The Skipper’s Guide gives some useful tips on preparing your boat or yacht for cold winter weather.

In the winter months around the UK, messing about on the river, boating and yachts are probably best kept for warmer times. At the Skipper's Guide we know it is tempting to lock up and go..

If you want to return to your pride and joy in the spring then some basic precautions to protect against the colder weather should pay dividends and allow you to get going again quickly and without any big repair bills. The Skipper’s Guide spoke to the local Boatshedkent broker and here is what we came up with.

'I know what its like, just when it starts to get cold, the last thing you really want to do is some work or jobs. ‘Put it off’ until March/April I always hear! However, these are important issues and I think a bit of time and effort now can get you afloat quicker at the beginning of the season. Here are a list of Skipper’s Guide issues and reminders that you might like to check if your boat is out of the water this year:

1. Ensure the raw water cooling system is drained down and the impellor is removed. This will reduce the risk of the cooling hoses splitting and will prolong the life of the impellor.

2. Try to ensure that the fuel tanks are filled especially diesels as this will reduce the risk of water contamination and fuelbugs.

3. Fresh water systems and tanks should be drained down to reduce the risk of freezing waters splitting the tanks and pipework.

4. If the batteries are being left on the boat and being trickle charged make sure the levels are topped up so that the batteries don’t dry out and buckle the plates. If possible take the batteries off the boat and keep them in the garage this Winter where they can be checked more easily.

5. If possible fit an inexpensive tube heater in the engine bay and in the accommodation space which will help prevent freezing. If electricity is not available an old blanket can be used to wrap around the engine to keep the temperature up.

6. If possible change the oil before the vessel is laid up. This will prevent contaminates in the oil such as moisture being left on the internal engine parts thus reducing the risk of corrosion and wear.

7. Cushions should ideally be taken home but if this is not possible lift them enough to ensure that condensation cannot gather underneath and air can circulate more freely.

8. If using condensation traps place them in areas where, if they overfill, they will not damage upholstery or internal linings.

9. Try to ensure that the canopy is well supported so water cannot gather and stretch or rip the materal. You can use Vaseline on canopy clips and lip balm on zips which will prevent the clips from corroding and reduce the risk of zips seizing.

10. Try to ensure that bilges are left dry. This will reduce the risk of freezing water damaging your boat.

11. Remove sails. Over the Winter months they never get time to dry and algae will start to build up attacking the stitching and causing corrosion in the eyes.

12. Secure the rigging with shock cord or bungee reducing the movement from the wind and thus reducing wear in the rigging.

It's not an exhaustive list but at the Skipper's Guide we think it is a good start.

Thanks to Boatshedkent for these helpful tips.