Now that Labor Day is behind us and back-to-school mode is in full swing, it’s actually beginning to feel like autumn. Even the colder temperatures are indicating the end of summer. What this suggests for some of us (while hopefully not all of us just yet!) is that we ought to start considering winterizing our vessels.

By investing a few hours and a bit of money this fall, you can be certain that you and your boat will get off to a great start next spring. Begin by creating a checklist. Our experts on finding a fishing excursion near me offer you some general tips to assist with your planning:

1. Flush your vessel’s engine with fresh water. For inboard engines or stern drives, do the last flush with anti-freeze (not generally required for outboard motors).
2. Fill the boat’s tank with fuel (less space restricts the chance of condensation), and add in a fuel stabilizer. Run your motor for about five minutes to incorporate the stabilizer. Then turn off the fuel valve (for outboards, just detach the fuel hose), and run the rest of the gas out of the motor.
3. Apply fogging lubricant on the boat’s carburetor while it is warm to the touch. In addition, remove the spark plugs and squirt fogging oil through the spark plug gaps inside the spark plug cylinders.
4. Replace the boat’s fuel filter.
5. Dab any leftover lubricant and filth off your boat’s engine.
6. Once you remove the boat from the water, hand-wash your hull, and spread a wax coat on the fiberglass hulls (to defend against winter filth); doing this by hand also permits you to check for any defects, dings, or cracks that require prompt attention (before a freeze).
7. Thoroughly drain the vessel’s bilge.
8. Visually examine the boat’s propeller.
9. Clean and dry the inside of your vessel to terminate all grit and rubbish. For crafts with vinyl seats, treat your vinyl with a protectant.
10. Remove the boat’s battery and additional electronics (like sonar), and stow them someplace dry and freeze-protected.
11. Cover your vessel with a tarp and keep it sealed (it’s critical that the interior is as dry as possible before you cover it). Keep one or two little vents to discourage condensation and moisture buildup.
12. Store your boat’s outboard motor standing upward; for inboards, be certain the boat’s bow remains a few inches higher than its stern.

Of course, don’t overlook checking your owner’s manual for other essential winterization tips!

Follow these tips for winterizing your watercraft this season. Then, visit our homepage to search for a “fishing excursion near me.” We want to help you find the best fishing spots across the nation so you can bond with friends and family over a day or weekend of fishing. Nothing is better than spending time together reeling in some big ole fish, whether you catch and release or bring yours home for dinner.