Your Spring Checklist for Getting Your Boat Ready for the Water

Spring is here, and for boat owners, that means the anticipation of long, sunny days out on the water is in the near future. However, before you can fully enjoy the summer boating season, it's important to conduct some essential maintenance checks on your watercraft, especially if you haven’t had time to do so during the off-season. 

Proper winterization is key to ensuring your boat is in good condition when you're ready to hit the water again. This process involves draining your boat's systems of water and other fluids and replacing them with antifreeze to protect against freezing damage.

Now that spring has arrived, it's time to assess the condition of your boat. Regardless of how you stored it during the colder months, do a thorough visual inspection of both the interior and exterior to check for any damage that needs to be addressed.

Next, it's time to de-winterize your boat's engine and other important systems. This process will vary depending on the type of boat you have, but generally involves emptying the fluids from the engine and replacing them with fresh oil.

Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your boat in top condition. 

Regular Maintenance Tasks: 

• Oil and filter change: every six months or after 375 boating hours
• Water pump service: every two months or 200 boating hours
• Fuel filter change: annually or after 100 hours of boating
• Transmission oil change: every two years or after 2000 boating hours
• Driving belt change: annually or after 1000 hours of boating
• Steering cable: grease annually, usually at the beginning of boating season
• Cooling system flush: every three years of after 6000 hours of operation (be sure to regularly inspect this system more often than this)
• Air filter: clean every six months or 1000 hours of boating
• Propeller check: every time you go out on the boat you should be inspecting it for any damage
• Battery charge: annually or if battery indicator shows it’s low – check regularly to avoid being stranded out on the water
  

Cleaning your boat is also an important part of spring maintenance. Wipe down all surfaces with marine-grade cleaner to prevent erosion, and organize your gear to ensure everything is in working order.

Finally, conduct a final check to make sure everything is in order before heading out on the water. 

Final Checklist:

• Do you have an up-to-date boat registration onboard?
• Are your wiper blades in good working order?
• Do you need to invest in boat towing insurance?
• Have you inspected your boat trailer and confirmed it’s in good working order?
• Have you added spare fuses and parts to your boat’s storage area, just in case?
• Do all of your lights work properly?
• Do you have all the proper equipment (i.e. dock lines, fenders, etc.) needed to dock properly?
• Have you checked all distress signals, first aid supplies, and fire extinguishers on the boat to make sure they are not expired?
• Do you have enough personal flotation devices and life jackets for all of your passengers?
• Are your nautical charts and maps current and up-to-date?
• Is your radar reflector working properly?

By following these maintenance tips, you can ensure your boat is ready for a summer of fun on the water.