December 5, 2024

Written by ShoreMaster Marketing

How to Winterize a Pontoon Boat on a Lift: Essential Steps for the Off-Season

As the boating season winds down, preparing your pontoon boat for winter storage will not only extend its lifespan but also keep your watercraft in optimal condition when warmer days swing back around. If this is your first winter with your pontoon, keep reading to learn essential tips for properly winterizing your vessel. 

Why Winterizing Your Pontoon Boat Is Essential  

Winter brings a host of seasonal weather shifts that can lead to wear, potential damage, and costly repairs if left unaddressed. Water left in the boat’s systems and components can freeze, expand, and damage the engine, cooling system, and hull. Even if your area doesn’t experience freezing conditions, the increased moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and corrosion on the watercraft’s electronics, fuel system, and other interior components. 

Taking the time to prepare your pontoon boat for winter helps ensure it stays in top shape, minimizing downtime when warmer weather returns.

Steps to Prepare Your Pontoon Boat for Winterization  

If you don’t have ample experience with winterizing boats, we recommend hiring a professional. As the experts from Barletta Boats point out, this is also a great opportunity to perform annual maintenance, such as changing the engine oil, greasing the propshaft, and cleaning the water pump impeller (Lizzi, 2022). 

With that said, here are the basic winterization steps for pontoon boats:

• Clean the Exterior: Take the boat out of the water and scrub the toons using a pressure washer or soapy water and a soft brush to clear off any discoloration and marine growth. Similarly, check the motor and propeller and clear them of seaweed and other marine growth, ensuring any screens or vents are debris-free. Then, move up to the side panels and rails to wash off any accumulated grime. 
• Clean the Interior: Remove all accessories, gear, and equipment from the boat, as these can trap moisture and cause mildew growth. Use mild soap and water to clean the seats and storage compartments, washing out bugs, leaves, and other debris that could cause discoloration. Dry everything out completely to prevent mold and mildew growth during storage.  
• Drain the Water Systems: Start by draining water from the bilge, live wells, and other water systems to prevent freezing damage. Disconnect hoses where possible to allow any trapped water to escape. After drying damp areas with a cloth, consider using a wet/dry vacuum or blowing compressed air to remove as much water as possible. 
• Winterize the Engine: Always consult the owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendations and guidelines. This can involve adding a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and running the engine briefly to circulate it. In colder climates, adding antifreeze to plumbing lines and the engine block helps protect against freezing damage. If you're not confident about winterizing the engine, leave the job to the professionals to prevent potential damage.     
• Lubricate Moving Parts: Grease the steering and control mechanisms and apply a light lubricant coating to exposed metal components like the propeller shaft to prevent rust and corrosion. Again, the exact process will depend on the type of pontoon you own, so always consult the owner’s manual for specific instructions.  

Finally, disconnect the battery and store it in a warm, dry place. Connect it to a battery tender over the winter. This device supplies a low, consistent charge to keep the battery in optimal condition, ensuring it’s ready to use when needed. 

How to Winterize a Pontoon Boat on a Lift  

While a pontoon boat lift can significantly simplify the winterization process and minimize maintenance tasks, there are a few things to keep in mind to keep your vessel safe and secure during winter storage:

• Boat Position: Position the boat on the lift with balanced weight distribution to prevent shifting. If you notice the pontoon leaning to one side, adjust its position to minimize undue stress on the lift arms and hardware.  
• Reinforcements: Since winter storms can create strong winds, we recommend adding reinforcements to keep the boat steady. Secure the lift arms and the pontoon rail kit with heavy-duty, weather-resistant straps to limit movement, adding cross-bracing if your area is prone to adverse weather conditions.  
• Boat Cover: Use a high-quality, waterproof cover to shield your boat from snow, ice, and debris. Better yet, have it shrink-wrapped for the ultimate moisture protection. Many boat dealers offer this service; if they don't, they can usually connect you with someone who does.  

We recommend periodically checking in on your boat, especially following adverse weather events like heavy snowfall or storms, to ensure it remains stable and secure above the waterline. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Winterizing Your Pontoon Boat  

While it can take years to perfect your offseason boat maintenance practices, you can always avoid these common pitfalls: 

• Using the Wrong Cover: Many boaters make the mistake of using covers that aren’t tailored to their boat’s specifications or aren’t designed for winter. Whether travel, mooring, or universal covers, using the wrong cover on your boat effectively defeats the purpose. A cover that doesn’t precisely fit your pontoon’s specifications will flap in the wind and rub against your boat, ultimately causing damage than it was intended to guard against.   
• Neglecting the Lift: The boat lift operates in the same environment as your boat, so it only makes sense to afford similar care to it. Over time, wear and tear on lift components, such as cables, pulleys, and bolts, can lead to failures if not properly inspected and maintained.

Take the offseason as an opportunity to examine all moving parts for signs of corrosion, fraying, or rust, and apply lubrication where needed to ensure smooth operation. Tighten loose bolts or fasteners, and replace worn-out parts to keep your pontoon secure during winter storage.

Why Choose ShoreMaster Pontoon Boat Lifts for Winterization Support  

ShoreMaster’s pontoon boat lifts for sale are expertly crafted to support today’s larger, more powerful vessels. With a wider, longer, double V-side design and dime-welded frames, our lifts provide superior stability and durability that bolted frames can't match. In addition to offering the industry's easiest assembly and installation, you can even leave them on the water in average winter conditions for the ultimate ease of ownership (Brinson Marine, 2021).   

ShoreMaster’s boat lifts set the industry standard for reliability and performance, making them one of the most trusted solutions on the market. Contact us today to discuss your requirements, or use our online tool to find boat lift dealers near me. 

References:

• Barletta Boats (Ashley Lizzi, January 17, 2022). How to Winterize a Pontoon Boat (6 Easy Steps). Retrieved from https://www.barlettapontoonboats.com/blog/how-to-winterize-a-pontoon-boat-6-easy-steps 
• Brinson Marine (2021). What Maintenance Does Your Boat Lift Need? / ShoreMaster Boat Lifts. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/oxtrxLLtzWg?si=Yay9eHcxYmH4Za8P