Houseboat and In-Water Boat Winter Care on Lake Roosevelt

If your houseboat or boat stays on Lake Roosevelt over the winter, it needs its engines and water systems winterized before freezing weather, and someone checking on it while the lake level changes. Shadow Storage Lake Roosevelt offers a $500 houseboat winter watch plan: we watch your houseboat over the winter. For engine winterization, our partner, Spokane Boat Repair, is a mobile marine mechanic that comes to your home, storage lot, or marina.

We're at 44300 State Route 25 N, Davenport, WA, near the Fort Spokane boat launch on Lake Roosevelt, Washington. Call 509-282-5784, 7 AM to 7 PM, seven days a week.

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Phones 7 AM – 7 PM daily · 24/7 access

Why boats on the water need different care

A boat on a trailer comes out, gets winterized, and sits. A houseboat or a boat in a slip stays in the lake all winter, and that brings its own problems:

  • Freezing. Engines, generators, freshwater lines, water heaters, and heads can all freeze and crack.
  • Changing lake level. Lake Roosevelt is a reservoir, and its level moves through the year. Lines, anchors, and dock connections that were fine in summer may be too tight or too loose later. Check current levels at nps.gov/laro.
  • Snow and ice load. Heavy snow on a roof or canvas adds weight and can tear covers.
  • Nobody's around. Many owners don't get to the lake for months. Small problems like a failing bilge pump or a loose line can turn into big ones.

Houseboat winter watch plan: $500

We have one plan for houseboats that stay on the lake: for $500, we watch your houseboat over the winter.

PlanWhat it isPrice
Houseboat winter watchWe watch your houseboat over the winter$500

Call 509-282-5784 for the details of the plan. Engine winterization by Spokane Boat Repair is $420 plus tax per engine, and spring dewinterization is $270 plus tax per engine.

What a houseboat needs for winter

What's needed depends on the boat. Typical items:

  1. Engine winterization. Spokane Boat Repair winterizes engines for $420 plus tax per engine. That covers running antifreeze through the cooling system, fogging the cylinders, and adding fuel stabilizer.
  2. Generator. Winterize it along with the engines.
  3. Freshwater system. Drain the tank, water heater, and lines, and add non-toxic antifreeze where needed.
  4. Heads and holding tanks. Pump out, then winterize.
  5. Cover or wrap. A good wrap or cover sheds snow and keeps water out of the cabin and deck.
  6. Winter watch. With our $500 plan, we watch your houseboat over the winter.
  7. Spring dewinterization. Spokane Boat Repair's dewinterization is $270 plus tax per engine.

Houseboat winter checklist for owners

If you handle some of this yourself, here's what to cover before you leave the boat for the winter:

  • Winterize every engine and the generator, or book a mechanic to do it.
  • Drain freshwater tanks, lines, and the water heater. Add non-toxic antifreeze to traps and fixtures.
  • Pump out and winterize heads and holding tanks.
  • Take food, bedding, and valuables home. Prop open the fridge and cupboards.
  • Make sure bilge pumps work and batteries can keep them running.
  • Check lines and anchors with the lake level in mind. Leave enough slack for the water to drop.
  • Cover or wrap the boat to shed snow.
  • Take photos inside and out, and leave a contact number with your marina.

Pulling the boat instead

If your boat can come out of the water on a trailer, dry storage is often simpler. We offer outdoor storage at $75–$150 a month, covered at $150–$300, and indoor enclosed units at $300–$500 (12x30 or 12x40, not climate-controlled). Our All-Inclusive Winter Package is $2,200 plus tax for pickup, winterization, shrink wrap, winter storage, spring commissioning, a detail, and delivery back.

If your boat stays in a slip all summer, you can also store the empty trailer with us for $50 a month.

Set up winter care

Call 509-282-5784, 7 AM to 7 PM, seven days a week. Tell us the boat type, length, number of engines, whether there's a generator, and where it's moored. Book early, before freezing nights start.

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave my houseboat on Lake Roosevelt all winter?

That depends on your marina's rules, so check with your marina first. If it stays in the water, the engines, generator, and water systems need to be winterized before freezing weather, and someone should check on it through the winter.

Who can winterize my houseboat's engines?

Our partner, Spokane Boat Repair, a mobile marine mechanic that comes to your home, storage lot, or marina. Engine winterization is $420 plus tax per engine. Call them at (509) 408-3075.

How much does houseboat winter care cost?

Our houseboat winter watch plan is $500, and we watch your houseboat over the winter. Engine winterization by Spokane Boat Repair is $420 plus tax per engine. Call 509-282-5784 to set it up.

Can I store my trailer while my boat is in a slip?

Yes. Trailer storage is $50 a month at our lot near the Fort Spokane boat launch. Call 509-282-5784 to set it up.

How does the lake level affect a moored boat in winter?

Lake Roosevelt's level changes through the year, and lines, anchors, and docks need to allow for it. A line that's too tight when the water drops can damage a cleat or the dock. Check current levels at nps.gov/laro.

Is it better to pull my boat out?

If the boat can go on a trailer, pulling it and storing it dry usually means fewer winter worries. We offer outdoor, covered, and indoor storage, and a $2,200 plus tax All-Inclusive Winter Package with pickup and delivery.

Ready to book?

Call or text 509-282-5784. Phones 7 AM – 7 PM daily · 24/7 access.

Call 509-282-5784See Storage Prices →