The Ultimate Guide to Manitoba Fall Boat Maintenance

If there's one thing that boat owners in Winnipeg should know, it's how to take care of their boat in the fall so that it gets through the winter and is ready for the spring. Fall in Canada might be beautiful, but Canadian winters are typically harsh, so a good rule of thumb for boaters is to start putting the boat up for the season once the Jets play their first regular season game.

Before we get to October, however, there's plenty of work that boat owners in Manitoba need to do to keep their boats in good condition. Here are a few boat maintenance tips you should take care of before the temperature starts heading for single digits.

Clean and Store Personal Items

This tip applies to all types of boat owners, whether you're into recreational boat usage or you're a family of anglers. As the temperature starts to drop, you'll see less usage for things such as towels, coolers, rods and tackle boxes. The best thing to do is clean these items and get them in storage away from your boat.

Removing the least essential items first will make it easier to get everything off the boat a little at a time. You definitely shouldn't go boating without proper boat safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers or lifejackets. But you could move non-essential electronics to storage in August and September. There's no reason to wait until the end of boating season to store items safely.

Wash And Dry Your Boat

After you know you've sailed for the last time in 2024, make sure to give your boat a complete cleaning. This is especially true if you've sailed on the saltwater of Hudson Bay by Ontario and Quebec, but even if your marine experiences have exclusively been in freshwater rivers in Manitoba, you'll still need to thoroughly wash your boat to minimize the risk of corrosion and mildew.

During the washing process, you might want to use a specific mildew cleaner, paying special attention to the upholstery and any surfaces that might be damaged or cracked.

Examine Hoses and Schedule Services

While you're getting your boat ready in the fall, you need to make sure that your hoses are in good working order. A simple visual inspection in the fall can help you prevent costly repairs down the road. If you notice a hose that is bulged, cracked, corroded, spongy or otherwise not in proper shape, you need to replace it.

It's also a good idea to have an expert take a look at the boat's engine. You might be able to DIY this step if you're genuinely knowledgeable about boat engines, but most angling enthusiasts know more about fishing than engine repair. A full inspection will include a look at electrical systems, fuel lines and more so that your watercraft is ready for winter storage.

By taking a few minutes in the fall to ensure proper boat maintenance in Manitoba, you'll keep your boat in top working order for many seasons to come.