5 Common Ways to Damage Your Boat During the Winter.
In the United States, one out of 10 households owns a boat, and there are around 12 million registered boats used for recreation. Even more, Americans enjoy being out on the water with their family and friends throughout the spring, summer, and early fall months.
However, when the winter weather arrives, it's time to enjoy more indoor-oriented hobbies. It seems like it feels even colder out on the water than on land, which means most boaters need to get their boats ready for the winter temperatures and conditions, even before it’s actually winter.
Unfortunately, many boat owners fail to winterize their boats, and this can cause damage to their boats and delay their pleasure of returning to the water in the spring. So, here are some common ways of damaging your boat over the winter months; we hope by addressing these common issues, you’re better prepared to protect your time on the water.
Wrong Cover
Depending on where you live, your boat might be subject to some harsh winter weather. If you simply use your traveling cover, you aren't protecting it as well as you could. A traveling cover doesn't have the design or durability to stand up to ice and snow, which means when spring arrives, you might discover that the inside of your boat needs a lot of work.
From upholstery and flooring to the electrical systems, the winter elements can damage your boat. The right boat cover provides the coverage and versatility that you need to keep essential systems and the interior in tip-top shape.
You need to make sure that you find a cover that is designed to stand up to the harsher conditions of a cold winter, especially when you know that your boat will sit unattended for an extended period of time outside. The right boat cover can make all the difference when warmer weather returns, and ensure you'll be ready to get back out on the water.
No Cover
Surprisingly, many boat owners don’t actually cover their boats in the winter months. Whether you’re leaving your boat inside or out, it’s important that you have it properly covered. Remember, the hull of your boat is designed to consistently be in the water, the rest of the boat isn't.
If you don’t cover your boat, you can expect to spend a few days cleaning and repairing the upholstery in the cabin, removing mold and mildew, and likely even replacing carpet or other fabrics.
Additionally, when snow and ice pile up on the deck of your boat, they'll melt and refreeze throughout the winter months. This can cause damage to your deck fittings. This could lead to damage of the stanchion bases.
Finally, if water seeps into a small space and then freezes again, it will expand and cause damage and breakage to almost any area of your boat. It's essential that you find the right cover and protect your investment throughout the winter months.
Dust, Debris, and Critters
As mentioned above, If you're storing your boat indoors, some owners skip having a cover altogether. However, even an indoor space can bring a host of possible damages if you don't cover your boat properly. You may even face some of the same damage as leaving outdoors uncovered, such as mold and mildew.
You may find your boat covered in dust and debris. This could take days of cleaning to restore your boat before being able to take it out on the water again. Some dust and debris can even create stains that you can't get rid of easily.
Mice, squirrels, and other critters can decimate your boat over a few winter months in dry storage. They will gleefully chew through wires and hoses, and tear up upholstered items to create nice warm nests. You may also find evicting them in the spring isn't as easy as it should be.
Even if you're storing your boat inside during the winter weather, you still need the right cover to protect it.
Your Wallet
You might think that your insurance will cover anything that happens to your boat. However, this isn't true. While your insurance might cover damage that occurs during a winter storm, it isn't going to cover it if you didn't take the basic precautions, such as covering it.
Here are four things that your insurance isn't going to cover if it happens to your boat:
Common wear and tear: This is the type of thing that you would consider general maintenance for your boat.
Critters, insects, and mold: Insurance doesn't typically cover damage due to an infestation. You must take precautions to ensure one doesn't happen.
Damage due to improperly transporting or storing your boat: If your trailer isn't rated to carry your boat, and it falls off, the damage isn't covered.
Accessories: All those cool gadgets on your boat aren't going to be covered by insurance.
Note: It's essential that you carefully review your own insurance policy, as every policy is different.
Lose Time on the Water
Spring is the busiest time of year for companies that handle repairs. If you haven't properly taken care of your boat over the winter, you might find the repairs take longer than normal. This means you'll lose time on the water.
The best way to protect your boat and investment over the harsh winter months is with the right boat cover. At Canvas Craft, we've got your boat covered, literally and figuratively. Contact us today to get ready for winter.