Before the first hard frost
Boat winterization
One frozen night with water in the block can crack an engine. Winterizing pushes the water out of everything that holds it, protects the fuel and fogs the cylinders. We arrange it with the storage, or tell you which yards let you do it yourself.
- Outboards
- Sterndrives
- Inboards and diesels
- Water and heads
What gets done
| System | Typical winterizing work |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Stabilizer added, tank topped up to limit condensation, run through the engine |
| Engine | Raw water drained or replaced with antifreeze, cylinders fogged, oil and filter changed (inboards) |
| Lower unit / drive | Gear oil changed, checked for water, bellows inspected on sterndrives |
| Fresh water | Tanks drained, pump and lines blown out or filled with non-toxic antifreeze |
| Head and holding | Pumped out, flushed, antifreeze in the lines |
| Batteries | Charged and disconnected, or removed to a charger |
| Hull and bilge | Bilge dry, drain plug out, seacocks closed or open per yard rules |
A shop quote should list each item. Ask what is included in a "basic" price before booking.
Winterizing prices
| Item | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Winterizing, outboard | from $250 |
| Winterizing, sterndrive | from $400 |
| Winterizing, inboard | from $500 |
| Winterizing, PWC | from $200 |
Starting prices in CAD before tax, from published marina and port rates and market estimates, October 2026. Your boat, the yard and the dates set the final price.
Doing it yourself
A single outboard is a reasonable DIY job: stabilizer, run, fog, gear oil and grease. Inboards and boats with fresh water, heads and generators are where professional work pays off.
If you plan to do your own winterizing, say so in the request. Some yards require their own technicians for engine work.
Winterizing questions
Do I need to winterize if I store indoors?
Yes, unless the building is heated and the yard says otherwise. Cold buildings get as cold as outdoors.
When should I winterize?
Before the first night below freezing. In southern Ontario that is usually mid-to-late October; in the north, earlier.
Is winterizing required by insurance?
Many policies exclude freeze damage if the boat was not properly winterized. Check your policy. See boat insurance and winter storage.
Tell us about your boat. We find the spot.
Storage type, LOA, region and season. We check what is open near you and reply by email with options and prices.