Onboard Living & Hull
Winterisation
End-of-season lay-up that protects your engine, plumbing, and onboard systems through frost, damp, and downtime, so the boat is ready to start cleanly in spring.
Overview
Winterisation is cheaper than a frost-cracked engine.
A single hard frost can split a raw water side, crack an exchanger, or burst plumbing. None of that is dramatic at the time. You only see it when you try to start the engine in March and water is on the cabin sole.
We work through a proper winterisation checklist on every visit, so nothing gets forgotten. Engine flushed and antifreeze pulled through, fuel system stabilised, batteries set up for the lay-up, fresh water drained or treated, heads flushed, and the boat sealed up against damp.
If your boat lives in the water through winter, the checklist is different to one that gets lifted out. Either way, the aim is the same: zero nasty surprises at recommissioning.
What's included
Standard winterisation checklist.
- Engine: oil and filter change, raw water flushed, antifreeze pulled through to the exchanger
- Fuel: tank topped or drained per spec, fuel stabiliser added, primary filter checked
- Batteries: charged, isolated, and put on a maintenance regime if shore power is available
- Fresh water: drained throughout, or treated with non-toxic antifreeze where draining is not possible
- Calorifier and pump: drained, valves left in safe positions
- Heads and holding tank: flushed, treated, and pump-out as needed
- Bilges: dry, with a working pump and a clean float switch
- Boat sealed against damp, with vents open enough to keep air moving
Process
How a winterisation visit runs.
Book the slot
Aim for after your last trip and before the first hard frost. Earlier is better than later.
Walk-round
Quick check of any seasonal niggles you want addressed alongside the lay-up.
Lay-up
Full checklist worked through, with the boat-specific extras agreed at the walk-round.
Lock up and report
Boat sealed, batteries set, and a written summary of what was done and what is left for spring.
City & Guilds qualified
Properly trained marine engineering, not handyman improvisation.
Mobile to your mooring
Work happens at your boat wherever possible, saving time and hassle.
Breakdown callouts
Stuck on the water? Get in touch and a callout can be arranged.
Fully insured
Public liability cover in place for every job, on every boat.
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Book winterisation for your boat.
Tell Oli about your boat and what you need. Quotes are honest, the work is done at your mooring, and the schedule is yours to choose.