Winter boat maintenance: Why it's crucial and what the service includes

Winter boat maintenance is not just a tradition but a necessity for preserving your vessel, protecting your investment, and reducing long-term costs. The winter period brings numerous challenges for vessels left in the water. Salt and water accelerate corrosion (stop corrosion & wear), and prolonged exposure to adverse weather conditions damages engines and electrical systems. Additionally, many insurers require boats to be hauled out and properly maintained during winter to meet insurance conditions. Therefore, it's important to properly prepare every vessel to prevent breakdowns and costly repairs during the season.

In the Croatia Yachting base in Seget Donji, under the expert guidance of base manager Grgo Jadrić, winter works on boats represent a detailed and precise process tailored to the specific needs of each vessel.

As Grgo Jadrić stresses: "It's very important for the engine to be in a dry environment and for all metal parts to be coated to repel moisture, salt, and other harmful factors. With regular maintenance, we extend the lifespan of all components and prevent costly sudden expenses during the season. Once the boat sets sail, solving all problems is very difficult and expensive at sea."

"The boat is hauled out onto dry land exclusively for servicing the underwater hull section. It's very important to do this every year due to inspection and maintenance of valves and propulsion systems that are susceptible to corrosion and galvanic currents," Jadrić emphasizes.

Why haul the boat out in winter?

• Corrosion and Galvanic Currents: Saltwater turns different metals on the boat—screws, valves, propellers—into an electric battery. Galvanic currents destroy the propulsion and hull non-stop, and in winter without supervision, the damage escalates. Result? Leaking valves, irreparable engines, and repair bills exceeding several thousand euros.

• Hull Damage

  Algae and barnacles accumulate kilogram per square meter of hull during prolonged mooring. Resistance increases by 20%, fuel consumption rises, and the hull rots from the inside. Without cleaning, a small crack becomes a hole…

• Moisture and Mold

  Temperatures drop, condensation drips down the walls, mattresses rot, textiles mold. Air humidity in winter reaches 90%, creating a perfect breeding ground for fungi that destroy equipment and scare off guests. Enter the cabin in spring? You'll be greeted by not exactly pleasant smells.

• Engine in a Trap

  Water residues in cooling systems freeze, expand, and crack engine blocks. Without draining and antifreeze, one cold wave and the repair costs half the engine price. In winter in the water, corrosion further eats the interior, leaving you with a breakdown in the middle of your first sail.

• Sinking and Break-Ins

  Open cockpits fill with rain and snow, clogged drains don't let water out—the boat sinks quietly overnight. Break-ins on empty yachts? Electronics disappear, locks break. Snow buildup on the roof presses the structure to breaking point.

What Does Winter Maintenance at Croatia Yachting Include?

At Croatia Yachting, winter maintenance is not just pulling the boat out of the sea but a set of detailed actions ensuring the vessel remains protected throughout the entire winter and ready for the new season. Here are the key segments of the winter service:

• Service of the Underwater Hull Section

  "By hauling out onto dry land, we inspect and service valves, propulsion systems, and remove corrosion and galvanic currents that threaten the hull," Jadrić explains. The underwater hull is cleaned, polished, any damage is repaired, and an anti-fouling coating is applied to prevent settling of algae and other marine organisms.

•  Engine and Propulsion Systems

  Engines are not conserved passively but thoroughly serviced—oil is changed, filters cleaned, the engine washed and degreased, and individual components painted and protected from corrosion as needed. Every engine must be placed in a dry space, and all metal parts protected with coatings that repel moisture, salt, and dirt. "It's important for the engine to be protected because this ensures its durability and reliability during sailing," Jadrić says.

• Preparation of Sails and Canvas

  Every sail and canvas is thoroughly desalinated to prevent peeling and material degradation, and the complete equipment is sent for regular service. Wooden boat parts are removed and varnished to protect them from moisture during the winter period, significantly extending their lifespan.

• Ventilation and Interior Cleaning

  Boats are prone to moisture and fungal growth during winter, so regular ventilation is essential. All bedding, mattresses, and pillows go for washing and storage, while moisture absorbers are placed in cabins and bilges are cleaned to prevent unpleasant odors and damage.

• Electrical Systems and Safety Equipment

  All batteries are tested and charged or replaced as needed, exposed contacts are refreshed, and electric motors are cleaned and serviced. Safety equipment is regularly checked and maintained in accordance with prescribed intervals.

• Vessel Protection

  Unlike private motorboats, charter sailboats do not use shrink wrap or covering; instead, external devices are removed or additionally protected as needed.

Why Is This Important for Owners and Charter Companies?

With regular maintenance, owners at Croatia Yachting ensure boats are in top condition, ready for the sea, and free from costly unforeseen repairs.

"We advise against installing complicated systems and equipment that are hard to maintain and do not contribute to the boat's value and ease of use," Jadrić notes.

Charter boats must primarily be simple for guests and easy to maintain in the base, which is key to business success.

Investment in regular winter maintenance means fewer breakdowns, greater safety, and a longer vessel lifespan. Because, as Jadrić says, once the boat heads to sea, problems are hard and expensive to solve without stopping and additional costs.