Off-Season Boat Storage Checklist

Cushions, upholstery and moisture

• Dry both sides of every cushion and the foam fully before storage. Stand cushions on edge so air reaches both faces.
• Once dry, store removable cushions and upholstery somewhere dry and ventilated. Taking them off the boat is best.
• Remove electronics, lines, life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares, fenders and any wet towels or gear.
• Wash the boat and let it dry before it gets covered.
• Clean and dry the bilge. Drain the shower sump and any spot where water pools.
• Prop open interior lockers and cabin doors so air can move. Keep exterior hatches and ports closed and secured.
• After removing wet items and drying the boat, place a moisture absorber in the closed cabin and lockers if you use one.

Gear for this step

Boat Dehumidifier ContainerCan collect excess moisture in enclosed spaces.View productSee current price at betterboat.com

Fuel

• Follow the engine, fuel-system and storage facility's requirements for fuel level. Leave the specified expansion space.
• Add a marine fuel stabilizer, following the directions on the bottle.
• Run for the time specified by the engine and stabilizer instructions, with the required cooling-water supply, so treated fuel reaches the whole system.
• Change fuel filters and any fuel/water separators.
• Gasoline engines onlyUse ethanol-free gas for the storage fill if it is available where you live.

Engine, lower unit and drives

Per your engine manual. Typical items it will cover. Step by step by engine type: Boat Winterizing Guide.

• Raw-water cooled engines: flush the raw-water passages with fresh water, then drain them or run antifreeze through as the manual directs.
• Closed cooling systems: check the coolant mix and condition as the manual directs. The raw-water side still needs its own winterizing.
• Change the oil and oil filter.
• Check and service lower-unit or sterndrive gear lubricant. Investigate water contamination before freezing weather.
• Fog the engine using the method your manual specifies.
• Inspect anodes and replace any that are worn.

Gear for this step

Outboard Motor Water MuffsA hose connected flushing muff for compatible outboard and I/O enginesView productSee current price at betterboat.comBoat and RV Winterizing KitA gravity flow antifreeze tank with hose, valves and fittings for engines with the raw water pump...Check fit on the product pageView productSee current price at betterboat.com

Water systems

• FreshwaterWinterize freshwater tanks, pumps, hot and cold lines, showers and the water heater.
• FreshwaterUse potable-water-system winterizing antifreeze (propylene glycol) where specified. Never use automotive coolant in drinking-water plumbing; BoatUS notes ethylene glycol coolant is highly toxic.
• SanitationPump out the waste holding tank at an approved facility, then winterize the toilet and sanitation lines. Empty and remove any portable toilet.
• Raw waterGet the water out of raw-water washdowns, livewells and strainers, per the owner's manual.
• Other equipmentCheck applicable generators, air conditioning, strainers and other water-holding equipment against their own manuals.

Batteries

• AshoreIsolate batteries as the manuals direct, or take them home to a cool, dry place above freezing.
• AfloatKeep automatic bilge pumps and required monitoring powered. BoatUS advises wiring the bilge pump directly to the battery (fused) so it runs with the main panel switched off.
• Lead-acidCharge and maintain as specified. A partially charged battery is more likely to freeze. Use a marine charger with a float or maintenance setting, not an automotive trickle charger left on for months.
• LithiumFollow the maker's storage charge level, shutdown procedure and charging-temperature limits. Use a charger approved for that battery.
• Make sure cable connections are tight, clean and free of corrosion.

Cover or shrink wrap

• Make sure the cover has vents. BoatUS Foundation's advice: a boat needs to breathe while it's covered.
• Give it enough support that rain and snow run off instead of pooling. Supports that come with a cover aren't always strong enough.
• Pad corners, sharp edges and both ends of the support poles so the cover doesn't chafe through as it settles.
• AshoreNever tie the cover to jack stands or support blocks; a strong wind can pull the stands out.
• For shrink wrap, Discover Boating recommends a professional job. A tarp that isn't supported and secured well tends to leak, rip or collapse.

Gear for this step

Boat Cover Support PolesTelescoping aluminum poles that lift a boat coverView productSee current price at betterboat.com

Ashore: hull support and drainage

• Have a qualified yard block and support the hull at manufacturer-approved locations and secure the stands properly. Ask your boat's manufacturer for a blocking plan and keep a copy.
• Keep the boat level so rainwater drains instead of pooling.
• Recheck the stands about two weeks after haul out, once the boat has settled.
• Remove the drain plugs and put them somewhere you will find them in spring.

Gear for this step

Boat Transom Drain Plug KitA replacement transom drain plug and housing in stainless or brassView productSee current price at betterboat.com

Ashore: trailer

• Rinse the trailer brakes with fresh water if the trailer has been in salt water.
• Service bearings on the axle or hub manufacturer's schedule. Dexter, for example, specifies lubrication every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
• Check tire age. Discover Boating, citing the NTSB, says tires over six years old should be replaced.
• Cover the trailer light plug on the tow vehicle so the pins don't corrode.

Gear for this step

Marine Grease TubeWaterproof marine grease in 14 oz cartridgesView productSee current price at betterboat.com

Afloat: in the slip

• Close all seacocks except cockpit drains. BoatUS says a boat with below-waterline thru-hulls that can't be closed should be stored ashore.
• Double clamp thru-hull hoses, especially cockpit drains, with stainless hose clamps where possible.
• Test the bilge pump and float switch, and keep the bilge clear of debris that could clog them.
• Check dock lines and chafe guards, center the boat in the slip and adjust fenders.
• Plug exhaust ports if your checklist calls for it, and write it down so the plugs come out before the engine runs.
• Secure all ports and hatches.

Gear for this step

3/8" Dock Lines 15FT15 foot double braided nylon dock lines with a 12 inch eyeView productSee current price at betterboat.com

Food, trash and openings

• Clear out every bit of food, crumbs and trash.
• Repair unintended openings with suitable marine materials. Keep designed vents, fuel vents, drains and scuppers clear.
• Close propane valves and take portable canisters home.

During storage

• Visit the boat at least once a month and after heavy rain or snow.
• Clear pooling water off the cover, readjust straps and look for new wear points. Make sure the cover vents are still open.
• Look inside for leaks or standing water, and check that drains and scuppers are clear.
• If you use a moisture absorber, check it and empty or replace it when full.
• Check battery charge the way the battery maker specifies, and recharge if needed.
• AfloatConfirm the bilge pump still works and the boat is not taking on water. BoatUS: if the bilge pump runs, the boat is taking on water.
• AfloatCheck dock lines, chafe gear and fenders after storms.

Gear for this step

Fabric Repair TapePatch tape for small rips in boat covers and awnings, in clear, black or whiteView productSee current price at betterboat.com

Spring recommissioning

• AshoreReinstall the drain plugs before launch.
• Remove any exhaust plugs and reopen the seacocks you closed.
• Reconnect the batteries and any systems you isolated, following the manuals.
• Flush winterizing antifreeze from the freshwater system as the manual directs.
• Put life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares and other safety equipment back aboard and check their condition.
• TrailerTires lose a pound or two of pressure a month. Before towing, check cold tire pressure against the trailer manufacturer's specification for the fitted tires and load.
• Put cushions back aboard only once they and the boat are dry.