How to Winterize a Canoe

When you prepare your house and car for the winter, don't forget the canoe. The boat that brought you hours of paddling fun during the summer needs the same kind of care and attention as your car if it's going to work well for you again. Luckily, winterizing a canoe is simple. Just follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Hull protectant
• Fine steel wool or sandpaper
• Penetrating oil

1. Clean your canoe so that it is free of mud and debris.
2. Dry out your canoe. If your boat contains excess moisture when freezing temperatures hit, the expanding and contracting can lead to cracks in the hull. Plan to dry out the inside by setting the canoe upright in the sun for a day before winter. On another sunny day, turn the canoe over and set it on some type of support, such as sawhorses. Allow it to dry out for another day.
3. Apply a coat of hull protectant to protect the boat from the sun's UV rays and tree sap.
4. Sand any wood trim with fine sandpaper or steel wool. Wipe off the trim before rubbing in a layer of penetrating oil.
5. Store your canoe indoors during winter if possible and off the ground. Do not set things on top of it.
6. Find the best location if you must store your canoe outside. You don't want a boat in a location where excessive snow or ice can reach it. Store it upside down, but not directly on the ground, which can cause tips to rot.
7. Cover your canoe with a tarp or canoe cover that allows the inside of the hull to breathe.

Tips & Warnings

• Royalex canoes contract and expand more than regular wood canoes. See manufacturer's tips for winterizing.