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 | Summer Tips |
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Before you go out...
When the weather begins to warm and your mind shifts from the winter activities to summer, boating's appeal becomes irresistible. I always start working my pre-season checklist early to ensure I've covered all important issues that I may find. Most maintenance is minimal on newer boats, but still essential to have fun this summer. If you have an older boat the list is a bit longer but still manageable with these tips.
First you want to ask yourself, how did I leave my boat last year? Was the oil changed, battery dead, or did you have it winterize? Spring time maintenance begins with a basic inspection of your boat. If your boat is a houseboat out in the open, then you want to perform a walk around. The outside basics are as follows:
Is the vessel floating level?
Are there any siding or roof pieces loose or missing?
Is the hand rail secured around the walkways?
Is there water buildup in the bilge area?
On outboards pull off the motor cover and inspect for excessive corrosion or damage.
Check your oil level on inboards and 4 cycle outboards.
Look for oil streaks in the water surrounding the boat.
Are your cleates secured to the deck?
Inspect your pontoons at the waterline for new dents or cracks i the welds above the waterline.
The inside inspection is simple yet effective also:
Are the windows steaming up?
Are there any stains or discoloration in the ceiling or walls, especially around the windows and roof joints.
Does the interior smell different or moldy?
Make sure the batteries are charged and check your electrical components like lights, gauges, stereo, bilge pumps, etc.
Also without starting the engine, move the throttle forward and backward making sure you feel no harsh spots or binding.
Move the steering wheel full port the full starboard, also feeling for binding
Inspect fire extinguishers, make sure they are charged and the date has not expired.
Count all life jackets and make sure they have no broken straps and clips.
Count all square throw floats and ensure they are accessible when at the helm underway.
Test your air horn
With these simple inspections you can get to know your boat along with finding problems early that make cause more damage in the future. Generally engine and safety items like steering are better left to the professionals. Boats can and will reward you with a little care in the present going toward a problem free future.
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