Spring Boat Checklist. If you’re going to be planning lots of boating trips to make the most of the upcoming warmer season, it is essential to ensure your boat is ready to hit the water while you have fun in the sun.
Here is the essential six-step spring boat checklist for preparing yourself for the warmer days so you and your family can be safe out on the water!
1- A Battery Checkup
It is always a better idea to perform a detailed battery checkup than to tow your boat back to the dock after encountering battery-related problems. To make things simpler, there are several types of battery tester available these days for your convenience. Testing each integrated battery on your boat that operates different devices is imperative, especially if they are over three-years-old.
You can check your boat’s deep cell trolling motor to ensure the batteries still hold their charge. If that’s not the case, you should immediately get them replaced, readying yourself for stress-free boating trips for at least a few more years.
2- The Fuel System Inspection
Inspecting your boat’s fuel system is just as essential as checking its batteries’ durability. It is best to ensure there aren’t any leaking fuel lines or cracks that can affect the engine’s performance and also make your boat prone to on board fires. Moreover, you should make sure to thoroughly inspect your boat’s lines and fittings from the tank to the engine connection.
3- Safety First!
The next big step is to ensure all your safety equipment is in place. Remember that signal flares and fire extinguishers have expiration dates, so you might need to replace them. First aid kits should also be checked for all the essentials that you might need if there’s an emergency on the water.
4- The On-Board System Check
In addition to the safety-first equipment, you should also inspect if your boat’s navigation system and anchor lights are in working condition. The lights might need to be cleaned as they often get corrosion buildup on their pins while they are in storage.
5- The Critters Damage
Little critters often take up residence in vessels during the winters. That’s why it is essential to make this quick visual inspection a part of your spring boat checklist in the warmer season to locate any unwanted surprises that can effectively ruin your boating trip. Checking your anchor and docking lines can save you from a lot of trouble in case the critters have chewed on your stewed cables.
6- Trailer Structure
Many people often ignore this final step, which leads them to face the consequences afterward. Inspecting the integrity of your boat’s trailer structure by checking its tires, bunks or rollers, and the light system is a good practice for avoiding any unnecessary problems on your trip.
This spring boat checklist will go a long way to make your future boating trips more enjoyable and secure, preventing the frustrations of failed systems. Happy boating!
EZ Dock Texas provides advice and tips to waterfront property owners and offers dock installation services in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Call today at 800-654-8168 for your quote.
