Sadly, summer is coming to an end. Long gone are the days of nightly bonfires and tanning at the beach. Now, we must all begin to prepare ourselves for the harsh realities of winter. Before you know it, we’ll be wearing puffy coats and dragging through the snow. Before this happens, it’s crucial to make sure you’re prepared. For example, follow these tips for storing your boat over the winter so Mother Nature doesn’t ruin the vessel.
Empty the Bilge
Every boat owner should know what a bilge is. Yet, for those who don’t, a bilge is the lowest part of the boat, between the floorboards and the engine. The piece is designed to collect excess water. While the part is necessary and functional, it can be dangerous if the water isn’t released from it. Mold can build up, rust can build up in the bilge, and there may even be excess humidity in the vessel. For these reasons, you should know how to quickly remove water from the bilge before you put your boat away for the winter.
Turn Off All the Electricity
Now, this is one of the most important tips for storing your boat over the winter. Why? If you leave anything electric on, a fire can spark without your even knowing. For this reason, you should start by removing the battery so that it doesn’t die over the winter. Next, you should unplug anything that has wires, like the coolant system, so as to avoid a spark.
Cover It
This last tip might seem obvious, but it’s important, nonetheless. You must cover the marine vessel before putting it away for the winter. The last thing you want is to open your storage unit next summer only to find that it has been crushed by something. Not only will the cover keep the boat safe from accidents, but it’ll also prevent dust and bugs from making their way onto your ship.
It’s hard to believe that summer has reached its end. Although there are still COVID restrictions in place, hopefully, you enjoyed this summer more than the last. That’s one of the great things about owning a boat—it’s the perfect way to social distance. Hopefully, next summer, the restrictions will be gone, and your boat will be in tip-top shape.
Winter Related Articles . . .
Top Reasons Why Your
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The time of year where we turn our thermostats up and look forward to cozy nights in our homes has come. Although, if you turned your thermostat up and found you still have to bundle up for warmth, you may have a bigger problem on your hands. These top reasons why your house is always cold could be leaving you with a constant chill. Continue Reading . . .
How To Get Your Home Ready for Winter
Winterizing your home may be tedious, especially in older homes. Checking the furnace and its filter, closing all your storm windows, cleaning out the gutters, and so on is a lot to remember. What happens when winter sets in, the temperature drops, and you’re getting hit with precipitation left and right? One day it’s rain and then snow; some days, sleet; and other days, hail! Continue Reading . . .
Most Important Areas of Your Home to Insulate
Insulating your home can help improve its energy efficiency and comfort while also greatly decreasing your energy bill. Insulating your home provides a barrier between the inside and outside of your home to reduce heat loss or heat gain. If your home is under-insulated, air can seep into or out of your home, Continue Reading . .
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Bitter cold is forecast for the Northwest Indiana and Chicago area over the next week with daytime highs in the teens and overnight lows below zero. This means pipes in homes are in danger of freezing and bursting, leading an emergency call to the plumber and expensive water damage in the house. Continue Reading . . .
Winter Is Coming: How To Prepare Your Car for Snow
If there is a part of the country that knows winter, it’s this one. We don’t complain about our cold, snowy winters. We use them as bragging rights. (And after the polar vortex of 2018, can you blame us?) But just because we are used to the snow doesn’t mean that we are always quite… Continue Reading →
How To Use A Snow Thrower
“Weather is more unpredictable now than ever, so you want to be ready and prepared. Now is also the best time to review your owner’s manual and operating procedures. You should know how to quickly shut off the snow thrower and how to operate the controls, ” says OPEI President and CEO Kris Kiser. Continue Reading . . .
Common Car Problems During the Winter
Driving in the snow is beautiful and exhilarating, but it can also be a nightmare. If you do not have the know-how or tools, you can have serious problems with winter driving. Before you hit the road, here are a few of the most common car problems during the winter you should prepare for. Deflated… Continue Reading →
Snow Shoveling Tips to Protect Your Heart
With snow predicted to fall across large portions of Indiana this week, the American Heart Association encourages Hoosiers to protect their hearts while shoveling snow and to seek immediate treatment if they experience any signs or symptoms of a heart attack. Continue Reading. . .
An Emergency Survival Checklist for Winter Storms
With winter rolling through in the next few months, it’s becoming more crucial to prepare for the coldest parts of the season ahead. Scan through an emergency survival checklist for winter storms so that you can keep your loved ones and your home protected regardless of how low the temperatures drop. Continue Reading. . .
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
