Boating season is quickly coming to an end. As the weather becomes colder and snow begins to fall, many of us will be putting our boats in storage for the winter. If you have a pontoon boat, this job will be a little more complicated than for your typical bass or fishing boat. It will take a distinct set of steps and a little more planning.
You can always trust boat dealers to provide you with good quality boat accessories such as bimini tops, life vests, covers, etc. However, it depends on where you stay and how well your pontoon boat will be stored, how long it will spend in storage can significantly impact the maintenance and success of your season next year, so it’s essential to do this job right.
So before you put your boat away for the winter, let’s go over some things you should do to make sure your boat is protected and also make the experience a little easier on yourself.
Steps to remember for winterizing & storing your pontoon boat
Clean the pontoon boat
One of the vital things that you can do before putting your boat into storage for the winter is to give it a good cleaning. You will want to remove any excess dirt, mud, or debris that may have accumulated on the pontoon boat over the past boating season.
If you are storing your pontoon boat indoors, this is especially important because if dirt particles are allowed to remain, they can cause damage to the beautiful finish of your pontoon boat.
Inspect the pontoons
While you are cleaning your boat, you want to take this opportunity to inspect the pontoons for any damage that may need to be fixed prior to putting it into storage. This can include loose hardware, rips in the pontoon fabric, or damaged cells within the pontoon bladder itself.
If you find any damage to the pontoons, it may be wise to have them repaired or replaced before putting your pontoon boat into storage. When you buy a new boat, it will likely come with a 5-year warranty, and if you find damage to the pontoons, depending on where it is located, you may be able to get this repaired for free.
Winterize and antifreeze the plumbing
Before placing your boat away for the winter, it’s a good idea that you flush out the water lines and remove all of the water from the boat. This can be done by using a drain plug that will allow you to remove the water easily.
At this point, you should also add some form of antifreeze to the lines to help prevent them from freezing while your pontoon boat is in storage. It’s also recommended that you open all of the faucets to help remove any water in them.
Drain the gas tank
After you have completely drained all of the water from your boat‘s plumbing system, it’s time to move on to draining the remaining contents of your pontoon boat, including fuel. You can do this by removing the gas cap and turning your on-off fuel switch to the off position.
After this, you should also drain the carburetor of any leftover fuel. If your pontoons are equipped with a built-in gas tank, then you should also remove this and drain it as well.
Cover your pontoon boat
Once all of the water has been cleared away from the pontoons and plumbing system, you should cover up your pontoon boat in order to protect it for winter. It’s recommended by boat dealers that you use a heavy-duty vinyl canopy or tarp that will help to avoid moisture from getting into your pontoon boat while it’s in storage.
It is essential to store your boat indoors because the indoor environment can cause moisture buildup. And it can damage the hull or components of your pontoon boat so that you can launch your pontoon boat for the next season with a full boost.
Store your pontoon boat properly
Now that you have completed your annual winterization, it’s time to get ready for storage. The best place to keep your boat while it’s in storage is an outbuilding, garage, or shed that will help preserve it from the elements.
You also want to make sure that your boat is elevated off of the ground for proper ventilation and that it’s not touching any other surfaces which may cause damage.
It’s also good to turn the fuel switch to the on position, so the carburetor does not get clogged up from sitting. Finally, if your boat is armed with an electric start feature, simply remove the battery of the pontoon and store it in a cool, dry place where it won’t lose its charge.
Conclusion
A pontoon boat is the most expensive investment that you will ever make, second only to real estate. Because of this, you must take the time each year to winterize your pontoon in order to help protect it from damage while it’s not in use.
So there you have it! You can take easy steps to protect your pontoon boat over the winter months. Every pontoon is different, so please consult your boat dealers for detailed instructions specific to your boat.
Storing your pontoon boat can be a relatively easy process if you know what needs to be done ahead of time.
