The winter comes every year in Eureka, MO and that means it’s time to store your boat. She was put to good use over the warmer months, but now it’s time to winterize her. At Focus Insurance, we’ve put together three easy tips even first-time boat owners can follow when it comes time to pull your boat out of the water. Read on to learn more.

1. Properly Store Your Boat

Choose between inside or outside storage.

     Inside – Choose between dry-stacked storage, garage storage, or a boat storage facility. Each has its own pros and cons. For example, dry-stacked storage keeps your boat safe from the elements, but it might not be available when you want it. As for garage storage, one pro is cost while one con is leaving limited space for other vehicles. Boat storage facilities can be pricey, but your boat is available whenever you want it.

    Outside – Choose between parking on a trailer in your yard, a covered boat storage facility, or an outdoor boat storage facility. Keeping the boat on your property is economical, however, the best choice could very well be a covered outdoor storage facility that offers the least amount of exposure to the elements. When choosing to store your boat outside, it must be covered to keep it in good condition.

2. Winterize Your Boat

The key is to get rid of and keep away any moisture. To prep your boat for winter in Eureka, MO, make sure all water has been drained, removed, and wiped dry. Next, you’ll need to apply corrosion protection to the engine.  Complete fogging, stabilize the fuel system, change engine filters, drain all sinks, tanks, and heads, and add antifreeze to the systems. 

To learn about purchasing boat insurance contact Focus insurance today.

3. Get all Repairs Done

Did your boat take a beating over the summer? If so, she’ll probably need some repairs along with routine maintenance before winterizing. Consult your owner’s manual on what needs to be done and consult a boat mechanic for the tasks you need help with.