Boat Maintenance Tips For Winter 2023

Here in Southern California and with our climate, temperatures in the 90s in November and 80s in December and barely any rain, can deceive and delude us into thinking that the harsh winter storms of SoCal will never come.

The current long-range forecast indicates that "La Niña" conditions with lower than normal rain. However, we should remember that long-range weather forecasts were wrong for the last two years. Two years ago forecasters predicted a strong "El Niño" season, meaning a lot of extra rain. After the first or second strong storm, the rain completely dried out. Again, last year the forecasters promised that we would have a dry La Niña year. In reality we were deluged with “atmospheric rivers,” causing severe rain storms, dangerous flooding and mudslides in SoCal.

That being said, how should we boaters prepare for the largely unpredictable winter? We do advise that you winterize your boats. But, unlike the extreme, full-scale winterization required in colder climes to help you weather hard freezes, we mostly need to protect our boats against strong winds and heavy rains.

The single most important thing to do is to look for any water leaks and seal them. You can always check for the water tightness of your hatches and window frames by taking a hose, running water on and around them and look for any water penetration. You could even try to test with a high pressure hose at different angles. This can simulate the near-horizontal wind-driven rain that we can experience here in southern California. Water has a way of finding entry points in unlikely places.

Inspect the bilge for any leakage. Can you see any standing water? Do you know where it came from? If not, you will have to track down the origin.

Clean out and unclog all your deck scuppers and drains to allow water to escape. The standing water caused by clogged drains can create even greater problems and possible damage. You can utilize a snake, spiral wire, straightened wire coat hanger or high pressure hose to clear drains.

Check your lines -- are they frayed? Worn and frayed lines could break in strong gusting winds. If that happens, it will result in boats breaking loose and likely drift onto land, float away to sea, or crash into and damage other vessels in addition to your own.

Make sure not to leave any loose tools, toys or objects on your deck or on the dock. Winds can pick up objects and turn them into projectiles. Always bring in or tie down loose objects.

Pay extra attention to your canvas sails coverings and biminis. High winter winds can rip holes in canvas or tear apart weak seams. Make sure your sails are furled correctly, particularly the headsail and jib. If you don't furl them straight they will catch the wind and can ruin the sail.

For any boat we recommend topping up the water in lead acid battery cells in addition to brushing, cleaning and applying dielectric grease to the electrical connections.



You could look at winter here in SoCal as an opportunity to order new canvas or arrange for a haul-out and bottom painting.