Publication date: 07/29/2026
Different ways to store your boat over winter
Outdoors on land
The most common option, and usually the most affordable, is to store the boat on a cradle, props or stands outdoors on land. The boat is then covered with a tarpaulin, shrink wrap (a slightly more expensive option) or fibre covering, which has grown increasingly popular in recent years. The cover needs to be properly secured so that heavy snow doesn’t collect in dips and press it down, and so that an autumn or winter storm doesn’t tear it loose. At the same time, the cover must allow airflow, otherwise you risk condensation and mould underneath. Outdoor storage works well for most boats, but places greater demands on you when spring comes, since the hull and equipment have been exposed to the open air all winter.
Cold storage (unheated hall)
A cold storage hall is an indoor facility without heating, but protected from snow, wind and direct weather. The boat stays drier and more sheltered than outdoors, which is gentler on the hull and other equipment. If you leave cushions and covers on the boat, the extra dryness of a cold storage hall makes a significant difference in preventing moisture and mould over winter. The price falls somewhere between outdoor storage and heated hall storage. Cold storage is therefore often a good middle ground for those who want extra protection without paying for full heating.
Heated hall (warm storage)
In a heated hall, the temperature is kept above zero throughout winter. This is the most gentle option for boats with sensitive electronics, wooden interiors or other equipment that suffers in cold temperatures and temperature fluctuations. Heated storage is also popular with those who want to work comfortably on the boat during the winter months without freezing their fingers. It is also the most expensive option.
Winter berth in the water
An option that many people don’t know about is leaving the boat in the water over winter rather than hauling it out. This requires the harbour to be kept ice-free, usually with bubble systems that circulate water around hulls and pontoons. The main advantage is that you avoid both haul-out and launch entirely, the boat is simply moved to a winter berth and ready to use whenever you want.
If you want to take a trip out to the archipelago on a sunny winter’s day, you will need shore power connected to maintain the temperature on board above zero. Without it, the engine, water system and through-hull fittings need to be winterised just as they would for a haul-out.
Regardless of whether the boat is kept warm or winterised, a winter berth in the water also places certain requirements on the boat. An automatic bilge pump with a float switch is essential, as nobody will be checking manually every day. Mooring should be extra robust for autumn and winter storms, with double lines and snubbers.
💡 If possible, moor the boat with the bow facing open water and the stern to the pontoon. This protects the transom from waves, particularly on motor boats, which is one of the most common reasons boats take on water and sink at their mooring during winter. It also means the bow, which is best able to withstand ice, faces any ice that may form if you need to break out. It is also worth checking with your insurance company what requirements apply for the boat to be fully insured in the water over winter, requirements vary between companies but typically concern the bilge pump, mooring and regular inspection.
Winter storage at Svinninge and Gåshaga
Which option suits you best depends on what kind of boat owner you are, and where you keep your berth also plays a role.
At Svinninge Marina, you can choose between outdoor storage, indoor cold storage or an ice-free winter berth in the water. With us, the mast can generally remain on the boat over winter, saving both time and effort — there is no need to de-rig in autumn and re-rig again in spring. As owner work is permitted, you have access to your boat whenever you like throughout winter storage, and can work at your own pace with support from the service companies on site when you need it. If you choose land storage, each place has its own safety zone, meaning you can launch independently of your neighbours without having to wait for someone else to move their boat first.
At Gåshaga Marina, you choose between insulated halls (cold storage), heated halls (warm storage) or outdoor storage on land. Here, haul-out and winter storage are managed by our boatyard team, ideal for those who want to leave everything practical to us. Service and repairs are carried out by Sweden’s first Godkänd Marinverkstad-certified workshop, a quality mark from Sweboat that guarantees clear standards for procedures, staff and customer satisfaction.
Common to both marinas is that professional staff handle haul-out and launch using a tractor and hydraulic trailer, which reduces the risk of damage compared with older lifting methods.
What affects the price of winter storage?
Unlike summer berths, where the price is largely determined by the boat’s beam, winter storage is priced based on the boat’s footprint in square metres and weight in tonnes. A larger or heavier boat takes up more space and places greater demands on the equipment used during handling. Indoor storage in a cold or heated hall offers the best possible protection during the cold months, and is priced accordingly, while an outdoor place is the most affordable option. We have made antifouling a mandatory part of winter storage, a simple way to remove the season’s growth before the boat is put away, so you start the next season with a clean hull.
Want to know exactly what it would cost to store your boat with us? Check our current price list, or get in touch and we will help you work it out.
Preparing your boat for winter
Once the boat is in place for winter, there are a few things worth doing straight away, before the cold really sets in.
👉 Seacocks are an area where many owners miss a simple but important step. Leave them half-open before you leave the boat for the season. Fully closed or fully open seacocks risk trapping residual water droplets in a corner of the valve housing, and if that water freezes the valve can crack. The half-open position significantly reduces the risk.
👉 Empty the holding tank before the boat is hauled out, it is easy to do at a pump-out station while the boat is still in the water. If forgotten, a frozen holding tank can be troublesome to empty and may cause damage to the tank and pipes over winter.
👉 Make sure the batteries are fully charged before winter. Poorly charged batteries risk freezing and being damaged, while fully charged batteries handle the cold well. If you are able to trickle-charge over winter, it is a worthwhile investment.
👉 Finally, make sure the cover provides good ventilation, and open up lockers, wardrobes and storage spaces on board so that air can circulate freely there too. A completely sealed boat accumulates moisture, and moisture combined with cold is a certain path to mould and frost damage. A dehumidifier, such as a moisture absorber, draws out excess moisture and is a simple way to keep both lockers and the cabin dry over winter.
When should you book winter storage?
Demand for winter storage in Stockholm is generally high in autumn, and it is not unusual for boat owners to wait until the last minute to decide. Our experience is that we can almost always find a place even if you get in touch late, but the earlier you book, the greater the chance of getting exactly the storage option you want, particularly if you are aiming for heated or cold hall storage, where places are fewer. Get in touch as early as August or September if you want to be sure of getting the storage you’re after.
Thinking about changing your home marina?
Autumn is often a natural time to think about where the boat will be next season. If you are curious about trying Svinninge Marina or Gåshaga Marina without committing to a full season, Summerdeal is available: a 3-month contract where you choose which months suit you best. It is a good way to see how a marina works in practice before committing to a longer agreement. Read more about finding the right home marina:
Frequently asked questions
👉 What is the difference between cold storage and heated storage?
A cold storage hall is an indoor facility without heating, which protects the boat from snow, wind and precipitation. A heated hall is kept above zero throughout winter, which is gentler on sensitive equipment but costs more.
👉 Can I leave my boat in the water over winter?
Yes, at Svinninge Marina a winter berth in the water is available as an alternative to haul-out. The harbour is kept ice-free and the boat is ready to use as soon as the season begins, with no need for launching.
👉 Do I have to antifoul the boat before winter storage?
Yes, antifouling is mandatory before winter storage with us. It is also a good opportunity to remove the season’s growth before the boat is put away.
👉 What should I do with the seacocks before winter?
Leave the seacocks in the half-open position. This prevents residual water droplets from becoming trapped and freezing the valve during winter.
👉 Are there environmentally friendly alternatives to glycol?
Choose propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol, both for the toilet and when winterising the engine. Both provide the same protection against frost damage, but propylene glycol is considerably less harmful to the environment if it leaks out.
👉 Can the mast stay on the boat over winter?
At Svinninge Marina, the mast can generally remain on the boat over winter, saving time and effort for both haul-out and launch. At Gåshaga Marina, it depends on which storage option you choose, contact the boatyard team for guidance when booking.
👉 Can I work on my boat myself during winter?
At Svinninge Marina, owner work is permitted year-round, including during winter storage, and you can access your boat whenever you like, with support from the service companies on site. At Gåshaga Marina, winter storage is managed by our boatyard team, and service and repairs are carried out by the service companies on site, certified to Sweboat’s Godkänd Marinverkstad quality standard, a standard Gåshaga was the first marina in Sweden to achieve.
👉 When should I book winter storage?
Book as early as August or September to be sure of getting the storage option you want, particularly if you are looking for heated or cold hall storage. In most cases we can find a place even at short notice.
