Boat Winterization in Wrightsville, PA

As warm weather fades, it’s time for the boating season to come to a close. Winterization is an important step in preparing your boat for the cold months. Located in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, Long Level Marina offers winter storage for owners throughout York and Lancaster County. Our knowledgeable and trustworthy team ensures proper boat winterization for your vessel, protecting your investment for summers to come.

The Importance of Boat Winterization

While you might not think you need to winterize your boat, this is a vital step to protect your boat while in storage. In Pennsylvania, where freezing temperatures during the winter are the norm, it becomes especially important.

When fresh water freezes, it expands in volume by about 9%. This expansion exerts thousands of pounds of force per square inch. So much pressure can easily crack an engine block, split hoses, and ruin your refrigeration system. Even if you don’t expect freezing weather, all it takes is a sudden cold snap to burst your onboard plumbing overnight. This kind of damage is costly to fix – not to mention time-consuming. When spring arrives and you’re ready to start boating again, you could be stuck waiting for repairs.

It only takes a few hours at most to winterize a boat. In so little time, the professionals at Long Level Marina can prevent freezing damage entirely – ensuring your boat’s longevity and helping you avoid future expenses.

Annual Maintenance Benefits

Boat winterization is also a valuable part of annual maintenance. It’s an opportunity to examine your boat’s working parts for signs of deterioration and replace worn-down components before they break. Even if your pipes do not freeze, winterization is a chance to:

Identify emergent issues early for prompt repair
Prevent engine gumming due to built-up fuel varnish
Ensure that all moving parts are fully lubricated
Protect engine components against corrosion
Disconnect batteries to prevent charge loss
Confirm the function and validity of all safety gear

With all of these steps addressed, you can enjoy peace of mind that your boat is safe for storage without risk. When spring arrives, you can be confident that your boat will be at peak performance and ready for you to get on the water.

Hiring a Professional Winterization Service

Some owners feel confident in their ability to winterize a boat by themselves. Winterization is a complex task, however. While it might not take long to complete, there are several steps in the process and all of them are crucial. Just one missed step or error can expose your boat to significant risk.

Hiring a professional eliminates the dangers of DIY. At Long Level Marina, an experienced team of technicians has committed the process to memory and knows how to complete each step correctly. We are aware of the potential pitfalls and have the skill and knowledge to adapt if we encounter something expected. We also have access to replacement parts and accessories if needed. Not only will Long Level Marina complete the winterization more quickly, but we also provide the confidence that your boat is properly protected.

Winterization Experts at Long Level Marina

When storing your boat in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, you can’t go wrong with Long Level Marina. We provide a premier boating experience to nearly 400 customers annually, with a commitment to ensuring safe recreation. This means investing time and expense to ensure the best service possible.

Many of our staff members have worked at Long Level Marina for years, gaining in-depth experience with the marina and the boats we service. Our service department is staffed by certified marine technicians with the knowledge to identify and address concerns as they arise. We also maintain a store stocked with quality boat parts, accessories, cleaning supplies, and more, giving us access to anything we might need during your boat’s winterization.

Long Level Marina is also your premier partner for any other boating needs. We provide summer-long launch service, tie docks, parts shop, snacks, restrooms, and gas. Our facilities are handicapped accessible, demonstrating our commitment to meeting the needs of all our customers.

Winterization FAQs

If you’re curious about our boat winterization services, explore some Frequently Asked Questions below.

How Do You Clean Your Boat Before Winterization?

Before you think about storing your boat for the winter, you need to clean it first. You’ll want to wash both the exterior and interior. Your goal should be to remove as much grime, salt, and algae as you can. It’s only natural for these things to build up during boating season. Remember the small spots, like crevices and between the seats. After you’re finished, allow time for it to dry before waxing. While you may think waxing is optional, it’s an important step if you’re storing your boat outside.

What Maintenance Steps Should You Take Before Winterizing?

Once your boat is clean, there are some key maintenance steps you’ll need to follow as you winterize your boat. Start by changing the oil filter, flush it out, and add fresh oil. Don’t forget that you’ll want to use antifreeze in your cooling system. This is crucial if you live in an area that experiences temperatures that drop well below freezing. Flush your system with a freshwater rinse and circulate antifreeze into the cooling system until it exits out that exhaust.

Another step you’ll want to remember is using fogging oil to prevent rust and corrosion on the moving parts. Spray the fogging oil directly into the carburetors, fuel compartments, and cylinders. The resulting residue will protect the boat’s moving parts during the winter months. Last but not least, use a fuel stabilizer to protect the tank from freezing condensation. This also confirms your fuel will be ready to use when you remove your boat from storage.

How Do You Store a Boat for Winter?

You can prepare to put your boat in storage now that it’s fully clean and you’ve performed the necessary maintenance. Be sure to remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry place where it can be hooked up to a trickle charger. If you don’t own one, you can simply charge it regularly once a month. Wherever it is you plan to store your boat, you’ll want to get a breathable boat cover to protect it from dust and grime. When storing your vessel outdoors, make sure it’s applied nice and tight to protect it from snow, rain, and other elements.

Winterize Your Boat with Us

If you are in search of a boat winterization and storage service, consider choosing Long Level Marina. Based in Wrightsville, PA, we are the premier destination for boat sales, service, storage, parts, and rentals in Lancaster and York counties. Our commitment to our customers has earned many commendations and an award as a Top 100 Dealer by the Boating Industry. We are open all winter long, so you can get all of your boat maintenance done that you put off throughout the summer. To learn more about boat winterization at Long Level Marina, contact us by visiting our location or by calling 717-252-1589. To request a winterization, fill out our winterization work order.

Boat Winterization in the Wrightsville, PA, Area