced clear hose and fittings. It works with antifreeze and any needed adapters on engines with the raw water pump mounted inside the outdrive, using the muff type flushing method. It is not suitable for front engine mounted raw water pump systems and should not be connected to raw water pump suction. Confirm compatibility with your engine manual before using it. Owners who want a bundle of core flushing and winterizing tools can consider the Winterizing & Engine Flush Kit, which includes the winterizing kit, outboard motor muffs, de-salt concentrate, a wash sprayer and an engine flush kit. Antifreeze, fogging oil, fuel stabilizer, engine oil and filters are bought separately.
Better Boat pick
Boat and RV Winterizing Kit
Make seasonal winterizing more organized with a gravity flow antifreeze tank and fittings in one kit.
View productA can of fogging oil helps protect pistons, valves and cylinder walls, and costs about $10 a can. A bottle of fuel stabilizer should cost less than $15. Oil should not add more than another $15, depending on how much the engine needs.
Antifreeze is the other big item. RV and marine antifreeze formulations vary, so read the label and use only the type and procedure specified by your engine, plumbing system and antifreeze manufacturers. Buy enough to cover the engine and any water systems on your boat.
Moisture absorber containers belong on the supply list too, for enclosed spaces such as the cabin, console and lockers, since a covered boat collects damp air all winter. For a long storage season, the Refillable Dehumidifier Container with Dehumidifier Refill Bags lets you replace just the pellet bag instead of buying a new container, and the Boat Dehumidifier Bulk Bundle covers a boat with several spaces to treat.
Finally, you might need to replace filters. Budget about $50 for this, though you might spend less or you might spend double. It depends on the boat and its condition.
Final Cost of DIY Boat Winterization
Add it all up, and the cost of DIY boat winterization comes to about $125 to $150. With practice, the process takes around an hour. Allow two or three hours the first few times, and read your boat's manual carefully, even if doing so adds more time.
DIY vs Professional Winterizing Cost
As noted above, having a professional winterize your boat averages about $300. That is a blend of a wide range of prices, so the specific examples below give a better sense of what to expect.
Who winterizes the boat
Do it yourself
Takes about an hour with practice, and two or three hours the first few times.
Independent mechanic
Many mechanics also charge for travel time.
Boat shop
Typically uses professional equipment and carries business insurance.
Full-service marina
Often includes shrink wrap and spring de-winterization.
When a Marina Winterizes Your Boat
Some owners leave the boat in the water over the winter. In-water storage requirements vary with climate, hull type and the systems aboard, so follow the marina's rules and the boat and engine manufacturer guidance. If you choose marina storage, having the boat winterized by the same marina makes good sense.
Many full-service marinas charge around $500 to winterize a boat, but this often includes shrink wrapping the vessel and de-winterization in the spring. Few shops or independent mechanics offer that latter service.
When a Boat Mechanic Winterizes Your Boat
If you hire an independent boat mechanic, you can often pay about $150 for the process, plus a bit more for materials. That's almost a wash compared with the DIY expenses, assuming you had to buy all the DIY supplies new. Many mechanics also charge for travel time, which can easily add another $50 or $100.
When a Boat Shop Winterizes Your Boat
If you bring your boat to a shop, expect to pay between $300 and $400. A shop typically uses professional equipment and carries business insurance, so ask what the shop's coverage includes before handing over the keys.
Shrink Wrap and Winter Storage Costs
Shrink wrap is usually quoted by boat length and varies with region, boat size and the shape of the boat above the deck. For a 20 foot boat or any other size, get a written quote from a local shop. Some marinas include wrap in a package, as noted above, so ask what is bundled before comparing prices.
Keeping a Covered Boat Dry Over Winter
A boat that sits covered or closed up for months traps air in the cabin, console and lockers. As the temperature swings between day and night, moisture in that air condenses on cool surfaces, and with little airflow under a cover it tends to linger. That trapped dampness is where the stale, musty smell many owners notice in spring comes from.
Moisture absorber containers are a simple way to handle it, with no power needed. Place containers in the enclosed spaces that stay closed, such as the cabin, console and lockers, on a flat, level spot where they will not tip. The Boat Dehumidifier Container uses moisture absorbing pellets to trap excess moisture and activated charcoal to help reduce musty odor, unscented and with a spill resistant mesh. The Refillable Dehumidifier Container also absorbs excess moisture in closed spaces and uses activated charcoal to help reduce musty odor, and when its pellets have dissolved you drop in a new refill bag instead of replacing the whole container. Check the containers whenever you visit the boat over the winter.
Placing moisture absorbers for winter
- Pick the spotsCabin, console and lockers that stay closed.
- Set it levelUse a flat, level spot where the container will not tip.
- Check in winterLook at the containers on each visit to the boat.
- RefillDrop in a new refill bag once the pellets have dissolved.
Better Boat pick
Boat Dehumidifier Container
Moisture absorbing pellets trap excess moisture in small enclosed spaces, and activated charcoal helps reduce musty odor. Unscented, with a spill resistant mesh.
View product
Better Boat pick
Refillable Dehumidifier Container
Refillable container that absorbs excess moisture and uses activated charcoal to help reduce musty odor. Replace the refill bag when the pellets are spent.
View productHow to Save Money with Boat Winterizing Hacks
If you plan to winterize your boat yourself, or if you want to trim the cost of a professional job, a few steps can reduce costs.
First, plan the oil change around a warm engine. Warm oil may drain more readily, but warming, draining, filter replacement and refill procedures vary by engine, so follow the engine manual. Protecting the engine this way helps prolong its lifespan, which saves money in the long run.
Second, check antifreeze approvals before buying. Compare only antifreeze products approved for the specific engine or plumbing system, and follow the equipment and antifreeze manufacturers' instructions.
Third, consider a custom fabric cover for your boat. Up front it costs much more than shrink wrap. Over the years, a reusable cover with support poles can save money because the boat doesn't need to be wrapped every winter.
Fourth, handle the batteries as the boat and battery manufacturers direct. That usually means disconnecting or removing them, storing them in an appropriate dry location, and keeping them charged according to the battery instructions. Neglected batteries often end up being replaced in the spring.
Fifth, buy the DIY tools instead of paying for the same service every year. A kit like the Boat and RV Winterizing Kit organizes the antifreeze tank, hose and fittings in one purchase, and the Winterizing & Engine Flush Kit bundles the winterizing kit with muffs, de-salt concentrate and a wash sprayer. Check that the kit fits your engine's raw water pump setup first.
Boat Winterization as a Smart Investment
If you care about your boat, spend what it takes to get it properly winterized, whether you pay a pro or do it yourself. There's another reason too.
The return on the investment.
A properly winterized boat is far more likely to come out of storage in good shape. A poorly prepared boat might have mildew stains, a crusted hull, a damaged engine and corroded electrical components.
That's a shame for the current owner, and it also seriously reduces the vessel's future resale value. Spending money on winterizing now helps protect what the boat is worth later. When spring arrives, the de-winterizing checklist covers the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to winterize a boat?
Professional winterizing typically averages about $300. Small outboard boats can run $100 or less, and large cruisers can reach $500 to $600 or more. DIY costs about $125 to $150 in supplies. Prices vary by region, size and engine.
What is included in boat winterization?
Common tasks include flushing the engine, stabilizing fuel, fogging the engine, changing the engine oil and filter where required, and handling batteries. Plumbing systems may need separate steps. Shrink wrap and storage are often extra, so ask for an itemized quote and follow the boat and engine manuals.
Is it cheaper to winterize a boat yourself?
Usually, yes, especially after the first season, since the tools are already on hand. A mechanic charging about $150 plus materials can be close to DIY cost on a simple boat.
How much does shrink wrap cost?
Shrink wrap is typically priced by boat length and varies by region and boat shape. Ask local shops for a written quote, and check whether a marina package already includes it.
What happens if a boat is not winterized?
Water trapped in the engine or plumbing can freeze and cause cracks. Fuel can go stale, electrical parts can be vulnerable to moisture and corrosion, and mildew stains can appear inside the boat. Freeze or corrosion damage can cost far more to repair than routine winterizing.
When should a boat be winterized?
Winterize before temperatures drop to freezing, or whenever the boat will sit unused for a long stretch. Follow your engine manufacturer's manual and local conditions.
What to buy for this job
- Winterizing & Engine Flush Kit. When you want engine care tools bundled for storage prep.
- Boat and RV Winterizing Kit. When you handle antifreeze flow yourself on a compatible engine.
- Refillable Dehumidifier Container. When the boat sits closed up and covered all winter.
- Boat Cover Support Poles. When a reusable cover replaces shrink wrap each season.
Quick quiz
Tap a question to see the answer.
What does a reusable fabric cover offer compared with shrink wrap over the years?
It costs more up front, but it can save money because the boat doesn't need to be wrapped every winter. Boat Cover Support Poles
What extra charge can an independent mechanic add to a winterizing bill?
Many mechanics charge for travel time, which can easily add another $50 or $100.
Which engine setup is the Boat and RV Winterizing Kit not suitable for?
Engines with a front engine mounted raw water pump system, and it should not be connected to raw water pump suction.
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