Wichtige Checkliste für die Winterlagerung von Booten

Properly winterizing your boat is essential to prevent damage, reduce wear and tear, and ensure you’re ready to go in the spring. Follow these important steps to keep your boat in top shape, even during the off-season.

Step 1: Rinse and rinse thoroughly

First, rinse your boat and trailer with fresh water to remove salt and dirt. Pay special attention to your trailer’s leaf springs, wheel hubs, and brakes—these components are often submerged and prone to corrosion.

Most boat trailers are made of galvanized RHS (rectangular hollow section) steel. While this is durable, it is prone to rusting, especially if additional holes have been drilled for cables, license plates, or accessories. These entry points can trap saltwater and cause corrosion, so be sure to rinse them thoroughly.

Engine care:
Flush your engine’s cooling system with fresh water according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent salt deposits, corrosion, and overheating.

Pro Tip: Use a product like Starbrite Salt Remover to speed up salt removal and apply a corrosion protection layer to your boat and trailer.

Step 2: Fuel system maintenance

Before storing your boat, fill the tank with fresh fuel and add a marine fuel stabilizer. This prevents the fuel from becoming stale (which can happen after as little as 30 days) and reduces condensation in the tank.

Want to learn more about fuel systems? Read our blog post on boat fuel tanks and system maintenance.

Step 3: Battery storage

Battery maintenance is crucial to avoid surprises in the spring. You have two options:

• Option 1: Remove the batteries.
  Store the batteries in a cool, dry place, such as your garage, and connect them to a smart charger. Choose a charger compatible with your battery type (EG, AGM or lead-acid) to avoid damage. Smart chargers ensure optimal charging without overcharging.
• Option 2: Use a solar trickle charger
  . Leave the batteries in the boat and connect a solar trickle charger. This low-maintenance option ensures the batteries are charged without having to be removed.

Step 4: Clean and dry inside and out

Exterior cleaning

• Remove all loose items such as life jackets, electronics, and fishing tackle boxes and store them indoors to protect them from theft and moisture damage.
• To remove yellow or brown stains on the waterline, use a boat hull cleaner according to the product’s safety instructions.
• Before applying the cleaner, moisten your trailer with fresh water to protect the galvanized coating.

Wash the boat with marine soap, a microfiber mitt, or a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a chamois or microfiber cloth to avoid water spots—especially on stainless steel fittings, dark hulls, and glass surfaces.

Interior cleaning

• Wipe hard surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner.
• Rinse and clean the fishing areas to remove residue and avoid odors.
• Clean vinyl seats with a special vinyl cleaner and a soft brush or cloth. Finally, apply a protectant to protect them from UV rays and mold.

Pro tip: Use a trigger-type hose nozzle that hooks over a pole or cleat to keep your hands free while washing.

Step 5: Cover the boat properly

Once your boat is completely dry, cover it to protect it from UV rays, dust, and wildlife.

• Choose the right cover: Choose a custom-made Sunbrella fabric cover or a well-fitting standard cover. Make sure it fits tightly to keep out pests and debris.
• Ventilation is important: Use breathable covers or covers with integrated ventilation holes to reduce mold growth.
• Humidity control: Place one or two moisture absorbers in the boat to prevent dampness and musty odors in winter.

If mold develops—especially on vinyl seats—treat them with a mold remover. Avoid seams if possible to prevent damage.

Step 6: Secure your boat

Where and how you store your boat is important:

• Ideal: garage, warehouse or secure garden.
• Avoid : Parking under trees (falling branches or tree sap can damage your cover).
• Parking on the street: Install a trailer hitch lock and a wheel clamp to prevent theft.

If your trailer is parked on a slope, apply the handbrake (if available) or place chocks to prevent it from rolling.