Protect Your Investment and Get Ready for Next Season
The temps start to drop. The sun starts setting earlier. These are definite signs that boating season is coming to a close. When this happens, it’s tempting to just park your boat and call it a day, but taking the time to properly winterize your boat can make all the difference when it’s time to hit the water again.
We all know that popular joke among boat owners, B.O.A.T. – Bust Out Another Thousand. It’s used so frequently in the boating community that you can even get merchandise with it on it. At Big Air Wake Towers, we know how much you value your boat and the last thing you want is unexpected damage or costly repairs when spring rolls around. So let’s keep that acronym at bay and practice the following steps.
Whether your boat is equipped with a Big Air Cuda Tower, Super Shadow Bimini, or none of our products at all, these simple winterizing steps will help protect your entire setup through the off-season.
Step 1: Give Your Boat a Deep Clean
Before storing, wash your boat inside and out. Remove any dirt, salt, and grime that can cause corrosion or stains over time.
- Regular rinsing: After each use, but especially before storing, thoroughly rinse the boat and wakeboard tower with water to remove any dirt, grime, or mineral deposits. This is the first and most important step to prevent buildup and maintain the surface.
- Gentle cleaning: Wash the tower with warm water and a mild soap. Avoid abrasive cleaners or detergents that can damage the finish or increase the risk of corrosion.
- Dry thoroughly: To prevent water spots and corrosion, dry the surface thoroughly with a microfiber cloth after washing and rinsing.
- Polishing: Over time, the natural oxide layer will dull the shine, even in fresh water. This is more for the polished finish towers than the powder coated ones. To restore the mirror finish, periodically polish the aluminum with a dedicated aluminum polish or a polishing compound. We love Blue Premium Dura-Coating Metal Polish and you can save 10% with coupon code BIGAIR, if you wish to try them.
- Apply a protective coating: This is not a requirement and most customers will not go this far. To preserve the polished finish, consider applying a sealant or protective coating, such as a specialized clear coat or a corrosion-resistant product, which will protect the metal from oxidation and make future cleaning easier.
Pro tip: If your tower includes accessories like board racks or a flag holder, you can choose to remove them before storage to keep them clean and protected.
Step 2: Take Care of the Engine and Fuel System
When you start to winterize your boat, your boat’s engine is one of its most valuable components.
- Change the oil and oil filter before storage to remove contaminants.
- Fill gasoline tank and add a fuel stabilizer to prevent ethanol breakdown and condensation in the fuel tank. Or, completely drain to ward off any ethanol-induced issues.
- Run the engine briefly after adding stabilizer to ensure it circulates through the system.
- Inspect the prop and check the trim fluid (if applicable).
If your boat has an inboard motor, be sure to drain all water from the engine block to prevent freezing.
Step 3: Drain Water Systems
Any leftover water can freeze, expanding by almost 10%, and cause damage.
- Remove your drain plug.
- Outboards, trim your engine all the way down to drain. Inboards and I/IO’s, circulate antifreeze throughout the cooling system.
- Drain your bilge, ballast tanks, and freshwater systems.
- Open and clean any valves.
- Add a little non-toxic antifreeze to the bilge and pumps for extra protection.
Step 4: Check and Protect
Your wakeboard tower, Bimini top, and tower accessories need attention, too!
- Collapse or remove your fabric from your wakeboard tower bimini and store it in a dry location.
- If you wish to completely remove your bimini from your tower, we recommend leaving the clamps in place, or marking where they were mounted to make reassembly easier in the Spring.
- Inspect your wakeboard tower and tower accessories for loose bolts or hardware and lubricate moving parts.
- Remove expensive electronics or gear for storage.
- If possible, store smaller accessories like flag holders or mirrors indoors.
These small steps will help prevent corrosion and keep your gear ready for next season’s adventures.
Step 5: Cover and Store Properly
Use a high-quality, breathable boat cover to protect against dust, debris, and moisture buildup.
If you’re storing outdoors, make sure your boat is slightly tilted so rain and melting snow can drain easily.
For extra protection, shrink wrapping is another great option to shield your boat from the elements.
DO NOT use a heater to winterize your boat. No need to risk a fire.
Step 6: Battery and Electrical Systems
Disconnect your boat battery and store it in a cool, dry place. Or, use a trickle charger to help maintain charge during storage.
Check all electrical connections for corrosion and coat them with a protective spray.
Ready for Next Season
Taking the time now to properly winterize your boat will make spring launch day stress-free. With your wakeboard tower, racks, and Bimini top in great shape, you’ll be back to chasing wakes in no time!
At Big Air Wake Towers, we’re here to make your boating experience better year-round. Whether it’s helping you upgrade your setup or protect what you already have. We are here, and happy, to help.
