Shorter days and cooler nights are the tell-tale signs that summer boating season is winding down. Fall will soon be upon us, in all its colorful splendor, as the winter months are quickly approaching us. However, nestled among the tall cliffs, Lake Travis is one of the few lakes that remain active twelve months of the year, with die-hard boaters enjoying the cooler water temperatures — keeping the beautiful scenery all to themselves. Although Lake Travis never freezes over, it can get downright frigid during the winter months, reaching a bone-chilling 40 degrees. Here we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of boat winterization and Lake Travis boat storage options.
When Is the Best Time to Winterize Your Boat?
Many boaters begin winterization in mid-October, or before any potential first hard freeze of the season, but the most direct answer is “the sooner, the better.” Sure, the days and nights are comfy right now, but don’t be fooled into thinking you’ve got plenty of time. During the December and January months, the air and water temperatures begin to plummet much faster — causing significant damage to your boat or personal watercraft if it has not been properly winterized.
As with most other seasonal maintenance, there is always a last-minute mad rush to your local professional service center. There will inevitably be a last man out left in the cold. Scheduling your boat or PWC winterization service now will ensure a smooth, safe transition into winter.
How to Winterize Your Boat in Texas
While winterizing your boat or personal watercraft prepares it for inactive winter months, it also presents the unique opportunity to examine and repair key systems for damage when you have more time on your hands during the off-season.
It’s a great time to get caught up with those tedious tasks and neglected repairs you have been putting off all year because, well… you were having too much fun playing out on the lake. Let’s be honest! But sooner or later, those small, trivial repairs and tuneups will get the best of your boat if you continue to let them go to the wayside. Here, we’ll go through a step-by-step process on how to approach winterizing your vessel.
Clean the Hull and Interior
When peak season looms in the air, you’re not going to want to worry about uncovering a dirty vessel, so the best thing you can do first is to give your boat a thorough cleaning inside and out. It’s important to wash away dirt, algae, and mineral buildup from the hull and also the interior surfaces. Make sure to remove food and debris, and let surfaces completely dry out to avoid mold and mildew from developing over the winter. We recommend using any type of marine multi-surface cleaner to get the job done.
Change the Oil and Filter
Changing your oil is essential before storing your boat for the winter. It’s always recommended to change your oil and filter after every 100 hours of use, or once a season. For all brand-new boat owners out there, it’s recommended to change the oil after every 20 hours of use, a process known as “breaking it in.” Engine oil that sits for months can build up a variety of acidic contaminants that could wear down your engine. Wondering how to change your oil? No worries, we can help you through the process.
Stabilize the Fuel System
Many boat owners may not realize that if fuel sits for extended periods, it can break down and cause performance issues in the long run. But don’t worry, you don’t necessarily have to drain all the fuel from your vessel. You can easily add a quality fuel stabilizer to help your boat preserve fuel and reduce the risk of buildup in the fuel system.
Drain Water Systems
Any water left in onboard plumbing or cooling systems can cause problems in freezing temperatures. So, it’s best that boaters practice draining freshwater systems, livewells, and other water lines according to their manufacturer’s recommendations.
Winterize the Engine and Lubricate Parts
Engine winterization may include flushing the cooling system, fogging the engine (when applicable), and lubricating steering, throttle, and other moving components. Following the maintenance procedures outlined in your owner’s manual can help protect critical systems during the off-season.
Disconnect and Maintain the Battery
To avoid any unnecessary power drain while your boat is stored for the winter, it’s best to disconnect the battery. This way you aren’t ripping off your cover the following spring, ready for a day on beautiful Lake Travis, only to find out your boat battery is dead. Kind of a buzzkill!
Cover Your Boat Properly
Once you’ve completed all necessary steps for boat winterization, it’s vital to protect your vessel with a properly fitted cover. Whether your boat is in dry storage or a slip, finding a breathable boat cover is essential so your investment can be shielded from the elements: sun damage, debris buildup, and excess moisture during the winter months.
Boat Winterization Cost: What Should You Expect?
The cost of boat winterization depends on a few factors: your boat’s size, engine type, and whether you want to embark on a full-blown DIY winterization journey or want to have a helping hand from a marina service professional.
If you choose to tackle the project yourself, you’ll need to purchase items such as marine multi-surface cleaner, fuel stabilizer, engine and oil filters, lubricants, and a quality boat cover. For larger boats or more complex engine systems, many boat owners opt to have seasonal maintenance performed by a qualified marina service tech.
So the cost of boat winterization depends on how much you’d prefer to do yourself versus taking your vessel to a technician for more detailed tasks, such as changing the oil, stabilizing the fuel, and lubricating any necessary parts.
Covered Boat Storage at VIP Lake Travis
After all your seasonal maintenance is complete, the last step is finding the right storage solution to preserve all your hard work and maintenance.
For VIP Marina Lake Travis boaters, the ideal option is covered wet slips, giving you convenient access whenever the weather in Texas begins to warm up. Many Austin boaters choose from our 140 covered wet slips, each available in various sizes to accommodate a wide range of boats as well as personal watercraft. Aside from the size options, our docks are always well-maintained and under surveillance, so you never have to worry about the condition of your vessel.
Looking to inquire about a boat slip? Contact us here to learn more.