Introduction

It’s that time of year again! The days are longer and the weather is warmer. You can finally put away your winter clothes and bring out the flip flops because it’s time to take your boat out for a spin. However, before you do so, you will want to make sure that everything on board is in top shape and ready for action. In this article, we’ll cover some basic tips for preparing your boat for the season so that you can enjoy all that summer has to offer!

Don’t clean your boat before putting it in the water.

You may be tempted to clean your boat before you put it back in the water, but this can actually cause damage. The best way to clean your boat is with a soft cloth and mild soap, or even just a hose and some fresh water. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive brushes; they’ll damage the gelcoat on your boat’s hull, which could lead to corrosion. Once you’re done cleaning your boat, make sure that all of the removable parts are dried thoroughly so that moisture doesn’t get inside them.

You don’t need to repair everything at once, focus on one thing at a time.

• Focus on one thing at a time.
• Don’t get overwhelmed.
• Don’t try to fix everything at once.

Test your bilge pump.

Test your bilge pump. If you haven’t used your boat in a while, it’s important to make sure that your bilge pump is operating correctly and that there is no debris blocking it.

To do this:

• Check the hoses are not kinked. Kinked hoses can prevent water from being pumped out of the boat, as well as block air from entering into the pump (which will affect its performance).
• Check that there is no debris around or inside the hose connections. This includes anything from leaves and moss to small animals!
• Watch for any leaks around where you connect the hose to the fitting on your boat—this could indicate a crack in either your hose or fitting which allows air into it instead of water out of it!

Test all safety equipment prior to going out in the water.

Safety equipment should be in good condition, easy to use and access, and easily visible. If you can’t locate your life jacket or if it is damaged or not working properly, consider replacing it before the season starts. As part of your pre-season checkup you should also test all safety equipment by doing a mock drill on land. With the people who will be using each piece of safety gear on board, make sure that everyone knows how to use it properly so they can react quickly if there’s an emergency situation while out on the water!

Wash and wax your boat.

The first step to preparing your boat for the season is a good cleaning. Use soap and water to wash the boat down, then rinse it off with clean water. This will help remove any dirt that may have accumulated over the winter months and improve its appearance.

If you plan on storing your boat in an enclosed space, make sure it’s dry before putting it away. If you don’t want to do this yourself, take it to a professional who will do all of the work for you (this can be a very expensive option).

Once you’ve washed and dried your boat, apply waxing products designed specifically for boats—they are designed with UV protection in mind and will prevent algae growth as well as making your vessel look great!

Check for soft spots on your hull, decks and through-hull fittings.

Soft spots on your hull, decks and through-hull fittings can be caused by water leaks or corrosion. You can check for soft spots by tapping the hull with a hammer. If you find one, you need to fix it before using your boat.

Use a hose to check for leakage around the cleats, deck fitting and railing bases, chainplates, through-hull fittings, hull-to-deck joint, transom and swim platform.

• Use a hose to check for leakage around the cleats, deck fitting and railing bases, chainplates, through-hull fittings, hull-to-deck joint, transom and swim platform.
• Be sure that all fasteners are tight and in good condition. Quick-release nuts must be securely tightened but not over-torqued. Screws should be checked for proper tension with an appropriate screw driver or torque wrench. Replace any screws that do not meet manufacturer specifications (i.e., too loose or too tight).

Replace hoses that are cracked or brittle.

You should replace hoses that are cracked or brittle. Hoses that have been in the sun for a long time, or old hoses will also need to be replaced. If you notice any leaks around the fittings, it’s time to replace your hose as well. Last but not least, if you have hoses which have been exposed to salt water for an extended period of time, those should be replaced as well.

Inspect the exterior skin fittings and replace any that appear corroded or damaged.

• Inspect the exterior skin fittings and replace any that appear corroded or damaged.
• Check the motion of portholes, hatches and companionway doors. They should open and close smoothly with no binding.
• Inspect all through-hull fittings for signs of leakage, corrosion or damage. Replace any damaged ones immediately as well as those that are leaking or corroded to a point where they could fail at sea if not replaced.

Check all exposed wiring for chafing or loose connections on both inside and outside the boat.

Check all exposed wiring for chafing or loose connections on both inside and outside the boat. If you find any wire that looks like it’s damaged, corroded or has loose terminal ends, replace it immediately.

The same goes for batteries; check them over to make sure they’re still in good condition, and if they aren’t, get them replaced before you go out sailing this season.

Inspect standing rigging for wear or corrosion at all terminals and turnbuckles.

For all the other small repairs, you’ll need a tool kit, which can be purchased at most marine supply stores. Your tool kit should include:

• A screwdriver set with several different sized flat blade and Phillips head drivers
• A variety of sockets and wrenches in various sizes (both metric and SAE)
• An adjustable wrench (aka crescent wrench)

Clean and lubricate winches, turning blocks, traveler cars and other hardware with rust preventive oil or grease.

You can use a dedicated brush to clean the winch, but you’ll need a paper towel or rag to wipe away any excess oil.

Make sure your halyards are in good working order by inspecting them for fraying or wear and tear. Check the terminals on your control lines as well; if they appear worn down, you may want to replace them.

Spend a little time preparing your boat and it will give you hours of enjoyment out on the water

You should spend a little time preparing your boat. Spending too much time will be a waste, but spending too little will almost certainly lead to disappointment. You shouldn’t spend too much money on preparation, but it doesn’t make sense to skimp either.

Conclusion

We hope this list has helped you get started with preparing your boat for the season. It may seem like a lot, but it’s worth the effort. The more you do now, the less work will be on your plate later when preparing for launch or dry-dock. If you’re looking to buy a new vessel and don’t know where to begin, give us a call at (800) 555-5555 ext 3 and we’ll help find just what you need!