Posted on January 20, 2022

Can You Leave a Boat in the Water During Winter?

Written by ShoreMaster Marketing

Getting your boat into and out of the water can be a hassle if you don’t have the right dock accessories for it. It can be tempting to just tie your boat up somewhere and leave it ready to go for the next time you feel like heading out. However, this isn’t a good idea for a number of reasons. Yes, your boat sits in the water while you’re using it, but that doesn’t mean that it’s designed for continuous exposure to the water or elements for months at a time. Get your boat out of the water, whether on a lift or trailer or in a garage, for these reasons.

Boat Deterioration

Your boat is a significant investment of money and time, which means that you want to do everything you can to protect it. Regardless of the materials, your boat is made from, it can still accumulate slime, scum, and marine life. Some materials can stain more easily, which makes water damage more evident and takes away some of the aesthetic appeals of your boat. As long as your boat gets out of the water sometimes, even on a boat lift, you’ll preserve its beauty and performance for longer.

Unsafe Conditions

Leaving your boat tied to your dock doesn’t seem too different from being up on a boat lift or otherwise out of the water, but being lifted out of the water makes your boat less vulnerable to damage from unsafe conditions. A boat that gets left in the water is more vulnerable to the elements, including rainstorms, high winds, and changing water levels and conditions. These can damage your boat as well as your dock, especially if they force a boat that’s sitting in the water to collide with your dock. On top of damaging the bottom and sides of your boat, you would also be relying on your bilge pump to take care of any water that gets into the boat rather than allowing it to drain from up on a boat lift, which is a much better idea.

Freezing Conditions  

At ShoreMaster, we’re seasonal freshwater boaters, along with many of our customers. This means adding snow, ice, and freezing temperatures to our list of problems when it comes to boat care and maintenance. Constant freezing and thawing of water isn’t good for anything, but especially not boats that are sitting in water that’s likely to freeze. Extreme temperature changes can create icy conditions that can batter your boat’s hull and damage it further. Cold conditions can also impact the electronics and engine, which can be pricey to repair in the spring. Also, learn how to care for your dock during winter months.

ShoreMaster Infinity Boat Lift

After decades in the waterfront business, we at ShoreMaster know a thing or two about water. We come from the Land of 10,000 Lakes and are seasonal boaters ourselves which means that we’ve seen several winters and know how best to weather them. For more cold-weather help, answers to your boat lift accessories and parts questions, or expert guidance on the best way to approach your unique waterfront, contact a ShoreMaster dealer in your area.