The average cost to winterize a boat is around $300. This would be by paying someone to come out and have it winterized professionally. The cost can vary quite a bit depending on which company you hire, or if you have your local marina do it.
In terms of size you can expect a small boat to cost around $150, whereas a larger one would cost around $500.
Winter boat storage may also be necessary depending on your location or if you have a strong winter. Boat storage could cost anywhere between $30 to $500+ a month. With that said, it's difficult to give an average winter storage cost as this depends a lot on the size of your boat, and where you live.
The Cost Of Not Winterizing
By choosing not to winterize your boat during the cold season, you could cause the following damages to your boat:
- Frozen liquids expanding in the engine
- Mildew and mold over the interior
- Cracks in the hull and corrosion of wires
All of these issues will end up costing you more money in the long run. The expense of replacing an engine is not worth the headache. Too many people think they know better and skip the winterizing process, and then come to regret their decision and winterize their boats every single winter.
DIY Winterize A Boat
For someone more handy, you can also choose to do a DIY winterizing of your boat. This is a great way to save money, and can save you some time once you know how to do it. On average it should cost around $70 or less to DIY winterize your boat.
The steps to winterize your boat are shown in the following YouTube video:
Boat Winterizing Supplies
In order to winterize a boat, you'll need a few essential supplies:
How To Save Money On Boat Winterizing
If you're going to winterize your boat, here's a few steps to reduce the cost:
- Complete oil changes when the engine is still warm: This helps to flush out old oil and ensures the new oil will fully coat the internal components.
- Use RV antifreeze: Don't be fooled by a "marine-specialty" antifreeze, it's cheaper and fully effective.
- Buy a boat cover: It may be expensive upfront, although this is a great investment that will help to protect your boat from weather.
- Disconnect and remove batteries: Store them somewhere safe and warm. This will keep them in good condition during the wintertime. If not, you'll have to replace them when spring comes around.
To Conclude
At the end of the day if you have the spare time, it's worth winterizing a boat yourself. This can save you some money and provide you some valuable experience and knowledge about your boat.
If you don't have the time to winterize your boat, then hiring a professional to get it done is your best bet. The cost may be cheaper if you hire an independent mechanic rather than a boat shop or marina.