In 2020, US boat sales reached a 13-year high, with over 310,000 new powerboats sold! This recreational activity is peaceful, gets you out in nature, and is easy to do while social distancing. It’s no wonder why so many people turned to boating in 2020.
If you’re one of these newcomers, then you might not know too much about maintaining your boat and dock. And it’s probably your first winter as well.
In that case, keep reading to find out more about boat dock maintenance and get some winterizing tips too!
General Boat Dock Maintenance Tips
One of our best boat dock maintenance tips is to clean it often. Because it’s out in nature, it’ll accumulate dirt and debris all the time, so you’ll need to be diligent in cleaning this stuff off.
Pressure washing is best since it has great cleaning power but won’t ruin the integrity of your deck (if done right). If you don’t feel comfortable with pressure washing or don’t have the equipment, you can always hire a professional.
You’ll also want to sand your dock after pressure washing if it’s wooden. And every 5 years or so, you want to get it sealed if you haven’t painted your boat dock.
As for any steel parts on your dock, you’ll have to keep up with sanding, priming, and painting rust spots if they appear.
Make it a point to inspect your boat dock a few times throughout the year. And if you find anything that needs repairing, do it ASAP, as it’s vital to your safety.
Some Boat Dock Winterizing Tips
The steps for winterizing your boat dock will depend on where you live, as well as the type of dock you’re working with. However, here are some general tips you can follow.
If you’ve got a dock that stays permanently, then you’ll need to get an electric tool to de-ice it. If you’re interested, here’s a Powerhouse Ice Eater review. Otherwise, if it doesn’t get that cold where you live, you won’t really have to do anything, as there won’t be any ice to keep away.
A de-icer is a great investment because it not only protects your boat dock, but it can also prevent winter-kill situations where the fish and vegetation die off at your lake.
For those who have a removable dock, you should disassemble it and store it away safely before winter arrives. It’s best if you have a friend help you, as these docks can be heavy. You won’t need to do this if you don’t get ice where you live, but you’ll still have to remove the dock if the lake levels will drop significantly.
Have a Great Time Boating
By maintaining your boat and winterizing your boat dock if needed, you’ll set yourself up to have many more years of safe and pleasant boating.
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