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Top tips for winterising your narrowboat


We’ve got to that time of year when the temperatures start to drop dramatically and the country’s obsession with grit supplies takes hold. Summer cruising is well and truly over and for those of you who own boats on Britain’s canals and rivers it’s time to think about winterising your boat.

If you live aboard or are planning to take your boat out regularly please read our tips for safe winter boating. However, if you’re going to leave your boat unattended for any period of time you will need to take steps to protect it from the damaging effects of winter.

Inside the boat

The last thing you want when you return to your boat after the winter season are smelly, mouldy furnishings. Over the winter period you should consider moving any soft furnishings to a warm and dry environment.

Alternatively you could buy a dehumidifier and set it up on a timer to operate for two hours each day. It’s a good idea to compliment this with a heater, set to switch on if the temperature dips beneath 4°c.

Consider using a tubular greenhouse heater as there are no moving parts. This type of heater is perfect for extended use as it has little chance of failure.

If you have an enclosed space (under your bed for example) you can avoid ‘mustiness’ by wiring in a very small fan. It will use very little power and works wonders.

The engine

The best protection for the engine is to change the oil and service the engine before storage, this way all the filters are clean, water has been removed and corrosive elements that build up inside the engine are washed away.

As part of the service the strength of the engine antifreeze should be tested and topped up or discarded if less than fifty per cent. The next step is to run an antifreeze solution through the raw water cooling circuit on the engine. This will prevent freezing and also prevent corrosion by preventing air reaching internal components on the engine. Once this is done the water pump impellor can be removed and the drive belts slackened to prevent setting over the winter.

Although this advice covers water cooled engines, which have their own reservoir, it doesn’t cover those that use sea strainers and drag the water from the canal as a coolant. With these types of engine you will need to close all stop cocks and drain the systems.

It is a good idea to place an oily rag in the exhaust outlet and to cover the air inlet to the engine, this stops the air moving through the engine and causing corrosion of the valve gear. Finally give the engine a good spray with WD-40 paying particular attention to the electrical components and wiring - this will keep the damp away and prevent bad connections in the spring.

Plumbing

Water pumps should be disconnected and run dry to remove any traces of water. Water tanks and calorifiers and pipe work should be emptied.

Leave the taps in the open position. It’s also a good idea to ensure the shower is drained and shower head removed, with the valves left open.

Electrical

Batteries should be fully charged and ideally left on a float charge from a purpose built marine battery charger; if this is not possible then check their charge every month and top up when required. Ensure the electrolyte level is correct and battery terminals are free from corrosion.

Exterior

If you are moored on the main line where there is a greater chance of craft passing by when the cut is frozen, you can drop planks of wood from ropes into the water to run alongside your hull. The ice then freezes against the wood and not your hull so when people start ice breaking to get to the water points your craft is protected to some extent from the pressure.

If you have any tips about winterising your narrow boat please share them with us and add them to the comments below.

Last updated: 01/11/2011

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