Snap, Crackle, Pop
It’s that time of year again when the boys of summer hang up their cleats and, here in New England, we hang up our propellers. Now winter can be cruel in many ways, but it’s propensity to create damaging ice is certainly one of the worst.
Ice can shred internal freshwater systems, split fittings and deck crevices wide open, and render big iron block engines useless. So create a checklist and follow it religiously to minimize the possibility of damage. Flush all the systems with fresh water and then use plenty of anti-freeze in the head, water system, and engine block. And, if the boat is stored outside, completely cover it with a winter cover that has effective overboard drainage to reduce the chances of standing water, the first step towards an ice dam. Finally, visit your boat periodically during the winter to ensure that any cover shortcomings are quickly and effectively addressed.
The expansion power of water freezing into ice is truly a natural wonder. Don’t let this seasonal quality prove to be your boat’s undoing this winter.
