How to Prepare Your Vessel for Winter

1. Anodes and Skin Fittings

As you prepare to winterize your vessel, it’s crucial to check the condition of your anodes. Ensure they are functioning correctly and have sufficient capacity. Don’t forget to inspect your skin fittings and seacocks for signs of electrolysis, which can appear as green tinges, pink metals, or white residue. Our salvage operations see an uptick in winter as vessels succumb to water ingress, often due to electrolysis.

Additionally, snow and ice can alter your vessel's waterline, preventing proper drainage like rainwater does. We've seen several vessels with holes above the normal waterline, often from removed sink or cockpit drains, becoming submerged due to the added weight of snow or ice. Make sure to check all your fittings thoroughly! If you have any concerns, reach out to us at Liverpool Marina, we’re happy to point you in the right direction for help inspecting your boat to discuss potential issues.

2. Engines and Heating Systems

Cold winter months can cause damage to engines if the antifreeze levels in their cooling systems aren’t adequate. Similarly, heating systems on barges may require attention, and a winter drain-down could be beneficial. We can help with this, checking the glycol levels in your systems and ensuring a complete winterization of all types of engines.

If you're not using your boat and lack a modern battery management system, your battery life might deplete, leaving you with a dead battery when you’re ready to start. Avoid the common pitfall of using car battery chargers, as they can cause significant damage through electrolysis due to stray currents. Talk to our onsite boat yard about various marine systems they can provide or install as needed.

3. Preventing Neglect

Closing your boat for winter without proper dehumidification or heating can lead to various issues, especially if you plan to visit infrequently. Neglect is one of the most damaging problems we see in vessels that come to our yard, leading to seized bearings, flat batteries, mold, mildew, water damage, and much more—often at a high cost.

If you’d like assistance in monitoring your boat and keeping it clean during the winter months, we’d be happy to offer our services! Our on-site chandlery at the boatyard provides a range of boating supplies at competitive prices, making it easy to source what you need locally.

4. Use It or Lose It!

If you're berthed at Liverpool Marina, you enjoy one of the UK's most sheltered marinas for winter, with the River Mersey offering fantastic cruising opportunities year-round. The Liverpool Yacht Club, for instance, has more competitors during the winter than in summer!

Instead of locking up your boat for the season, take advantage of it!

The protection offered by the surrounding walls and tall buildings at Liverpool Marina makes a world of difference when the weather turns.