Close

Site Information

Blog

Winter is Coming, Don’t Put Away the Sailing Sunglasses Yet!

Posted by Ocean Racing on

At Ocean Racing we want you to know that we feel what you are going through this time of year. You may have pulled your boat out of the water and placed it in storage. You may have even used one of those creepy shrink wrap systems, the only good thing about those shrink wrap systems is, it is like unwrapping a full sized sailboat in the spring. It is like a little kid's dream! The scary shrink wrap is super important if you live in a climate that is not kind to things that are living. Actually if you want to protect your boat during storage, shrink wrapping is ideal. Just like our sailing sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful and dangerous glare, the shrink wrap protects your valuable boat.

There are a few things that you need to do to get your boat ready for winter storage. Gone are the days of your youth when winterizing your boat meant turning it upside down on the grass. These days boats are complex machines that need to (as you probably already know) have constant care. If you thought that your prom queen girlfriend in high school was high maintenance, you should thank her, because she was a piece of cake compared to your boat.

Clean It!

The absolute first thing you need to do in order to get your boat ready for winter storage is pull it out of the water and clean it. Like really, scrub down all surfaces, inside and outside, top to bottom. Clean it like the cops are coming to look for your fingerprints. While you are cleaning it is a good idea to look for the little things that will need protection while your boat is in shrink wrap. Attend to the instruments, and any and all electronics that may be on board and the controls.

It’s The Little Things

Sitting idle for however long your boat will be in storage is not good for those little moving parts. The nature of moving parts is that they tend to deteriorate if not used for a while. It is a great idea to use a lubricant like WD-40 to prevent moisture from entering and rust from forming in the little moving parts like hinges, cables and locks. The best thing about cleaning your boat before putting it up for the winter is it is an opportunity to inspect the whole thing. Inspect areas that simply are ignored though normal use, areas that could use attention every once in awhile. This way when you unwrap your big present next year there are no surprises.

The Engine

Your boat more than likely has an engine, and if that is the case, winterization is critical to the survival of said engine. Your common outboard motor is much more complex than your grandpa’s Evinrude. Today’s engines are made to be much more durable but that does not mean that maintenance can be neglected. To prepare for storage the first thing you want to do is change the engine oil and filter. Be sure and start the engine after the oil change to give the cylinders a good coating. In fact, while you are doing the oil change, dump some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank and allow it to circulate the fuel system during start-up. Flush the cooling system with clean water and, just to be safe, unhook all of the battery cables.

Shed a Tear

You are now ready to lock your baby away in a sarcophagus of heat shrink. So take this final opportunity to stand on the deck with a frosty beverage and shed a few tears. Don’t worry, she will be safe and ready for next year. 

Polarizing Winter

The best part about the impending winter is the opportunity to fill the freezer with all kinds of fish. Fishing, like sailing, is the essence of life. Think about it, the first person who caught a fish was probably pretty freaked out and threw it in the fire out of fear. Realizing how tasty this [...]

Read More »


The Good Work

It may be winter in Australia but here in good old USA it is the blazing cataract of summer. The first thing that comes to mind are those guys who work in the sun all day, and we all say, “I am glad that is not me.” The poor fellas that wear long sleeves, hardhats [...]

Read More »


The Privateers and the Olympians

The Summer Olympics are upon us and in just over a week the greatest sailors in the world will be converging on Rio. They will be chasing gold in the ultimate global stage. The beauty of Rio de Janeiro is the backdrop for what is sure to be a breathtaking experience. Insane competition among the [...]

Read More »


Sun Protection

The life we lead is a good one; the water can be an amazing thing to be a part of, as if your veins were part of the sea. For people who live on the water like we do, it’s essential that the proper protective gear is used at all times. Of course, this new [...]

Read More »


The Cruel Mistress

A collective is commonly thought of as a group that is moving towards a common goal. As sailing aficionados, we are the ocean collective. We put on our sailing sunglasses and stare into the rising sun, embracing the day. It takes a special person that has devoted themselves to the unbelievable task of mastering the [...]

Read More »


A Pirate's Life

The rocks that lie on the bottom of the ocean are said to contain a certain amount of the beginnings of our planet. I really don’t know much about that but it sounds pretty cool. It’s like we share the same water with vikings and pirates. I mean, who hasn't looked into the ocean and [...]

Read More »


Not Particularly Normal

The thing that sets us apart from “normal” human beings is our ability to read the ocean and make judgements based on those assessments. It is not an insult to think of a sailor as not normal, it is a compliment. We read clouds like translating a classical adventure novel, interpreting them into something that [...]

Read More »


Legends of the Sea

We have talked about ancient mariners and the legacy that the ocean holds for sailors like us. Sailing for pleasure or sailing for a purpose, it is all the same. The boats are as different as snowflakes and the sailors as diverse as those on the subways in New York City. The thing that is [...]

Read More »


The Ocean's Call

The call of the ocean is something that all of us know well. The early morning mist rising around the dock. The smell of two-stroke in the marina. It all brings to mind a gorgeous day on the water. You wait all week to have the weekend to explore. This is true whether you live [...]

Read More »


Powered by Top Rated Local®