As Michiganders, we are used to cold and ice…brrrr…feeling it already!  The coldness won’t harm the hull, it’s made of durable polyethylene so it won’t become brittle like other materials exposed to the elements.  Even so, there are things to do to ensure your boat is protected.  The first thing is to take it out of the water if you know it will freeze.  There are all sorts of reasons to do this including damage ice can do the pedal drive system, protecting the seats and other manufactured parts from snow, ice, sleet, etc. and stopping the hull from becoming misshapen by moving ice flows.  These are also good reasons to keep it covered.  If you leave it outdoors, use a support to keep the cover well above the windshield to protect it from the weight of snow accumulation.

• ENCORE
  • Raise the bow end of the boat; set it on a large block of Styrofoam (12″ x 12″ x 12″)which is placed somewhere between the bow and the front compartment.  This will allow water within the channels and the drive shafts to run out.
  •  Remove the drain plugs to allow any water which may have accumulated within the hull to drain out.  There shouldn’t be much, if any.  MAKE SURE TO REPLACE THE DRAIN PLUGS AFTER THIS PROCESS!
  • Remove the battery if it has one.  Store it in a garage or something like it, off of the concrete.  You can put it on a trickle charger periodically during the cold season to protect it from becoming too depleted.

  Contact Nauticraft by email or phone at (888) 709-7097 with any specific questions you may have concerning this subject.