It’s getting colder and winter will be blowing in soon.  Now is the time to get your lakefront property ready for winter.  Properly winterizing your boat, boatlift and dock will help protect them from the harsh Wisconsin winters and can save you from expensive repairs in the spring.  Below are some tips to help you winterize your lakefront property.

YOUR BOAT 

Start by pulling your boat out of the water and preparing it for storage by following these steps:

1. CHANGE THE OIL - This is one of the first things you should do even if you changed it recently.  If you used your boat between oil changes, there is a chance some water got into the oil. 
2. DRAIN THE COOLANT - This is the next thing you need to do. Flush the system with water to ensure the coolant is completely gone, then refill with antifreeze making sure to follow dilution instructions. Antifreeze is necessary to make sure none of the vulnerable areas of the engine freeze and to help prevent engine corrosion. 
3. ADD ENGINE FOGGING OIL - Next you’ll want to spray the engine with engine fogging oil. This will  protect the moving parts of the engine during the cold weather. 
4. GREASE THE CONTROL MECHANISM - Apply waterproof grease to the joints and other steering components to make sure it is safe and will move efficiently next year.   
5. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY - To prevent the battery from draining all winter, you’ll want to disconnect it. 
6. FILL THE TANK WITH GAS - It may sound counterintuitive, but you should fill the gas tank before you store your boat for the winter to prevent condensation from building up on the inside which could  cause corrosion or other damage.  When you fill the tank, be sure to also add gasoline stabilizer to make sure the gas is good to go when the weather warms.  

BOAT LIFT

You can help protect your boat lift from the harsh weather and icy conditions during the winter by staying ahead of the boat lift’s wear and tear.  Just following these steps:

1. WORN PARTS & MOBILITY - Give the boat a thorough check to find any worn parts and check the mobility.  Inspect the cables, as well, to make sure they’re in good condition before winter.  Repair or replace any worn or damaged parts as needed.  Check the bearings and grease points and add grease as needed to ensure they move smoothly.

 

2. SECURE THE LIFT - Winter storms and strong winds can loosen the lift from the dock and cause damage, so it’s important to secure the lift firmly to the dock.  Be careful not to put too much strain on the fixtures that are holding it to the dock. 

 

3. ELECTRIC LIFT MOTORS - If your boat lift has a motor, you will want to take it out and store it in a safe place.  Protecting it from the winter elements will help the motor  perform better in the spring. 

DOCK

How to winterize your dock is different depending on the location of it.  Click on the link below to see tips and diagrams showing how to winterize yours: https://thedockspot.com/winterizing-tips.html

Thinking of selling your lake home?  Contact an Emmer Real Estate expert here:  https://www.emmerrealestate.com/about-us/our-team/?section=signin