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Helping boaters and yacht owners prepare for winter.

Boat Winterization and Pre-Season Preparation Services In Vancouver, BC

Winter is Coming – Is Your Boat Ready for Winter?

Ignition Marine offers boat winterization and pre-season preparation services to help you get your boat ready for winter.

Boat Winterization in Vancouver, British Columbia

Boat winterization ensures that your boat is properly protected during the winter months by adding the proper amount of antifreeze to your engine cooling system and changing the oil and filter.

It also includes fogging the engine to help protect it from rust and corrosion, as well as cleaning and lubricating the parts of the engine that need it.

Proper winterization will help your boat’s engine last longer and perform better. That’s why it’s recommended for all boats stored in Canada during the winter months.

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How to Winterize Your Boat for the Winter/Cold Months

You need to remember a few things on how to winterize a motor boat for the winter months. Here are some tips: 

Clean the boat thoroughly inside and out.

Remove all food and garbage from the boat.

Drain all the water from the boat, including the freshwater tank, bilge, and toilets.

Add antifreeze to the boat's cooling system, as well as to the toilets and sink drains.

Change the oil and filter in the boat's engine.

Lubricate all moving parts on the boat, including the steering system, throttle, and shifter.

Cover your vessel with a tarp or shrink wrap to protect it from the elements.

Store your ship, boat or watercraft in a safe, dry place.

Our team of experts at Ignition Marine can help you with proper boat motor winterization to prepare your vessel for the winter months. We offer various services, including boat winterization, engine fogging, oil changes, and more.   

If you’re in North Vancouver or Lower Mainland, BC and need help winterizing your boat, call us today to book an appointment. 

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Why is Boat Winterization Necessary? 

You consider winterizing and putting your boat away as winter approaches to protect it from the ravages of the weather. In regions where the climate is still warm, winterization is also referred to as “long-term storage.”

To prevent damage from potential long sitting periods and cold weather conditions, a boat must be properly winterized. If you don’t get your boat winterized, the repairs you will need to do when the new season starts could end up costing more.

A boat that hasn’t been winterized will rust because water will collect within it while it’s being stored for the winter.

These rust buildups obstruct the passageways, which causes the boat engine to heat up. Serious fuel-related issues might result from untreated fuel. There may also be further issues, like seal failure and gear case damage.

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late!

Call Ignition Marine today and book an appointment for our boat winterization and pre-season preparation services. We’ll guarantee your boat is 100% ready for winter.

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Boat Pre-Season Preparation

Once the winter’s over, it’s time to start thinking about getting your boat ready for the new season. But before you take it out on the water, there are a few things you need to do to make sure it’s in good condition.

We offer pre-season preparation services to get your boat ready for the upcoming season. This includes inspection, repairs, maintenance, cleaning, and polishing.

Why is Pre-Season Boat Necessary? 

Pre-season preparation is important because it helps ensure that your boat is ready for the rigors of another boating season. It also allows you to catch any potential problems early before they have a chance to cause serious damage.
Specifically, pre-season offers you the following benefits:

If you’re in North Vancouver or Lower Mainland, BC and need help getting your boat ready for the new season, call us today to book an appointment. We’ll be happy to get your boat prepped and ready to go.

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With Ignition Marine

You Can Be 100% Sure That Your Boat Is In Good Hands.

Our pre-season service technicians will thoroughly inspect your boat and get it ready for the season ahead. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

What’s Included in Our Boat Winterization and Pre-Season Preparation Services?

Using our marine pre-season and winterisation services, you’ll save a lot of money. Our knowledgeable specialist offers you thorough boat winterization services, enabling you to keep your vessel safe and in top condition all winter long.

As the new season approaches, you’ll be prepared to enjoy the excitement of boating. Our company offers the following professional pre-season services: 

Pre-season: 

Winterization: 

Allow us to protect your boat from seasonal harm so you may enjoy the boating season to the fullest!

Experience Summer On The Water Like Never Before!

We are your one-stop shop for all of your boat winterization and pre-season preparation needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
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How Long Does a Boat Winterization Last?

A boat winterization can last anywhere from several months to an entire year. The length of time will depend on how well the boat was winterized and how well it was stored. If the boat was not properly winterized or if it was not stored in a safe, dry place, then the winterization may not last as long.

You should winterize your boat every year to ensure that it is properly protected from the cold weather. Boat winterizing will also help keep your vessel in good working condition and prevent any potential problems.

How Long Does a Pre-season Boat Last?

A pre-season boat can last for many years if it is properly maintained. However, if the boat is not properly pre-seasoned, it may only last for one season.

You should always consult with a professional before pre-seasoning your boat. A professional will be able to properly assess your boat and determine if it is safe in pre-season.

Pre-seasoning your boat is an important step in maintaining your investment. By pre-seasoning your boat, you can be sure it will last many years.

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Boat Winterization FAQs

When outboard engines are left tilted in the down position, they must be drained of all water to prevent condensation. To avoid this problem and ensure your engine stays dry while not being covered or enclosed under something heavy like a tarp will also help with ventilation.

  • You’ll want to protect the engine’s internals from corrosion as it sits by giving its interior some assistance.
  • Outboards used to be fueled by fogging oil, but this is no longer the case. Modern outboard engines are now typically “fogged” through a much easier process than before, which makes them perfect for those who want their boat running without hassle!
  • Some engines offer a protection layer for the engine that can be mixed into gas. The product is electronically controlled with an outboard control system, and just by navigating to winterize mode in your navigation map, you will have accomplished this task!
  • Each manufacturer has its way of doing things, so consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions.

Experts have said a thousand times that “the best way to winterize an outboard is simply by using it.” This couldn’t be further from true if you live in a place where engines are usually operated frequently enough for their normal operating temperature range, and long periods of inaction won’t cause any problems with your powerplant!

One final tip for the season- change your lower unit and powerhead oil and visually inspect it to ensure there hasn’t been any water intrusion. Put that boat in storage with fresh fluids!

Stern drives are more complex than outboard engines because they require water removed from the block and driving unit. You may also need antifreeze running through it all and making sure everything’s coated with enough for harsh winter weather.

There are quite some differences between the different makes and models, which can be significant, so you’ll want to consult your owner’s manual.

  • Removing block plugs will help you drain the engine and remove sediments that can build up inside.
  • In addition, you’ll want to take some time to thoroughly check exposed parts like hoses and clamps to ensure that everything is functioning as it should be after playing all season long.
  • The engine needs to reach operating temperature before fogging it, and you should also bring the engine’s operating temperature up to “cook” out any moisture that may remain inside.
  • Oil changes are practically essential for the longevity of your engine. Make sure you take that step with an informed decision, too.

Inboard treatments are similar to stern drives without a drive system. They are typically done by opening petcocks and removing plugs to drain them into an antifreeze solution that will keep everything running smoothly while at sea.

  • In some cases, inboards often remain in the water for winter. If you plan on keeping your boat that long then it’s important to close off the intake seacock and remove the exhaust hose from its mouth before submerging the end into the bucket full of environmentally safe antifreeze!
  • It’s important to ensure the engine is operating temperature before running antifreeze through because otherwise, it will block some cooling passages until you are up on the heat.
  • To get the best from your engine, you must maintain its health by doing a visual inspection, fogging, and oil change before winter and at regular intervals. It will help ensure smooth operation when needed most- during those cold months!

All gas-powered engines require individualized care and attention, whether you have a small fishing boat or an ocean liner.

  • The first step to ensuring your engine runs smoothly and efficiently is adding a quality fuel-stabilizing additive.
  • Winterizing a boat with ethanol-blended fuel in your tanks can be disastrous, as the mixture becomes increasingly unstable and prone to separation. It means that when you go out next spring, there will most likely be watery floods and dangerous phase transitions – meaning big problems!
  • After adding the additive, run your engine so that it gets distributed through every part of its system.

When you’re done fixing the ethanol problem, change all of your engine’s filters and separators. The key here is “change.” Sometimes people will remove their fuel/water filter to pour out any excess water before reusing it.

Always replace the canister when pouring out water from your filter to prevent dirt or debris that was in there from getting drawn into other system components. This way, you avoid damaging those parts.

Plumbing systems are the next things most boat owners will need to consider.

  • Any freshwater system, including sinks and tanks, must be completely drained before adding non-toxic antifreeze.
  • In most cases, you’ll need to open all faucets and allow them to run until the fresh water tank is dry. Once you’ve located and plugged in any leaks, add antifreeze to your boat’s system.
  • Next, open the faucet physically farthest from the tank and wait for the antifreeze to come out. Then close it up again until all have had antifreeze coming through.

If you have a water heater on your boat, be sure that both hot and cold faucets draw antifreeze through it. In some cases, this may not always work in bypassing the unit so drain separately if necessary.

You’ll also want to pump out your holding tanks and ensure the antifreeze flows through them. If you have a portable MSD, be sure that it’s removed from the boat so as not to have any surprises waiting for next spring!

There are a few important notes you should know about winterizing your boat. The hull and deck of the vessel can make or break its performance, so be sure to protect them with some preventive measures this season:

  • To give your boat a fresh new look for the year’s end, clean both the hull and deck thoroughly. Gently scrubbing away any dirt or growth accumulated throughout this season will surely make it shine.
  • Identify cracks or other damage to the hull and deck, then make repairs as necessary.
  • Keep the outside looking good by applying a fresh coat of wax to protect it from dirt and water.
  • When storing your boat on a trailer, it’s important to ensure the wheels are tightened and that there aren’t any cracks in them.
  • Lastly, check your lights and tires to be sure they are in good working order.
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Choose Ignition Marine for Your Boat Winterization and Pre-season Preparation!

Ignition Marine is the best choice for your boat winterization and pre-season preparation needs. We are a full-service marine service provider with a fully equipped service department with qualified marine mechanics on staff.   

Contact us today to learn more about our services! 

Other Marine Services

Ignition is a one-stop boat repair shop that provides various levels of quality marine mechanical, electrical, and structural repair for all boats: pleasure boats, fishing boats, and yachts of any size, brand, and type at an industry-competitive price serving all clients and boaters in Lower Mainland, BC.

These include general and boat-specific technical services that help upkeep the boat for clients. 

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Marine Electrical Services

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