Winterising
Part I – Main Machinery & Associated Equipment
Please check your engine operator’s manual for additional checks.
Part II – Auxiliary, Domestic & Hotel Systems
Part I - Main Engine
Action to be taken | Completed |
Drain fuel tank of water and sediment. | |
Fill fuel tank to the top, whilst adding a biocide. | |
Check fuel filler cap is screwed down tightly. | |
Change engine oil and filters. | |
Check coolant anti-freeze is at the correct freezing point, your boatyard should have a freezing point test tool that you can use. | |
If engine is raw water cooled – substitute an anti-freeze mix into the suction side of the seawater pump, shut sea water cock whilst drawing a suction from a bucket of anti-freeze mix – when the exhaust cooling water exits the same colour as the anti-freeze mix, is a good indication that there is sufficient anti-freeze in the system. | |
It is recommended that the sea water pump impeller be removed. | |
Disconnect batteries – not necessary if on shore power or solar panel charging, switch battery controller to ‘Batteries Only’, for the duration. | |
Put rags or a plug up the exhaust pipe. | |
Clean inside the air filter, block with a rag. | |
Clean the bilge area under and around the engine. | |
Check all electrical connections, spray with WD40. | |
Shut the main engine seacock, attach a sign to the starting panel "Seacock Shut". |
Gearbox Associated Systems | Completed |
Change oil. |
Auxiliary, Domestic and Hotel Systems | Completed |
Equipment that uses batteries, remove all small batteries (AA,AAA), draw up a list. | |
Central heating systems – check freezing level temperature, add anti-freeze if necessary. | |
Bunks and beds – lift up mattresses, allow air to circulate. | |
Check gas bottles are disconnected. | |
Pour anti-freeze down toilets, showers and pump out. | |
Check all shower, toilet overboard discharges plus toilet inlet sea cocks are shut, stick a label on the toilet seat to this effect. | |
Pour anti-freeze down sinks to fill ‘U’ bends. | |
Check all bilges are dry. | |
Winterise generator, shut sea cock, allow generator to take suction from a bucket of anti-freeze. Hang a sign on the generator starting switch – ‘Seacock Shut’. | |
Drain down calorifier and fresh-water system, if able to do so. | |
Check all tins, packets of food and beer to be left on board – will they be in date next year. | |
Clean fridges, leave doors open. | |
Spray WD40 around instrument panels. | |
Take down biminis – clean, loosely roll up. | |
Take down flags, burgees, and pennants. | |
Remove all loose items from the upper deck, stow inside, check all hatches and lockers are locked. | |
Switch to ‘off’ all battery master switches. Check your emergency bilge pump(s) indicator light is on. | |
Check boat is tied up correctly, warps and springs are secure for the winter, double up if necessary. | |
Check sufficient slack on the shore cable, both end connecting plugs are secure. | |
Take water and electric readings. | |
Pack charts, cartes and cruising books - to plan next year’s cruise. | |
Check marina office has a key to your boat. |