FrostList

When to Winterize Your Boat in Annapolis, MD

ON TRACK140 days until first 28°F freezeNov 28

The first 28°F freeze near Annapolis averages November 28 (1991–2020 normals) — enough to crack an unprotected block even where owners assume they're safe — so winterize the boat by November 21. The early-to-late range spans roughly 40 days, so treat the median as a midpoint, not a promise.

OUTLOOK

Typical first first 28°F freeze near Nov 28; local deadline about Nov 21. The live 10-day outlook loads here.

Local freeze dates for Annapolis

ThresholdEarly (1-in-10)MedianLate (9-in-10)
32°F (light freeze)Nov 1Nov 13Dec 1
28°F (hard freeze)Nov 9Nov 28Dec 19
24°F (severe)Nov 23Dec 13Jan 4

NOAA station: Annapolis Police Brks · 1.3 mi away · 25 ft elevation.

Numbers for Annapolis come from Annapolis Police Brks, 1.3 miles away at 25 feet, where the medians fall 32°F by Nov 13, 28°F by Nov 28, 24°F by Dec 13. The 28°F freeze has come as early as Nov 9 and as late as Dec 19, a 40-day spread. Spring's last 32°F freeze clears around Mar 27. Snowfall averages 19 inches a year, first reaching an inch near December.

Annapolis usually sees its first 32°F night about Nov 13, with the first 28°F hard freeze close behind near Nov 28. The 32°F date swings from Nov 1 at its earliest to Dec 1 at its latest, near 30 days. The last spring freeze averages Mar 27 and as late as Apr 9, which sets the safe window for reopening outdoor water and de-winterizing gear. About 19 inches of snow a year is enough to justify servicing the snow blower and watching the eaves.

Your boat checklist

  1. Change the engine oil and filter while the motor is warm so contaminants leave with the old oil.
  2. Run the engine on antifreeze until pink fluid reaches the outlet, protecting the block and manifolds.
    Helpful gear: Marine antifreeze — Recommended pick
  3. Fog the cylinders with fogging oil as the engine runs down to coat internal parts against corrosion.
    Helpful gear: Fogging oil — Recommended pick
  4. Top off the fuel tank and add stabilizer to limit condensation and protect ethanol-blend fuel.
    Helpful gear: Marine fuel stabilizer — Recommended pick
  5. Drain the raw-water system, the livewell, and any washdown lines that can trap water.
  6. Remove the battery, charge it fully, and keep it on a maintainer over the layup.
    Helpful gear: Battery maintainer — Recommended pick
  7. Support the cover so snow and rain shed off, and leave vents so the interior can breathe.
  8. For an inboard or sterndrive, follow the manual closely — those blocks are the ones freeze claims hit hardest.

What to have on hand

Marine antifreeze
Propylene-glycol fluid rated for engine blocks and systems.
Recommended pick
Marine fuel stabilizer
Additive that protects ethanol-blend fuel over the layup.
Recommended pick
Fogging oil
Spray that coats cylinders against corrosion in storage.
Recommended pick
Battery maintainer
Keeps the cranking battery topped off on the trailer.
Recommended pick

What this means locally

Annapolis freezes later than Bowie (Nov 1) and about a week ahead of Baltimore (Dec 5) — a reminder that even nearby towns differ by days. Statewide, Maryland prep dates run Oct 25 through Nov 28, which is why Annapolis gets its own number rather than a Maryland-wide average. The same freeze also decides when to winterize an RV and store a motorcycle.

Other winter jobs in Annapolis

Every task below is dated to Annapolis's own freeze and snow normals.

Sprinklers → Nov 18Frozen pipes → Nov 1Ice dams → Nov 15Car battery → Nov 28Snow blower → Nov 24Sump pump → Mar 27RV → Nov 18Motorcycle → Nov 13

See the full Annapolis winter checklist, in order →

Frequently asked questions

At what temperature does a boat engine block crack?
Trapped water in an engine block or manifold can freeze and crack the casting once temperatures fall below 32°F and stay there long enough. Inboard and sterndrive blocks hold the most water and are the most vulnerable. Draining fully and adding antifreeze before the first hard freeze near Nov 28 is the protection.
Do outboards need winterizing?
Yes. An outboard should be drained so no water sits in the powerhead or lower unit, and the fuel system stabilized. Outboards self-drain better than inboards when tilted down, but fogging the cylinders and changing the gear oil are still part of a proper layup.
Fogging oil: is it necessary?
Fogging coats the cylinder walls and internal parts with a film that resists corrosion during months of storage. On engines that sit all winter it is cheap insurance against rust, especially in humid or coastal storage. Follow your engine maker's guidance on how to apply it.
How much does boat winterization cost?
A professional winterization varies with engine type and boat size, and inboards cost more than a simple outboard. Doing it yourself costs mainly antifreeze, oil, and fogging oil. Either way, the bill is far smaller than repairing a cracked block, which is the failure winterizing prevents.
Do boats in MD really need winterizing?
If temperatures reach freezing where the boat is stored, yes. Freeze claims are common in milder states precisely because owners assume they are safe and skip the step, then a rare cold snap cracks a block. Check the local freeze dates above and protect the engine before the first hard freeze.
When should I de-winterize my boat?
De-winterize in spring once the risk of a hard freeze has passed for your area. Reconnect and charge the battery, replace drain plugs, check hoses and clamps, and inspect the fuel system before the first launch. Reopening too early leaves the block exposed to a late cold snap.

Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals via Annapolis Police Brks, live outlook by Open-Meteo. Sources · Methodology. Last updated: July 11, 2026.