How to Winterize your Pontoon

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How To
Your Pontoon
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After a sad wave goodbye to warm weather, it is
time to take out your check-list so that you can
take excellent care of your pontoon boat for the
winter. It is important that your investment is
well-protectedthis is not the time for
shortcuts. Of course, the number of items youll
have to do depends on the winter weather
conditions where you are storing your pontoon.
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The first step is to efficiently get your boat
out of the water and into storage. For larger
boats, such as pontoons, you may need a boat
trailer to accomplish this task. Once the boat is
out of the water, remove plants or mussels doing
so now is easier than it will be later when
theyve dried. You should also rinse and then dry
the pontoon thoroughly to reduce mold or mildew
growth.
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Once your boat is out of the water, you will need
to drain all water and the coolant from your
engine, and replace it with propylene glycol
based antifreeze. Any water left in your motor
engine can expand and result in expensive damage
to your motor.
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Clean the floor and cushions thoroughly. Even
though this will remove most food crumbs, you
should still leave a few mouse traps and
mothballs to ensure rodents dont make a nest in
your pontoon. Remove valuables and electronics
that can either be stolen or damaged from the
cold winter weather. When possible, store
furniture, ladders, and other accessories at room
temperature.
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For warmer climates a boat cover is needed to
cover your pontoon. A good cover should have a
snug fit and the ability to expand and contract
as temperatures change to avoid ripping. You
should always check that there arent any holes
in the cover because it is an easy entry point
for rodents.
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The biggest thing that you have to worry about in
open air conditions is a pooling effect on the
cover. Special care must be taken to support the
cover. A collapsed boat cover that traps water
keeps the deck and furniture damp. The massive
weight of pooled water can break railings, seats,
and even cause the pontoon logs to succumb to the
enormous weight, creating flat spots or ruptures.
If your boat isnt in your driveway, youll want
to make several off-season visits to ensure the
weather conditions havent caused the support
youve chosen to shift or retract.
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Another option that works just as well as a
pontoon cover is shrink wrap. Shrink wrap ensures
that there is no space for water to pool or leak
in, and its disposable so you dont have to
worry about damage to the pontoon cover that you
probably use throughout the year. A shrink wrap
kit can be purchased yearly to meet your
winterizing needs, and you can either do it
yourself or pay for a professional service to
handle it.
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Your battery should be stored in a dry and room
temperature environment. Make sure that the
battery is fully charged prior to storing it. In
cases of uncertainty, take the battery to a
marina or auto center for testing and subsequent
charging, if necessary.
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Manitou Pontoon Boats is a leading manufacturer
of technologically innovative pontoons. There are
styles and boat sizes to accommodate everyones
needs and tastes, from those who want to fish to
those who just want to show off their speed. Once
you choose your function , you can choose your
floor plan and color. Learn all about Manitous
advanced technology at www.manitoupontoonboats.com
or call 800-999-9788.
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The close to a beautiful season on the water is
bittersweet, but there is always next year. While
some steps may not be as necessary as others
depending on where you store your boat, carefully
winterizing your pontoon is a crucial process to
ensure your boat is in top condition for your
next adventure.