Posted on 12/19/2025
Cooler mornings, shorter days, and emptier marinas are all signs that boating season is winding down. Even in a place that feels as mild as Southern California, winter is when small issues have months to get worse while the boat sits. A simple checklist now can keep corrosion, dead batteries, and mystery leaks from greeting you on the first warm weekend of spring. Think of winter prep as protecting your time on the water, not just your hardware. Why Winter Prep Matters Even in Mild Climates It is easy to look at our weather and assume winterizing is only for boats that face ice and snow. The truth is, long periods of sitting unused are tough on any boat, especially around saltwater. Fuel can go stale, batteries slowly discharge, and small leaks turn into real damage when no one is aboard to spot them. Salt in fittings and hardware keeps working while the boat is tied up. Moist air sneaks into cabins and lockers and quietly feeds mold. When we help owners with winte ... read more