Winterizing a Boat in the Water: The Rules

To admire the snow on the Ligurian Apennines or the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines—or perhaps the Apuan Alps—right from the deck of your own boat; to enjoy sunny winter days, with spectacular skies crisscrossed by thousands of migratory birds; to admire the seaside villages in their most authentic form. Continue to sailing in winter It could be aOne of the best decisions a boater can make, perhaps accustomed to relying on the dry storage. But as we all know: deep down, when the opportunity arises, the saying goes, “The best place for a boat is in the water.” And of course, continuing to sail even during the cold months and Experience the sea nonstop It is one of the main advantages of theWinter storage of the boat in the water. But what do you need to keep in mind when you decide not to ground the hull? Here are the rules to follow.

Pros and Cons of Winter Boat Storage

We’ve already said it: the chance to go sailing on beautiful—or not-so-beautiful, depending on how adventurous we are—winter days is the first major advantage of wintering your boat in the water. This is especially true for those who leave their boat at their trusted marina, where they can occasionally choose to simply relax on board, alternating between seasonal maintenance and small odd jobs. But that’s certainly not all! Storing your boat at a marina allows you to take full advantage of the marina’s annual fee, avoiding the need to pay for a dry dock berth and the associated storage fees. Speaking of storage facilities, keeping the boat in the water also helps avoid the potential damage they can cause to the underwater hull—something that, unfortunately, is far from rare. While it’s true that winterizing your boat in the water eliminatesthe structural stress of “solid”support , we can’t overlook the fact that there are different types of challenges in the water, such as the risk of water infiltration, weather-related threats, algae growth, and so on.

For all these reasons, anyone who chooses to winter their boat in the water must follow a (not-too-long) list of special rules.

Winterizing a Boat in the Water: Rules to Avoid Damage

Leaving your boat in the marina’s waters during the winter doesn’t mean you can “skip” winterization by pretending that your boat doesn’t need maintenance or special protection. Here’s what you need to do to store your boat in its slip:

Choosing a sheltered port: The first rule for worry-free winter storage in the water is undoubtedly to choose a marina that is truly sheltered—that is, a marina capable of protecting boats during bad weather. Our marina in the town center is an ideal choice for this very reason, thanks to the barrier provided by Genoa’s breakwater.
Choose a marina that’s active year-round: the second rule on our list also has to do with safety. Anyone who decides to leave their boat moored in the water even during the winter months would be wise to choose a port with staff on duty 365 days a year, without exception, so as not to leave the boat to fend for itself on forgotten piers. Marina Porto Antico has at least one staff member on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Optimizing Mooring: Inanticipation of long periods of inactivity between outings, and in preparation for days of bad weather, the boat’s mooring must be as effective and secure as possible, with at least 4 mooring points and backup lines. It’s a good idea to use high-quality (not old) mooring lines and “extra” fenders to prevent any damaging contact.
Check all seals: The boat owner’s number oneconcern is undoubtedly the risk of sinking, which can occur primarily due to the presence of water on board. For this reason, it is essential to ensure there are no water leaks: check that all sea cocks and portholes are closed and watertight.
Check for any leaks: especially in older boats, small leaks are more common than one might hope. Among the weakest points are the bases of the through-hull fittings.
Keep the bilge pump running: obviously, in the event of water ingress (from the sea or rain), the bilge will be the first area to flood. For this reason, especially during long periods at anchor, it’s a good idea to make sure the bilge pump is running and ready for use (if the boat’s electrical system allows it) or to install special remote sensors.
Remove what you don’t need: In winter, there are often several weeks between outings. It’s therefore worth clearing the boat of anything that can be easily removed and put back: awnings and cushions should be stored in a dry place, so you have one less thing to worry about.
Check the anodes: A boat that remains in the water is obviously exposed to galvanic corrosion, so it’s a good idea to make sure the various “zinc anodes” are in good condition.
Performing an engine service: Whether your boat is stored on land or in the water, the engine always needs a service at least once a year. The best time to do this is in the fall, after the busiest summer months.
Keep an eye on the fuel tank: Those planning to use their boat even in the winter can worry a little less about this, but they certainly shouldn’t forget about it. Diesel tanks should always be kept full—or nearly full—with a good dose of fuel additive to keep the fuel “fresh.”
Keep an eye on the batteries: Each type of battery has its own operating conditions, so it’s best to read the manufacturer’s guidelines and assess your system to determine whether to charge them to full capacity, disconnect them, or leave them connected to the solar system for trickle charging.
The Right Boat Cover: Even those who choose to leave their boat in the water over the winter and own a boat that isn’t too large should get a good cover capable of covering the boat to protect it from UV rays, rain, bird droppings, and so on. Certainly, those who moor in a marina with the intention of using their boat would be wise to choose models that are easy to remove and put back on.
Reducing humidity on board: Mold is one of the most common threats during winter boat storage, especially when the boat is in the water. For this reason, it’s important to make sure the cover has openings to allow for ventilation; in some cases, however, it’s a good idea to use dehumidifiers.
A matter of antifouling: In winter , marine growth tends to be less aggressive on the hull, but it’s certainly a good idea to make sure the boat has good antifouling protection to make cleaning the underwater hull easier later on.
Don’t forget about your boat: finally , even if you choose a sheltered and lively marina like Marina Porto Antico, it’s a good idea not to leave your boat unattended for too long: it’s best to plan to stop by (or have someone stop by) your berth every now and then—whether for a quick trip out to sea or just to check on things on board—to make sure everything is in order.