Putting Your Boat into Winter Hibernation
All good things must eventually come to an end. At the end of each New Hampshire summer, there will come a time for those of us who boat to conclude our boating season. Then comes the inevitable ritual of closing camp and putting the boat into hibernation.
By implementing the lake-friendly boat cleaning and engine winterization suggestions below, you can help keep our lakes clean and healthy while putting your boat to sleep until next year’s boating season.
Lake-Friendly Boat Cleaning
Despite New Hampshire’s lakes being some of the cleanest in the nation, your boat’s hull has likely accumulated a layer of slime on it. Did you know that whether you or your marina washes the boat, it is illegal to discharge boat wash water directly into surface waters or groundwater (unless your marina has a groundwater discharge permit)?
If you clean your boat yourself, here’s how you can protect the environment:
- Remove the boat from the water, even if you only clean the deck areas. Use a homemade natural spray wash that does not require a water rinse. You can make a phosphate and toxic-free wash by mixing water with baking soda, borax, or lemon or lime juice.
- Remove the spray wash with a sponge or mop. Squeeze the polluted wastewater from the sponge or mop into a bucket and then dump the bucket into your household wastewater treatment system, Do not dump the water directly into the lake or onto the ground.
Lake-Friendly Engine Winterization
Did you know that antifreeze usually does not need to be left in your boat engine during the winter? As long as all the water is drained out of the engine, there is very little chance it will crack when exposed to freezing temperatures.
According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the preferred method for engine winterization is as follows:
- Use propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol antifreeze and flush these fluids into a container before launching in the spring.
- Flush the engine with antifreeze. If you have to remove the antifreeze by using the bilge, you will need to clean the bilge afterward using a bilge sock—you can purchase one at your local marina or online.
If your local marina winterizes your boat, ask them to follow the method described above.
Cleaning your boat and wintering the engine are simple things that can be done at home in an inexpensive and environmentally responsible way.
by Ale Consulting