How Much It Costs to Winterize a Boat (From 20+ Quotes)

On this page:

1. The Total Cost of Winterizing Your Boat
2. What Needs to Be Done
3. Examples of Winterization Costs for 4 Different Boats

The Total Cost of Winterizing Your Boat

Winterizing literally means getting your boat ready for winter. There are a couple of moving parts here. I'll explore the different steps briefly, but I won't go into detail in this article.

Here's a quick overview of the average winterization costs:

• Basic winterization: $150 - boat stays in water
• Winterization for larger boats: $500 to $1,000 - systems get drained
• All-in winterization: $1,000 to $3,000 - includes dry storage

First, we need to know what the different steps of boat winterization are. Winterizing consists of a couple of major expenses.

Step	DIY	Indie	Marina
Winterizing engine	$50 - $200	$150 - $400	$200 - $600
Winterizing systems	$50 - $200	$200 - $500	$300 - $800
Haul-out and storage	$100 - $500	$500 - $1,500	$1,000 - $3,000
Total	$200 - $900	$850 - $2,400	$1,500 - $4,400

The most important winterizing expenses are:

• Engine winterizing - essential - best for most people
• System winterization - neccessary for larger boats, cruising sailboats, for example
• Haul-out and storage - optional
• Detailing - optional

Various materials are needed to properly winterize your boat, including antifreeze, engine oil, and possible boat covers, shrink wrap, or tarps for protection. The type of materials chosen will directly impact the total cost. For example, engine oil changes can range between $50 and $100 depending on the size of your boat's engine.

Winterizing the engine

This step consists mainly of draining the motor cooling system and putting antifreeze in, changing the oil and filters, and so on. But also putting a fuel stabilizer in the fuel tank and sealing fuel valves. Below are the average dealer prices:

Type	Size	Average Cost
Outboard	Under 30HP	$100 - $200
	Over 30HP	$150 - $300
Inboard / Outboard	4 cylinder	$250 - $500
	6 cylinder and up	$400 - $800
Inboard		$400 - $800

Here's how to winterize an outboard motor and an inboard motor and how much they cost.

System winterization

In this step, you winterize, for example, your fresh water system, and balast system. They need to be drained as well.

System	Average Cost
Fresh water system	$75 - $150
Balast system	$100 - $200
Heater / AC	$100 - $200

Engine winterization

On average, professional mechanics may charge around $150 for this service. However, if you decide to do it yourself, the cost can be significantly lower, ranging between $50 and $100 for an oil change, depending on the size of your engine. Remember to also fog the engine's interior, as it helps protect its internal parts during storage.

Plumbing winterization

Draining the water systems, including freshwater tanks, water heater, and pipes, is necessary to prevent damage caused by freezing temperatures. Depending on the complexity of your boat's plumbing system, costs can fluctuate, but the average cost for winterizing through a professional service ranges from $300 to $400. If you choose to perform this task yourself, you can significantly cut down the expenses, with an estimated DIY cost between $70 and $150.

Interior winterization

Proper cleaning, ventilation, and moisture control are essential to prevent mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors. Prices for interior winterization can vary depending on the boat's size and the extent of service required. A good practice is to remove cushions, personal belongings, and any perishable items. Additionally, invest in quality boat covers and consider using moisture control products to keep humidity levels in check.

Haul-out and storage

This only applies if you want to get your boat out of the water. This is a major expense.

Winterizing sailboats

Type of storage	Boat Length	Average Cost
Inside Cold Storage	under 24'	$500 - $1,500 per season
	over 24'	$1,500 - $3,000 per season
Inside Heated Storage	under 24'	$1,000 - $2,500 per season
	over 24'	$2,500 - $5,000 per season
Shrink Wrap Storage	under 24'	$300 - $800 per season
	over 24'	$800 - $2,000 per season

Shrink wrapping a boat costs between $12 - $25 per foot on average.

Also read:

How to Winterize Your Sailboat in 4-6 Hours

Winterizing motorboats

Type of storage	Boat Length	Average Cost
Inside Cold Storage	under 24'	$500 - $1,500 per season
	over 24'	$1,500 - $3,000 per season
Inside Heated Storage	under 24'	$1,000 - $2,500 per season
	over 24'	$2,500 - $5,000 per season
Shrink Wrap Storage	under 24'	$300 - $800 per season
	over 24'	$800 - $2,000 per season
	Pontoons	$500 - $1,500 per season

Also read:

The Complete Guide to Boat Winter Storage Cost

Detailing

This step is optional as well. Prices are generally per foot. You can choose from a wide range of detailing jobs.

Job	Average Cost / ft
Cleaning	$5 - $10
Premium cleaning	$10 - $20
Chemical cleaning	$8 - $15
Wash & Wax	$20 - $30

What Needs to Be Done

Here are the possible expenses when you winterize a boat:

• Haul out

• Draining the engine oil

• Draining the cooling system

• Changing the filters

• Putting in antifreeze

• Storage

• Shrink wrapping the boat

• Balast system (pump out)

• Fresh water system

• Fuel tank - adding fuel stabilizer)

• Motor oil and filter change, fogging carbs, flushing water out of block and manifolds with 100° below, non-toxic, marine anti-freeze

• Wash, wax, and detailing

Also read:

Antifreeze to Winterize Your Boat: What & How Much

Examples of Winterization Costs for 4 Different Boats

Boat Type	Boat Size	DIY	Independent	Yacht Club	Marina
Small motorboat	20 ft	$50 - $200	$200 - $400	$300 - $500	$400 - $600
Sailboat	30 ft	$100 - $300	$300 - $600	$500 - $1,000	$800 - $1,200
Large motorboat	40 ft	$300 - $500	$500 - $1,000	$1,000 - $2,000	$1,500 - $2,500
Yacht	60 ft	$1,000 - $2,000	$2,000 - $5,000	$5,000 - $10,000	$8,000 - $15,000

Winterizing your boat can be a huge expense, but it really all depends on your boat and the way you go about it. You basically have four options:

1. DIY - the cheapest (of course)
2. Independent - small independent marinas can be pretty affordable
3. Yacht Club - offer you a discount, but you have to be a member
4. Marina - the most expensive option, but also the most effortless

Factors that affect the cost

• Your type of boat: Different types of boats have different systems and components that require winterization, and some boats may require more extensive services than others.
• Your boat's size: Larger boats require more materials and labor to winterize, which can increase the overall cost.
• Location (where you winterize): Prices can vary depending on the local market and the cost of living in the area.
• Level of service (how much work you let do): Basic winterization services may be less expensive, while more extensive services can be more costly.

If you're wondering how long it takes to winterize your boat, here's the answer.

Budget winterization

Budget winterization typically involves the basic services required to protect your boat during the winter months. This may include draining the water from the engine, water system, and fuel system, adding antifreeze to the systems, and performing other necessary maintenance tasks. The cost of budget winterization can range from $200 to $500, depending on the size of the boat and the specific services required.

In addition to winterizing the engine and fuel system, you might want to consider making a DIY frame for your boat winter cover, which can help extend the life of the cover, provide support, and prevent damage. It costs around $50–400, depending on the material you use.

To winterize your boat yourself, you'll need to gather some essential tools and materials, including proper marine antifreeze, a fogging oil spray, fuel stabilizer, and basic hand tools. Depending on your boat, additional supplies like oil filters, engine oil, and a tarp for covering may also be needed.

All in winterization of large yacht

All-in winterization for a large yacht typically includes all of the services required to protect the boat during the winter months, as well as storage for the boat during the winter. This may include draining the water from the engine, water system, and fuel system, adding antifreeze to the systems, and performing other necessary maintenance tasks. The cost of all-in winterization for a large yacht can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size of the yacht and the specific services required.

Average price at marina

The average price for winterization services at a marina can vary depending on the specific services required and the location of the marina. Generally, the cost of winterization services at a marina can range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the size of the boat and the specific services required. It's always best to contact a marina directly for an accurate quote based on the specific needs of your boat.

Marina	Winterization Cost
SBSPickwick Marina in Counce, TN	starts at $275
Lighthouse Harbor Marina in Greentown, PA	starts at $547.60
Buckeye Marine in Bobcaygeon, ON, Canada	starts at $299
Lake Lemon Marina in Unionville, IN	starts at $500
Mark's Leisure Time and Marine in NY	starts at $500
Saylorville Lake Marina in Polk City, IA	starts at $450
Canyon Lake Marina in Canyon Lake, TX	starts at $339
Bruker Marina in BC, Canada	starts at $245
Roaming Rock Marina in Roaming Shores, OH	starts at $483
Mariner's Landing Marina in Cincinnati, OH	starts at $450
Knotty Oar Marina in Prior Lake, MN	starts at $255
Crosstimbers Marina in Sperry, OK	starts at $250
Prince William Marina in Woodbridge, VA	starts at $510
Bluff Creek Marina in Strawn, TX	starts at $250
Coltons Point Marina in Coltons Point, MD	starts at $230
Jayhawk Marina in Paola, KS	starts at $195.00
SWS Muskoka in Ontario, Canada	starts at $675
Snug Harbor Marina in NY	starts at $275
Windmill Marina in Afton, MN	starts at $199
Patona Bay Marina & Resort in Leesburg, IN	starts at $315