Seasonal Boat Care Checklists: Month-by-Month Maintenance

Stay Ahead of Seasonal Damage

Each season creates specific maintenance demands. Missing a seasonal task does not just create more work later — it allows damage that compounds throughout the year. These checklists combine season with region so your maintenance plan matches your actual climate.

Year-Round Essentials

Two maintenance tasks matter in every season and every region. Salt removal prevents corrosion and surface etching on any boat exposed to saltwater — see our salt removal care guide for techniques and timing. Oxidation prevention protects gelcoat from cumulative UV damage — our watercraft oxidation prevention guide covers year-round protection strategies.

Spring and Summer

Spring commissioning covers hull inspection, protective coating renewal, and system checks after winter layup. Summer maintenance focuses on after-outing washes, monthly wax touch-ups, and mildew prevention during the busiest boating months.

Fall and Winter

Fall is the window to address accumulated wear before storage. Thorough cleaning, final protective coatings, and winterization are time-sensitive as temperatures drop. Winter tasks vary by region — cold climates need engine winterization and moisture monitoring, while warm climates continue reduced-frequency UV protection.