Winter Storage for Your Fishing Boat

Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again. Even if you don’t mind a little chilly wind when you’re out on the water, it’s eventually going to get too cold for even the most intrepid boaters. That’s when you know it’s time to put your boat in storage. But don’t put it just anywhere and call it a day. Take some time to prepare your boat for the long storage period so it’s ready to go when the weather starts to warm up again. Follow the guide that L&M Marine LLC has provided for preparing your fishing boat for winter storage and let us know if you have any follow up questions. We serve all boaters from Mobile, Alabama; Pensacola, Florida; and Biloxi, Mississippi.

Clean your Fishing Boat

The most basic and essential of steps is to simply clean your boat. Over the last several months, you’ve probably put it through some grueling fishing trips and between the fish you catch, the grime from the water, and anything else it might have picked up from Mother Nature or even the road, there’s a lot that’s been building up over time. Even if you were diligent about cleaning your boat after every outing, or even periodically throughout the fishing season, you’ll still want to perform one last, thorough washing, and this time, really get in the nooks and crannies. Any detailing, hard to reach corners, and other areas you may have neglected need to be addressed. You might even want to finish with a fresh coat of wax.

Change the Oil

Think about when your last oil change was, when your next one should happen, and think about how that might affect your winter storage prep. If the next routine oil change is going to happen while the boat (and its motor) is in storage, consider changing the oil now. This way, you won’t have to undo any part of your winterization just to get to the oil, or worse, when it’s sludgy in the spring.

Flush the Cooling System

While you’re working on the engine, you’ll want to flush the cooling system. Drain the current coolant and fill it with fresh antifreeze. You’ll probably want to consult your owner’s manual for best products and dilution, especially when it comes to winterization. We don’t always get freezing temperatures down here, but better to be safe than sorry.

Winterize your Livewell

Your livewell is an important part of your fishing experience. In fact, it’s a staple of modern fishing boats, but it’s just as susceptible to freezing as the moisture in your coolant. Even if you empty your livewells, any residual water or moisture that builds up over time could lead to big problems. You’ll want to take some time to pump antifreeze through the livewells before you’re ready for storage.

Cover

We’re getting closer to storage. Make sure your boat is covered, preferably with a specialized boat cover, in order to keep the worst of the elements off. This is especially important if you’ll be storing your boat outside. This extends the life of your fishing boat, and can even protect it from more serious damage.

Where to Store

All that’s left is to think about where your boat is going to stay. This probably should have been figured out when you bought your fishing boat, but in case you’re playing catch up, some of the more protective options include a covered, enclosed area, like a barn or garage, and storage units. These will not only keep your craft protected from the elements but also out of sight so it’s not tempting to thieves. If you must store it outside, keep it close to home somewhere on your property.

Hopefully, this helps you prepare for an easier experience when it comes time to take your fishing boat out of storage. Then again, maybe you’re taking notes for next year and you still need the right fishing boat for you. If that’s the case, then stop by L&M Marine LLC and we’ll show you some fishing boats for sale on our lot right now. We proudly serve Mobile, Alabama; Pensacola, Florida; and Biloxi, Mississippi.