Seasonal
When should I winterise my boat?
Before the first hard frost — in most of the UK that means late October to mid-November. Engines, freshwater systems and heads are what freeze and split. Booking in September or early October gets you a slot; leaving it until the forecast turns usually does not.
Winterisation is mostly about water that expands when it freezes: raw-water circuits, calorifiers, freshwater tanks, pumps and heads. Add fuel stabilisation and a full tank to limit condensation, oil and filter changes so acidic oil doesn't sit in the engine all winter, and battery maintenance.
The other half of the job is ventilation and damp. A sealed boat grows mould; a ventilated one with a dehumidifier or vents comes out of winter in far better shape.
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More from the advice library
Guidance only — not a survey or a quote. In an emergency at sea call 999 and ask for the coastguard. 16 questions in the library.