Winterizing! How to winterize your sailboat
- Episode 073 Your Pocket Sailing Instructor podcast
- Released: November 4, 2024
- Duration: 16 min 30 sec
“Protect the boat now so spring commissioning is a whole lot happier.” ~ Sailing According to Coach Penny
Winterizing a sailboat is not quite the same for every boat – or every storage situation. In this episode, I discuss two boats at once: one staying in the water and one stored on the hard. I walk through some of the differences and the practical thinking involved in preparing each boat for winter. It is a useful seasonal reminder to work methodically through your systems, protect equipment from freezing and moisture, and think ahead to how today’s winterizing choices will affect spring commissioning. If haul-out season is approaching, use this episode as motivation to get your own winter checklist underway.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- Think about how winterizing differs in the water versus on the hard
- Work systematically through onboard systems before freezing weather
- Reduce the risk of winter damage from cold and moisture
- Make choices that will make spring commissioning easier
Winterizing your boat is one of those jobs that isn’t particularly glamorous, but it is absolutely worth doing properly. When temperatures drop below freezing, water left inside your engine, freshwater system, head, holding tank, bilge or other plumbing can freeze, expand and cause expensive damage. That’s why my winterizing routine includes draining water where necessary, pumping antifreeze through vulnerable systems and making sure the engine and fuel system are properly prepared for the months ahead.
But winterizing your sailboat isn’t only about preventing freeze damage. Your boat may be sitting largely unused for months, and moisture, corrosion and inactivity can create their own problems. I like to clean and dry the bilge, clean out the cabin, remove perishables and linens, and make sure air can circulate around cushions rather than leaving everything closed up and damp all winter. A dehumidifier or moisture absorber can also help. The goal is to come back aboard in the spring without being greeted by mould, mildew and that unmistakable closed-up-boat smell!
It’s also the perfect time to take stock of your equipment and safety gear. I remove PFDs so I can inspect them for wear, check fire extinguishers and flares, remove batteries from flashlights and make sure my first-aid kit is properly stocked. I also go through my spare-parts and tool kits. If I’ve used something during the season, I replace it. If a tool has been damaged or disappeared into that mysterious place where boat tools apparently go to die, I replace that too. Batteries also need a plan — whether that means removing and trickle-charging them or maintaining them aboard with shore power or solar.
And that’s really why I think of winterizing your sailboat as putting the entire boat to bed, rather than simply pouring antifreeze into a few systems. It’s a chance to protect the boat, but it’s also an opportunity to clean, inspect, service and restock everything before another season begins. I would much rather discover a worn PFD, missing spare part or neglected maintenance item in the fall than on the first beautiful sailing day of spring.
Also, don’t forget the basics when you’re leaving your boat unattended for an extended period. Make sure your dock lines are secure and properly adjusted, the boom is firmly secured, the helm is locked, and all hatches and openings are tightly closed. Sails should be removed for winter storage where appropriate, or at the very least properly furled, secured and protected from the elements. Your checklist also calls for removing sails, dodger, bimini and sail covers as part of the winterizing process.
Taking a methodical approach to winterizing may require a little extra time in the fall, but it’s time well spent. You’re not just preparing the boat for colder weather — you’re protecting your investment and setting yourself up for a much easier start to the next sailing season. A well-prepared boat is a much nicer boat to come back to in the spring!
Cheers!
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll love these too!
- Episode 072: Spring Maintenance & Shake Down Sail
- Episode 066: My winterizing FAIL!
- Episode 082: Equipment Upgrades! NOW Is the Time!!
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Resources
Winterizing Checklist!
Download this 1-page PDF boat winterizing checklist to take the guesswork out of winterizing your boat!
Download –> Winterizing Checklist
About Penny Caldwell
Penny Caldwell is a Canadian sailing educator, Sail Canada Instructor Evaluator, marine consultant, and host of the Your Pocket Sailing Instructor podcast. With nearly three decades of teaching experience, she is passionate about helping sailors of all skill levels build confidence, develop practical seamanship skills, and enjoy a lifetime on the water. Through her articles, podcast, instructor development programs, consulting, and sailing adventures, Penny shares real-world knowledge that makes sailing safer, more enjoyable, and more accessible for everyone.
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Sailing is a lifelong learning journey, and some of the best ideas come from fellow sailors. Have a question about this topic, or a tip you’d like to share? Leave a comment below—I read every one and enjoy hearing about your experiences on the water!
