First, be sure to check out tips from the experts at BoatUS: Tips from Experts at BoatUS: 10 Tips to Keep Your Boat Safe this Winter | BoatUS
Please always remember to regularly check your shore power for signs of corrosion. If your shore power is hot, it is likely corrosion is causing arcing. Address this issue immediately to avoid a serious fire hazard.
Here are some additional tips from your neighbors, starting from tips and tricks on keeping warm on a boat in the winter to the how and why of staying safe on the docks in winter.
Thank you to everyone who contributed.
Zone heating:
Rather than try to heat the whole boat all the time (and pay for all that electricity), Try to heat what is needed when it’s needed.
*A heater with a timer in the salon allows a break for a few hours while sleeping and turns back on an hour or two before you’re up.
*In the winter, hang a curtain between the bedroom and living space to close an hour or two before bed and turn on a heater in the bedroom.
* A mattress heater or electric blanket on the bed turned on 30-60 minutes before bedtime makes for a nice warm end of the day.
*A small heater turned on in the bathroom 15-20 minutes before a shower makes the world of difference, especially when conserving water by taking “navy showers” to stretch your water tank capacity.
*Clear plastic on the inside of windows to cut down on drafts.
*Energy efficient blinds help keep heat inside, but be sure to raise them to take advantage of sunlight and its greenhouse effect is important too.
*A small container of sand inside your boat near the entrance. While there may be sand on the docks, you won’t want to fall on ice on your decks or finger pier.
Winter Personal Safety Tips:
o AVOID falling in the water! Cold water kills quickly.
o Have one hand free for yourself as you board the boat – Try to avoid combining the acts of getting yourself on board and bringing things onboard if at all possible. Place objects on the boat, get on, then move the objects onward. Better yet, hand them up to someone else.
o Shovel or sweep steps clean of ice and snow before walking on outdoor surfaces
o Avoid walking on snow if possible. Compressed snow will often turn to ice. Attempt to shovel snow instead.
o Only use sand on ice on the docks and your boat. Salt is not good for either boats or concrete docks and is forbidden in our marina
o Carry a whistle on a lanyard, perhaps along with your gate key
o Carry a cell phone in a water-resistant case with a lanyard
o Wear appropriate shoes
o Be prepared to help save a neighbor from the water – locate and be prepared to use the lines, floatation, ladders, and platforms on the docks
o Locate ladders, swim platforms, and safety equipment near where you walk every day – that’s how you’ll get out of the water (or help a neighbor get out) when needed.
