Preparing Your Boat for Cold Weather
With an abundance of water, both river and ocean, in the Portland area, boating is a popular summer activity. As a matter of factPortland boat sales are brisk during the warm summer weather. Portland outboard motors give boats greater mobility and distance. However, a motor boat adds to the maintenance responsibilities of the boat owner. Portland, Oregon, is located in northwest United States. Being so far north, it experiences cold weather in the winter months. As the cold weather approaches, specific maintenance steps must be performed so that the boat and its motor survive the weather and come to life quickly once the warm weather arrives.
As for the boat itself, it must be stored out of the weather. The simplest way to remove it from the weather is to store it in a building. Indoors, it is protected from the cold temperatures, the harsh winds, and the snow. However, this solution can be expensive. Another solution, while costly, is less costly that indoor storage. This solution is the shrink wrap solution. While this may sound bizarre, it provides a barrier between your precious boat and the elements. If shrink wrapping is not available for you, you should at least protect the boat with a strong, waterproof tarp or other cover.
Aside from the structure of the boat, you need to maintain the peripherals. The rule of thumb would be to empty any fluid that is water based and to replenish any fluid that is petroleum based. Keep in mind that, when water freezes, it expands. For this reason, removing the water will prevent the container from cracking or, even worse, breaking. Two important water containers are the waste removal system and the fresh water supply. Also, empty and scrub the bilge using detergent, hot water, and a stiff brush. Both need to be cleaned out at the end of the boating season. As for the petroleum-based systems, the motor needs to be maintained in a similar manner to the automobile. First of all, change the oil. Then ensure that the fuel tank is filled. A full fuel tank prevents condensation within the tank. You may also want to change the spark plugs and the transmission fluid.
These guidelines are merely suggestions. A complete maintenance schedule is available from your boat dealer or your marina. Another source of information is our huge source of all knowledge, the Internet. As you gather your information, it will be helpful for you to make up a check list of tasks so that none of the steps are accidentally omitted. You might also want to team up with another boat owner so that you can share knowledge and work together. Then you can reciprocate by helping him with his boat. Two people working on two boats together can finish the job in less time than two people working separately. When both boats are ready for winter, you can celebrate together that now you can get out the skis and snow mobile.
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