Patching Up & Storing Your Pontoon for the Winter
Because you may not be out on the water during the colder months (or maybe you are!), this is an ideal time to make adjustments and repairs to boats at the Lake of the Ozarks. Here at Augello’s Welding, we specialize in custom metal fabrication at the Lake of the Ozarks, but what you may not know is that we also perform pontoon boat repairs. Before you put your boat away permanently for storage, here are a few things you need to know about welding repairs, along with a few tips for storage.
If you have a leaky triton or pontoon, or even a broken keg or bimini - welding can help here, too. For all metal boat repairs at the Lake of the Ozarks, Augello Welding is here for you. From large to small repairs, we can handle most projects. We work with many materials including:
1. Run Your Boat One Last Time
This is a great time to listen for issues in the engine, look for cracks in the hull, and make sure everything is working properly.
2. Drain Your Boat
After you remove it from the water, drain the bilge and water tanks. You can also add antifreeze to the bilge and water tanks to prevent freezing. Water and metal do not play well together, so whatever you can do to minimize the contact - it will help!
3. Clean Your Boat
Make sure it’s thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned from the hull to the interior. Check all of the drawers, lockers, refrigerators, and freezers, as well - if you don’t find the crumbs, the mice will!
4. Winterize the Engine
Flush the engine with clean water to remove dirt and corrosion, and then refill the coolant system with antifreeze. Run the engine for about 15 minutes to make sure that the additives reach the fuel lines, and refer to your owners manual before using any products.
5. Lubricate Moving Parts
The steering system should be greased, as well as the control mechanisms. You can also detach the propeller and inspect it for fishing line and seal damages. Lubricate it and then return it back to its position.
6. Charge the Battery
You’ll want to take out the battery completely and charge it. Clean the terminals and lightly coat them with grease. Do the same for the battery cable ends. Store it in a warm, dry place, it won’t go back into your boat until spring.
7. Remove Sensitive Materials
If it isn’t attached to the boat, you should remove and store it. If it isn’t attached but should be - give us a call ;).
But seriously, life jackets, fire extinguishers, and flares can be stored away. If you have organic materials in your boat like fabric or leather, have them removed and stored to prevent mildew deposits. You’ll also want to remove electronics since they are easily damaged from extreme cold.
8. Seal Exhaust Ports
If your boat has exhaust ports, seal them up with duct tape to keep pests from coming in and clogging them.
9. Cover and Store Your Boat
It’s important to invest in a really good cover. You can also look into shrink wrapping your boat if you want to provide additional protection.
10. Check On It Regularly
You can’t just forget about your boat after it’s winterized. You’ll want to check it over for pooled water where it shouldn’t be. You can also check the battery to make sure it’s still charged, and stand in your boat dreaming of the days when you can take it back out ;).
Not winterizing your boat? The Lake of the Ozarks is a unique place, not all boaters store their ship for the winter. With moderate winter temps (sometimes), and great winter fishing, many people choose to keep theirs out. You’ll still have to make sure that pieces are repaired, and regular maintenance is performed - we can help! If a piece breaks off - Augello’s Welding can weld it back on.
Pontoon Repairs at the Lake of the Ozarks
If you have a metal boat part that needs to be replaced, did you know that we can weld it back on? Give us a call and we’ll talk about the repair, some are trickier than others, but many times we can get it working like new in no time.If you have a leaky triton or pontoon, or even a broken keg or bimini - welding can help here, too. For all metal boat repairs at the Lake of the Ozarks, Augello Welding is here for you. From large to small repairs, we can handle most projects. We work with many materials including:
- Stainless Steel
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Bronze
- and castings
Tips for Storing Your Boat for the Winter
You may have already put your boat into storage, but if you missed a step, it’s not too late to pull it out and take a look. Plus, if you haven’t repaired some broken pieces yet, now is a great time to bring it over and let us fix them up. We’ll have you ready for spring before spring even shows up!1. Run Your Boat One Last Time
This is a great time to listen for issues in the engine, look for cracks in the hull, and make sure everything is working properly.
2. Drain Your BoatAfter you remove it from the water, drain the bilge and water tanks. You can also add antifreeze to the bilge and water tanks to prevent freezing. Water and metal do not play well together, so whatever you can do to minimize the contact - it will help!
3. Clean Your Boat
Make sure it’s thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned from the hull to the interior. Check all of the drawers, lockers, refrigerators, and freezers, as well - if you don’t find the crumbs, the mice will!
4. Winterize the Engine
Flush the engine with clean water to remove dirt and corrosion, and then refill the coolant system with antifreeze. Run the engine for about 15 minutes to make sure that the additives reach the fuel lines, and refer to your owners manual before using any products.
5. Lubricate Moving Parts
The steering system should be greased, as well as the control mechanisms. You can also detach the propeller and inspect it for fishing line and seal damages. Lubricate it and then return it back to its position.
6. Charge the Battery
You’ll want to take out the battery completely and charge it. Clean the terminals and lightly coat them with grease. Do the same for the battery cable ends. Store it in a warm, dry place, it won’t go back into your boat until spring.
7. Remove Sensitive Materials
If it isn’t attached to the boat, you should remove and store it. If it isn’t attached but should be - give us a call ;).
But seriously, life jackets, fire extinguishers, and flares can be stored away. If you have organic materials in your boat like fabric or leather, have them removed and stored to prevent mildew deposits. You’ll also want to remove electronics since they are easily damaged from extreme cold.
8. Seal Exhaust Ports
If your boat has exhaust ports, seal them up with duct tape to keep pests from coming in and clogging them.
9. Cover and Store Your Boat
It’s important to invest in a really good cover. You can also look into shrink wrapping your boat if you want to provide additional protection.
10. Check On It Regularly
You can’t just forget about your boat after it’s winterized. You’ll want to check it over for pooled water where it shouldn’t be. You can also check the battery to make sure it’s still charged, and stand in your boat dreaming of the days when you can take it back out ;).
Not winterizing your boat? The Lake of the Ozarks is a unique place, not all boaters store their ship for the winter. With moderate winter temps (sometimes), and great winter fishing, many people choose to keep theirs out. You’ll still have to make sure that pieces are repaired, and regular maintenance is performed - we can help! If a piece breaks off - Augello’s Welding can weld it back on.
Your Lake of the Ozark’s Welder & Place for All Things Custom!
Office Phone: (573) 207-0285
Cell Phone: (573) 286-9135
AugellosWelding@gmail.com
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