5 Crucial Winterization Mistakes Detroit Lakes Boaters Can't Afford to Make

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September 10th, 2025

The golden days are gone, but the memories of a perfect summer on Big Detroit Lake and a stroll along the Mile Long Beach are still fresh in your mind. The air is getting crisp, and there's a certain stillness that signals a change of seasons. For every boater in Detroit Lakes, this isn't just a sign of fall; it’s a call to action. Winter is coming, and in our part of Minnesota, winter doesn't mess around. The average daily low can dip to 9°F and even plummet to -20°F.

If you’re a hands-on boater, you might be planning to winterize your boat yourself. While this can be a rewarding project, one single mistake can turn a small oversight into a major, and very costly, disaster. The damage from a hard freeze can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs, from a cracked engine block to burst pipes. Suddenly, the cost of a professional service, which can be around $425 for an inboard boat, seems like a bargain when you consider what’s at stake.

To help you protect your investment and avoid needing expensive repairs in the spring, let’s look at five crucial winterization mistakes that boaters in Detroit Lakes can’t afford to make.

Overlooking Your Engine's Needs

Many boaters are careful about cleaning the outside of their boat but forget the most important part: the engine and fuel system. A key part of winterizing involves changing the engine oil, adding a marine fuel stabilizer, and using a fogging spray on the cylinders. A common and devastating mistake is not properly filling your fuel tank before storage. An empty tank allows moisture to build up inside. This is especially dangerous with modern fuels that contain ethanol, which can lead to something called "phase separation." This is when the water and alcohol in your fuel separate and sink to the bottom of the tank. Once it happens, the only solution is to have a professional perform a difficult, costly, and hazardous fuel removal. By the time you find the problem in the spring, it's already too late.

Forgetting About Unseen Water

Even if you think you've drained all the water from your boat, a tiny bit left behind is all it takes for disaster to strike. The extreme cold in Detroit Lakes, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing, is more than enough to freeze any remaining water in your engine block, plumbing, or bilges. When water freezes, it expands with immense force. This expansion can crack an engine block or burst a pipe, leading to catastrophic and expensive damage. To prevent this, it’s essential to use a non-toxic marine engine antifreeze throughout all water-bearing systems, from the plumbing to the engine, to make sure every last drop is protected.

Trusting a Cheap Cover

A cheap tarp might seem like a good way to save a few dollars, but it’s a gamble that rarely pays off. Facing a Minnesota winter, a flimsy cover can tear, collect heavy snow and water, and trap moisture. This trapped moisture can create a perfect home for mold and mildew, which can destroy your boat's interior. A simple tarp offers no real protection from the elements, and in a place like Detroit Lakes, that’s a serious problem. For a more robust solution, options like shrink wrap are a far better choice.

Skipping the Final Clean-Up

A thorough cleaning is more than just about keeping your boat looking nice; it’s about protecting your investment. Failing to clean the hull and engine can leave behind dirt, salt, and other grime that will cause corrosion over the winter. The interior also needs to be cleaned and dried to prevent mold and mildew from taking hold. While it might seem like a chore at the end of a long season, skipping this step can result in a moldy, mildew-ridden boat in the spring that is difficult and frustrating to restore.

Leaving Your Investment Unsecured

You’ve spent the time and money to protect your boat's interior and mechanical systems, so why leave it vulnerable to the final, and most dangerous, mistake? Many people mistakenly believe that leaving a space heater running inside their boat will keep it warm and prevent freezing. However, this is a dangerous practice that can lead to fire. Fires from unattended heaters and shorted extension cords are a common occurrence and can cause extensive damage or even the total loss of a boat. Beyond fire, an unmonitored boat is an easy target for theft or vandalism. After all your hard work, leaving your valuable asset exposed and unsecured is the most critical mistake you can make. This is why many local boat owners trust a professional solution like boat storage in Detroit Lakes, MN.

A Secure Solution for Your Investment

Each of these common mistakes points to a single, secure solution: professional boat storage. Instead of worrying about a faulty heater, an inadequate tarp, or the threat of a hard freeze, you can trust your boat to a secure, professional facility that understands the demands of the Detroit Lakes climate.

Ramsey Self Storage, located at 1200 8th St SE in Detroit Lakes, offers a variety of self storage solutions designed specifically to combat the risks of winter. Their secure indoor and outdoor parking options provide a safe home for your vessel. For the ultimate protection, some of their new units even feature temperature control, eliminating the risk of unseen water damage and freezing. The facility is fenced, gated, and monitored by security cameras, providing peace of mind from theft and vandalism.

This winter, don’t let a simple mistake sink your investment. Take the final, most important step to protect your boat. Visit the main location page for Ramsey Self Storage to learn more and secure your spot for the off-season. When spring arrives, you'll be ready to hit the water for another season of fun, knowing your boat was safe and sound all winter long thanks to secure boat storage in Detroit Lakes.