PONTOON WINTERIZATION GUIDE

Written by Chris Al Tork

Preparing your pontoon for winter.

After a sunny summer and a pleasant autumn, it's time to think about winter and prepare your Terraflo pontoon boat for the cold season. You're probably wondering how to winterize a pontoon and whether or not you should take it out of the water. Here are a few tips to ensure the longevity of your pontoon-dock.

Get out or leave the pontoon in the water?

The first question to ask is: should I take my pontoon out for the winter, or leave it in the water? This depends on the type of water you're on.

  • If your body of water is calm and there are no strong currents with blocks of ice crashing into the docks, you can leave your Terraflo in the water or half on your land and half in the water. In this case, it's important to secure the pontoon to a tree or post to prevent it from shifting unintentionally during the winter.

  • If the water level fluctuates a lot, or if you're worried about rising water levels, push the pontoon a little further out from the shore, drop the anchor and tie it to your land with a sufficiently long rope.

  • If your body of water has a lot of current (around 10%) , the real danger to your pontoon usually comes during the thaw. When the ice begins to melt, blocks of ice can drift and damage docks or surrounding structures. If your lake is prone to this type of risk, it's best to remove your Terraflo completely from the water for the cold season.

The Captain on ice at a customer's 2023 showroom.

Maintenance and accessories for storage

Before winter sets in, don't forget to store as many accessories as possible to prevent them from deteriorating. In particular:

  • The bimini roof

  • Glass holders

  • The anchor

  • The barbecue

These accessories can be sensitive to cold and weather, so be sure to store them in a dry place.

Wooden furniture can be left on the pontoon or stowed away if possible.

Your pontoon ready for spring action

If your body of water doesn't have strong currents during the thaw, your pontoon will be ready to sail as soon as the lake thaws. Just put it back in place and enjoy your Terraflo again.

Contact us

At Terraflo, we want you to enjoy a stylish, durable and easy-to-maintain pontoon all year round. If you have any further questions about winterizing or maintaining your pontoon, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@terraflo.ca.

We wish you many more pleasant days on your Terraflo until winter sets in and your lakes freeze over!

Julie & Christopher

Chris Al Tork