Tucking your boat in for the winter?

For boat enthusiasts everywhere, the end of boating season can be disappointing, as on-the-water adventures are about to end and the task of winterization is about to begin.

As boat owners know, protecting your watercraft through the winter here in New Hampshire requires an investment of time, labor and money. Considering that winterization is an absolute imperative that can help prevent irreversible damage, it may help to view this process not as a chore, but as a chance to dream about next spring when you’ll be ready to return to the water. When it comes to winterizing your boat, be sure to follow these two essential steps:

1. Find the best storage place indoors or outdoors

winterizing your boat

  • If possible, find a place to have your boat spend the winter out of water and well out of the way of inclement weather.
  • If you are storing your boat outdoors, check on the level of security. Is there security personnel on duty? Is it a locked facility?
  • If your boat will be exposed to the elements over the winter, make sure to have it shrink-wrapped by a professional.

2. Be thorough in winterizing or rely a pro

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, the steps to winterizing your boat can be easily found via many online resources. Click here to review a series of helpful tips on winterizing your boat from Safeco Insurance. Another great place to look is your boat’s owner’s manual, as most include detailed winterization instructions. Regardless of what source you use to get the details, you will ensure a better start come next boating season if you follow a comprehensive checklist now to get your boat ready for winter.

If you’re opting out of the do-it-yourself category and instead trusting the pros, be sure to find a shop that specializes in winterization. Schedule an appointment well in advance of the inclement weather we are accustomed to experiencing in the winter and sometimes even the fall. To find the best option, consider asking a fellow boating enthusiast for a reference.

Regardless of how you choose to prepare your prized watercraft for the frigid days of winter, we at Knapton, Read & Woods Insurance Agency hope you enjoy the cooler season as you await the return of spring!

Contact Us!

Part of protecting your boat throughout all four seasons is securing adequate boat insurance coverage. At Knapton, Reade & Woods in Hillborough, NH, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the boat insurance coverage you need at the most affordable rate. Just give us a call at or click here to contact us online.

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Content provided by Safeco Insurance