Get Your Boat Checked for Summer!

Summer has just about arrived, and with it comes the summer boating season. Before you spend all your free time at the marina in Lewiston, CA, it’s important to make sure your boat is ready for the new season. Otherwise, your relaxing getaway could quickly turn into a stressful experience.

You should always consult your owner’s manual to determine all of the necessary boating maintenance steps you need to take, especially when it comes to your engine. Here’s a quick overview of what most boat owners will need to do to get the season off to a good start.

De-winterize your boat

If you haven’t already done this, this will be the first step you need to take. If you store your boat seasonally, that means it spends at least three or four months (or more, in other parts of the country) unused. Extreme swings in temperature plus exposure to salt air can result in dry rot in hoses and rubber parts. Any fuel that was left in the tank could break down, or moisture inside the boat, its motor or its electrical systems could result in corrosion.

You’ll need to fully inspect all the most important systems in your boat to make sure they’re in good condition.

Give it a tune-up

Work with a professional to tune up your boat to ensure it’s in good shape and maximize your efficiency. Doing this along with de-winterization is an effective way to get your boat up to “ship shape” after the winter. In addition to inspecting the necessary systems in your boat to make sure they’re good to go, the mechanic will also test the spark plugs, perform a compression test, check (and change) lubricants, inspect warning alarms and do any other types of maintenance tasks or services you need for your boat to be fully prepared for the new season.

Other checks include battery checks, removing and replacing the filters and checking the condition of the water pump and thermostats.

Painting the bottom

If your boat stays in the water throughout the year, especially during the summer for extended periods of time, it’s a good idea to paint the bottom of the boat with anti-fouling paint so it can get through the year without seeing its condition degrade. The process should involve scraping and sanding the existing surface to remove growths, which will prevent drag and improve fuel efficiency.

Check accessories

Make sure all of your boat’s necessary accessories are present and in good condition. This includes visual distress signals, fire extinguishers, throw cushions, life jackets, navigation lights, bells and whistles, as well as anything else you frequently use (or need to have on hand) throughout the boating season.

Check the trailer

If you tend to haul your boat throughout the summer, make sure the trailer you use to do so is also in good condition. Grease the wheel bearings, make sure the tires are in good shape and check the functionality of turn signals and brake lights.

For more tips about getting ready for the boating season with boat repairs in Lewiston, CA, contact the team at Trinity Alps Marina.

Categorised in: Boat Maintenance

This post was written by Writer