De-Winterising Your Boat

Boating Season 2026 is just around the corner!

With Easter less than two weeks away—a popular target date to kick off the boating season – many of us are now starting to think about de-winterising our boats – unless, of course, you’re a seasoned boater who thrives on a bit of winter adventure on the water!

Preparing your boat carefully from the very start ensures a safer and more reliable time on the water, and below are a few simple pre-season jobs to get her ready for a summer of fun on the water:

Engine

You may have ‘put her to bed’ in perfect working condition but after a winter’s hibernation you may find things have ‘seized’ or ‘cracked’ for no apparent reason!

Start by thoroughly cleaning the engine, as a clean engine makes it much easier to identify potential issues. Inspect the fuel lines, hoses, and jubilee clips for any signs of leaks, corrosion, or wear. Check the belts for damage or deterioration.

Refer to your engine’s manual and confirm that all scheduled maintenance tasks are up to date, including filter changes, oil changes, impeller replacements, and checks of engine fluids and coolant levels. If any of these tasks are overdue, complete them before operating the engine.

Before heading out, give your engines a proper warm up to ensure everything is running smoothly. Allow them time to reach operating temperature rather than setting off immediately, as this helps improve performance, reduces wear, and can prevent issues during your trip.

Even if maintenance was carried out recently, responsible boaters should perform regular engine checks throughout the season and inspect before every outing. Remember WOBBLES:
W – Water
O – Oil
B – Belts (and Batteries)
B – Bilges
L – Leaks / Levels
E – Exhaust
S – Strainer (and Seacocks)

Batteries and Electrics

Boat batteries commonly lose charge over the winter period, so if this has happened, ensure that they are fully recharged. Check the battery voltage using a multimeter and inspect the terminals for any signs of corrosion. If applicable, top up the battery water levels. If the battery struggles to hold a charge, it should be replaced.

In addition, check all controls, switches, and knobs to ensure the electrical systems are functioning correctly. This includes both the helm controls and the cabin switches.

Instruments

Boat instruments are essential for navigation and safety when you’re out on the water. Power up all onboard instruments, including the chart plotter, GPS, VHF radio, depth finder, anemometer, and speed log. Check that each device is functioning correctly and ensure that there are no connection issues or discrepancies in the data being displayed.

Gas

Regular inspections of your boat’s gas system are vital for safety. Examine all flexible hoses for cracks, wear, or signs of deterioration, and ensure connections are secure and in good condition. Any installation or major work should only be carried out by a competent person to ensure everything meets the required safety standards.

Bilges

Any leaks, whether from water or other liquids, will naturally collect in the bilge and should be inspected and pumped out regularly. Most modern vessels are fitted with automatic bilge pumps that activate when the water reaches a certain level. This is a critical safety component and should be cleaned and inspected regularly. Lift the float switch by hand to ensure the pump activates and is working correctly. Weak power could be a sign that it is clogged with debris whereas no power could indicate an electrical fault. Any doubts to its reliability, replace!

Your manual bilge pump should also be tested. If significant water enters the hold and the automatic bilge pump fails or cannot cope with the volume of water, the manual pump may just be what saves your boat!

Water Tanks

Drain the tanks completely, then refill them with fresh water and flush out any sediment or debris. Repeat this process until the water runs clear.

After rinsing, sanitise the tank using a mild bleach solution or sterilising liquid, then run the water through the taps until it is clear and any bleach odour has disappeared.

Finally, inspect all pipes, hoses, and fittings for any signs of leaks or mould.

Heads (Toilets for landlubbers!)

This one is bound to be a bit whiffy! Leaving your boat’s toilet for an extended period of time will inevitably lead to a bit of a pong when you start to flush through. The smell comes from decomposing organisms found in seawater, along with human ‘discharges’, that get lodged in the pipes. Flush through several times with fresh water and open the hatches!

Navigational Lights

Summer often means early morning launches and late night returns as we all try to make the most of the longer days. As such it is crucial that your navigation lights are working properly, and of course a requirement under The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). Therefore power up all your systems and check thoroughly. Replace any old bulbs and look for corrosion which could cause poor contacts. It’s also a good idea to carry a few spare bulbs onboard, after all you don’t want to get caught out after dark! If you use a trailer then check those lights too.

Anchor

Inspect the anchor chain and all links for wear, corrosion, or deformation, paying close attention to the connecting shackles. Test the windlass to ensure it operates smoothly in both directions and that its brakes and gears are functioning correctly. If the boat has a bow thruster, check it for proper operation, inspect the propeller or tunnel for debris, and ensure there are no signs of corrosion or water ingress.

Sails

Checking your sails is straightforward, and small repairs like fixing broken stitching can easily be done with a basic sail repair kit.

On a calm, dry day, lay the sail out with enough space to access it, then work around the edges (foot, leech, and luff) looking for chafe, tears, or damaged stitching on both sides. Pay close attention to the UV strip, corner webbing, and fittings at the clew, tack, and head, ensuring there are no splits, loose hardware, or worn areas that could cause problems under sail. If there are signs of significant damage then it’s best to have your sails checked over by a sailmaker.

Take this opportunity to clean your sails using mild soap and water or a specialised sail cleaner solution from your local chandlery.

Haul Out!

If she hasn’t spent the winter “on the hard,” spring is an ideal time to haul her out and inspect the underwater sections. Thoroughly examine the hull, deck, and topsides for blisters, distortions, or cracks. Inspect all fittings and hatches for damage, wear, or leaks to ensure the boat remains structurally sound and watertight.

Inspect the propeller carefully for any signs of damage, such as nicks, dents, cracks, or bends. Check the hub, shaft, and key for wear, corrosion, or looseness, and ensure all fastenings like nuts and pins are secure. Spin the propeller to confirm smooth rotation, and examine the blades for consistent pitch, shape, and any worn coatings to maintain optimal performance and prevent vibration.

Inspect all through-hull fittings (seacocks) thoroughly, as they are highly susceptible to corrosion and their failure could be catastrophic. Check for signs of leaks, pitting, dezincification, or galvanic corrosion, and operate each seacock to ensure it opens and closes smoothly. Any seacock showing signs of corrosion, stiffness, or leakage should be replaced promptly.

Sacrificial anodes play a vital role in preventing electrolysis and galvanic corrosion, helping to protect your boat’s underwater metals. They should be inspected regularly and replaced once they have deteriorated to around 50%. Do not wait until the anodes are completely depleted before replacing them!

Check the keel hull joint for any cracks, gaps, or signs of movement, and look for rust streaks or corrosion around the keel bolts. Examine the keel surface for dents, gouges, blisters, or flaking paint, and ensure the keel is straight and properly aligned. Finally, make sure the keel bolts are secure and free of corrosion to maintain structural integrity and safe handling.

When inspecting the rudder, check for any cracks, chips, or corrosion on the rudder blade and stock. Make sure the rudder moves smoothly through its full range of motion and look for signs of any water ingress at the rudder post or around seals.

Finally inspect existing anti-fouling paint for wear or flaking. Touch up or reapply as needed to prevent marine growth.

Safety First!

Safety on board should always be your number one priority, so it’s essential that all safety equipment is up to date and in proper working order.

Inspect all lifejackets and service or replace them if needed. Review your first aid kit to ensure it is fully stocked. Test those throwable flotation devices, flares, sound signalling devices, and communication tools such as a VHF or DSC radio are working and easily accessible in an emergency. Examine all fire extinguishers, along with carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and replace anything that is expired or faulty.

Get Scrubbing!

Clean your boat thoroughly, then polish, wax, and paint as needed to protect and extend the life of the finish. Take care of teak decks by cleaning and treating them to preserve their appearance and durability. Clean carpets and vacuum any debris, and scrub areas where mould may have started growing over the winter. Inspect upholstery for mould and mildew, and check around all fittings for cracks or damage. Finally, examine hatches and surrounding areas for any signs of wear or leaks to ensure everything is in good condition for the season.

Get Those Finishing Touches!

Safety and maintenance come first, but once those are taken care of, it’s time to add the finishing touches on board! Explore our range of bespoke nautical decor, which can be customised with your boat’s name or a logo for a distinctive, personalised finish:

Custom Boat Cushions

Handmade boat cushions, perfect for comfort below deck or in cockpit areas.

Custom Boat Towels

Super-absorbent, quick-drying nautical towels – ideal for onboard, poolside, or beach use.

Custom Boat Mats

Welcome guests onboard with a personalised boat mat – practical and inviting!

If you have any doubts about a boat’s mechanical, electrical, or structural integrity, always seek professional advice from a qualified marine engineer.

Happy Boating!