The Definitive Winter Lay-Up Checklist
Forty-two items your captain should tick before the covers go on. Print, laminate, and hand it over.
Winter lay-up is where next season is either saved or squandered. Fluids, seacocks, batteries, and dehumidification form the four pillars of a well-executed decommissioning.
Flush the raw-water circuit with fresh water followed by non-toxic antifreeze. Change engine and gearbox oil while contaminants are suspended. Trickle-charge or remove batteries. Leave hatches propped, bilges bone dry, and a moisture absorber in every compartment.
A thorough hull inspection out of the water is the perfect moment for anti-fouling, anode replacement, and prop-shaft alignment checks — none of which are cheaper to defer.
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