What Does Boat Winterization Cost in Ontario? At Harris Boat Works on Rice Lake, the engine, boat length and storage choice determine the starting numbers. A 90 HP FourStroke uses the 75 to 115 HP winterization row.
Quick answer: For an 18 ft boat on its own trailer with a 90 HP FourStroke, HBW's published 2026–27 example is $1,092.49: $444.49 for winterization plus $648 for outdoor storage with shrink wrap. That is CAD before HST, shop supplies and miscellaneous charges. Other engines and requested work use the rates below.
What Does Boat Winterization Cost in Ontario?
At Harris Boat Works on Rice Lake, the engine, boat length and storage choice determine the starting numbers. A 90 HP FourStroke uses the 75 to 115 HP winterization row. An 18 ft boat on its own trailer uses the up-to-21-ft storage row. Add the services you need, then confirm any extra work for your boat.
The tables below show HBW's published prices, rather than an Ontario-wide average. Submit the boat and engine details at hbwservice.ca when you are ready to have us take care of it.
Published HBW 2026-27 winterization and storage rates
HBW publishes its current 2026–27 winterization and storage rates on the HBW rate card, effective September 2026.
Published 2026-27 rate-card figures on this page were copied October 14, 2026 and checked against the current public rate card on October 26, 2026.
All prices are in Canadian dollars. HST and shop supplies are additional. Your work order confirms the services requested. Choose the services you need:
- Winterization only
- Outdoor winter storage with shrink wrap
- Outdoor uncovered storage
- Shrink wrap only
Storage is outdoors. "Done inside" and "done outside" refer only to where we apply shrink wrap.
Outboard winterization
| Engine |
Price |
| 0 to 30 HP 2-Stroke |
$191.06 |
| 40 to 200 HP 2-Stroke |
$230.80 |
| 0 to 20 HP FourStroke |
$280.84 |
| 25 to 30 HP FourStroke |
$311.58 |
| 40 to 60 HP FourStroke |
$355.94 |
| 75 to 115 HP FourStroke |
$444.49 |
| 150 HP FourStroke |
$498.56 |
| 175 to 300 HP FourStroke |
$512.88 |
| OptiMax / E-Tec |
$265.12 |
The outboard rows give one published price per engine band. They do not itemize oil, filters, gearcase lubricant or labour. Confirm which of those are included for your engine, and have any extra maintenance, water-system work or repairs listed on your quote. If your engine is not listed, include its details at hbwservice.ca.
Personal watercraft, including Sea-Doo, are not listed here. Use the current HBW rate card and a written work order for that scope.
Sterndrive and inboard winterization
| Engine |
Winterize |
With oil and filter |
| Inline 4 and inline 6 |
$366.80 |
$529.16 |
| V6 and V8 |
$389.30 |
$563.66 |
| Bravo |
$471.21 |
$621.07 |
| 4.5 L MerCruiser |
$403.75 |
$576.04 |
| Inboard |
$391.43 |
$514.79 |
For engine repairs, we only service Mercury and MerCruiser. Winterization is different: we winterize all brands of outboards, sterndrives, inboards and PWCs when the requested scope is accepted.
Outdoor winter storage with shrink wrap
| Boat and trailer |
Price |
| With trailer, up to 21 ft |
$36 / ft |
| With trailer, 22 to 28 ft |
$38 / ft |
| No trailer, up to 21 ft |
$39 / ft |
| No trailer, 22 to 28 ft |
$42 / ft |
Includes haul out where required, shrink wrap, battery charging, spring launch on request, spring check and trailer storage the following summer. Maximum boat length for winter storage is 30 ft. Include 29 to 30 ft boats and unusual haul-out situations in your service request so we can confirm the exact price.
Outdoor winter storage uncovered
| Boat and trailer |
Price |
| With trailer, up to 21 ft |
$28 / ft |
| With trailer, 22 to 28 ft |
$30 / ft |
| No trailer, up to 21 ft |
$31 / ft |
| No trailer, 22 to 28 ft |
$33 / ft |
The spring check is included for HBW winter-storage customers. Confirm the other services on your work order.
Shrink wrap only
| Option |
Price |
| Shrink wrap only (done inside) |
$22 / ft |
| Shrink wrap only (done outside) |
$27 / ft |
Published 18 ft example from the rate card
The rate card shows one worked example: an 18 ft boat on its own trailer, 90 HP FourStroke, winterized and stored outdoors under shrink wrap. Spring check, spring launch on request, and next summer's trailer storage are included.
| Line item |
Amount |
| 75 to 115 HP FourStroke winterization |
$444.49 |
| 18 ft storage with shrink wrap |
$648.00 |
| Service subtotal |
$1,092.49 |
Before HST, shop supplies and miscellaneous charges. Effective September 2026 on the source rate card. This is a published example, not a generic package price for every boat.
What Can Change Your Total
The written quote should also identify its cost drivers:
| Cost driver |
What must be confirmed |
| Engine and drive |
Exact brand, model, serial number, engine count, and outboard or sterndrive configuration |
| Maintenance due |
Engine oil, filter, gearcase lubricant, spark plugs, impeller, anodes, filters, and lubrication only as the applicable schedule requires |
| Condition found |
Water or metal in gearcase lubricant, leaks, corrosion, damaged seals, fuel issues, alarms, or other repair findings |
| Boat systems |
Livewell, washdown, potable-water, head, bilge, pumps, and other systems that can retain water |
| Storage preparation |
Engine storage procedure, battery plan, drainage, moisture control, and approved cover or shrinkwrap scope |
| Hull and trailer work |
Shrinkwrap, outdoor storage, trailer service, and repairs listed separately when requested |
| Spring work |
The spring check is included for HBW winter-storage customers and is $99 for non-storage customers, as of July 2026 |
A useful quote states what is included, what is excluded, what requires approval if discovered, and when the work can be considered complete.
What HBW Needs to Quote Your Boat
Two motors with the same horsepower badge can have different oil capacities, gearcases, fuel systems and maintenance parts. Give us enough detail to identify yours:
- Boat year, make, model and length
- Engine brand, horsepower, model and serial number, plus the number of engines
- Engine hours and the last completed annual service, when known
- Any alarms, leaks, fuel problems or gearcase concerns
- Livewell, washdown, potable-water, head or other systems that hold water
- Whether you want shrinkwrap, outdoor storage, trailer work or other repairs
HBW can winterize other engine brands when the requested scope is accepted. Engine repairs are limited to Mercury and MerCruiser.
What a Mercury Winterization May Include
The operation and maintenance manual for the exact engine and serial number controls the procedure. Products, access points and steps can change by engine family.
A professional winterization may address:
- Fuel storage preparation: the specified fuel treatment and circulation procedure
- Internal engine protection: the model's storage procedure; do not assume every FourStroke uses the same intake-fogging method
- Engine oil and filter: service when required by the annual or hour-based maintenance schedule
- Gearcase lubricant: inspection and service when due; water or metal needs diagnosis
- Cooling system: the approved flushing and drainage method, with cooling water supplied whenever an outboard is run
- Lubrication and corrosion protection: the grease points and protection steps identified by the manual and inspection
- Storage position: the position specified for the engine so water can drain as designed
- Battery plan: charge and condition check, disconnection to prevent parasitic draw, and charge maintenance during storage according to the battery maker's instructions
A healthy battery may remain aboard only if fully charged, disconnected, secured, and permitted by the approved storage plan. The model/serial manual and approved storage plan control. Removal is not a universal HBW requirement. Batteries can self-discharge even when disconnected, so the storage plan must also address checking and maintaining charge.
Winterization and Annual Service
Winterization protects the engine and boat during storage. Annual service follows the maintenance schedule. The work often overlaps, but the invoice should show what was completed.
Treating fuel does not replace a gearcase inspection. Shrinkwrapping does not winterize the engine or onboard water systems. Include any extra work and spending limits in your service request; winterization does not authorize unrelated repairs.
From the Shop: 584 Winterization Jobs in One Fall
HBW recorded 584 engine winterization job lines from August through December 2025, counted by the work order's close date. Some boats have more than one engine job. Portable outboards, fishing boats, pontoons and MerCruiser packages bring different storage and maintenance needs.
The repeat findings are practical: follow the serial-number procedure, investigate water or metal in gearcase lubricant, disconnect batteries and protect every water-holding system. New repair findings need approval before the work goes ahead.
Shrinkwrap and Outdoor Winter Storage at HBW
HBW offers outdoor storage with professional shrink wrap, outdoor uncovered storage, and shrink-wrap-only service. We do not offer indoor or heated boat storage.
The shrinkwrapped storage rate includes haul out where required, wrapping, battery charging, the spring check, spring launch on request and trailer storage the following summer. Engine winterization is priced separately. The tables above distinguish storage from wrap-only service for a boat you take home.
We can generally arrange boat pickup. Ask us about availability for your boat and location. Service work takes place at our Gores Landing shop. HBW does not deliver boats, ship motors, offer mobile, dockside, or on-site service, recommend transport providers, or quote third-party transport.
How to Start
- Service request: Complete hbwservice.ca.
- Drop off: Bring us the boat, including after hours.
- Done: We take care of the requested work.
Jobs are first come, first served; no separate appointment or storage reservation is required. Submit your request about one to two weeks before the planned drop-off. Include spending limits and any work you want discussed first.
Protect the boat before freezing conditions. Mid-November is the practical last call for fall intake. The December 1 closure is the marina's operating deadline, not a date to wait for before winterizing.
The physical marina is closed December 1 through April 1. During that period there is no on-site service, inspection, installation or commissioning, no customer access to stored boats, and no pickup or drop-off. Take out gear you may need before leaving the boat. Remote planning can continue while the yard is closed.
What the Spring Check Costs
The spring check is included for HBW winter-storage customers and is $99 for non-storage customers, as of July 2026, before HST and shop supplies. The work order confirms what the check covers and any additional spring service.
Plan pickup or launch only after HBW confirms the authorized work is complete. A fall winterization or storage agreement does not guarantee a launch date.
DIY or Professional Winterization?
DIY can make sense when you have the exact manual, the required tools and products, a safe cooling-water supply and the ability to inspect and refill fluids correctly.
Request professional service if you cannot identify the procedure, find water or metal in gearcase lubricant, have alarms or leaks, or cannot properly drain the boat's water systems. The DIY Mercury outboard winterization guide helps you decide whether the job is within your ability; the exact engine manual remains the procedure to follow.
Let Us Handle the Fall Work
Send the boat and engine details through hbwservice.ca, choose the work you need, then drop off the boat during the open season. Winterization, shrinkwrap and outdoor storage can all be handled in one stop.
Official Sources
