We’ve just hit July, the mornings have got that bite to them, and let’s be honest — the boat’s probably parked up a bit more than usual right now. That’s completely normal. But here’s the thing I tell every customer who walks through the doors this time of year: winter isn’t a reason to ignore your boat, it’s your best chance to get ahead of it.
A bit of care now means when spring rolls around and the fish are biting again, you’re not stuck in my workshop queue with everyone else who left it too late. Here’s what I’d be doing with the quieter months.
✅ 1. Don’t Just Park It — Protect It
If your boat’s sitting for a few weeks (or months) at a time, it needs to be looked after, not just left under a tarp and forgotten.
- Give it a proper wash and dry before covering it — grime and moisture left sitting on the hull over winter is asking for trouble
- Use a decent quality cover, not just a tarp, so air can still get through
- Check under the cover every couple of weeks for any pooling water, mould, or unwanted critters moving in
💡 Pro tip: Grab a bottle of ASSALT — our own boat wash — before you tuck it away for a stretch. Clean now saves you scrubbing later.
✅ 2. Keep the Battery Alive
This is the one people forget every single year, and it’s the one that catches them out every single year. A battery left sitting flat over winter often won’t come good again.
- Hook it up to a proper trickle charger or battery maintainer if the boat’s not moving for a while
- If you can, pull it out and store it somewhere dry
- Give the terminals a clean — a bit of corrosion now means a no-start moment in spring
✅ 3. Don’t Let Fuel Sit and Sour
Fuel that sits untouched for months can go off, and old fuel is one of the most common reasons a motor won’t fire up when you finally want to take it out.
- Add a fuel stabiliser if you know the boat won’t be used for a while
- Try to run the motor every few weeks if you can, even just briefly
- If she’s due a service anyway, winter’s the ideal time to get the fuel system checked over properly
💡 Pro tip: If your boat’s overdue for a service, this is genuinely the best time of year to book it in with us. We do full outboard servicing as well as trailer servicing, so we can knock both over in one visit. We’re not fighting the spring rush right now, so turnaround is quicker and there’s no pressure.
✅ 4. Give the Hull Some Attention
Winter is when a lot of the boats I service get their hull looked at properly, because nobody’s in a rush to get back on the water that same afternoon.
- Check for any blistering, scratches, or wear from the season just gone
- If antifoul is due, now’s the time — no one wants to be doing this the week before the boat show
- Sort out any small gelcoat chips before they turn into bigger repairs
✅ 5. Don’t Forget the Trailer
Your trailer works just as hard as the boat, even when neither of them are moving.
- Check tyre pressure regularly — tyres lose pressure even sitting still, and flat spots are a real thing
- Give bearings and rollers a once-over, especially if the trailer’s been sitting in one spot for a while
- Check the lights and wiring haven’t corroded up from being parked near the coast
💡 Pro tip: We’re a Certified Dunbier Re-Trailer Centre and handle trailer servicing across the board — from a bearing service right through to a full re-trailer. If yours needs anything at all, we’ve got you covered.
✅ 6. Use the Downtime for the Jobs You Keep Putting Off
Every boat owner has that list — the squeaky hatch, the seat that needs re-stitching, the accessory you’ve been meaning to fit. Spring and summer are for being on the water, not sitting in the driveway with tools out. Winter’s the time to get all that sorted so it’s one less thing on your mind when the season kicks off.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t feel like driving in? Our online store has you covered for parts and accessories, or come in and see us in person at Ashmore — either way, we can sort you out.
✅ 7. Thinking About Upgrading? Now’s the Time
Here’s one a lot of people don’t think about: winter is genuinely one of the smartest times to upgrade your boat. Less competition for good stock, no rush, and our EOFY stock clearance is still on right now — real value to be had while it lasts, before things pick back up for the season.
Whether you’re after a tinnie for the kids to learn on or you’re ready to step up into something bigger for weekends offshore, we’ve got a solid range of new Makocraft and Sea-Trex boats sitting in stock, ready to go.
💡 Pro tip: Jump onto our Boats in Stock page to see what’s currently available, or give us a call and we’ll talk you through what suits your budget and how you use the water.
🌟 See You Before Spring
Look, boating doesn’t stop just because it’s cooler — plenty of our regulars are still out chasing winter fish. But if your boat’s having a rest, don’t let it rest too hard. A bit of attention now means you’ll be first on the water, not first in the queue.
Need your outboard or trailer serviced? Get in now while it’s quiet. Need parts or accessories? Check out our online store or come see us in person. And if you’ve been toying with the idea of upgrading, don’t sleep on the EOFY deals — jump onto Boats in Stock and see what’s ready to go.
Pop into Tim Stessl Marine, give us a call, or drop us a line — we’re always happy to have a chat about what your boat needs before the season turns.
