Prepping your boat for Spring Launch

Ready … Set … Go Boating

Ice and snow recedes and spring return to "Norse" boating regions of the U.S. if you are a Michigan or Great Lakes Skipper, you're eager to get the next sailing season started. As you look forward to the first fine weekend on the dock or at sea, spend some time on pre-season preventive maintenance that can help make all your summer fun.

A big key to your spring maintenance is determined by how the boat was stowed away for winter. If you stored your boat away dry, indoors or with a good coverage, properly winterized, clean and uncluttered with disconnected batteries drained and fluids changed, so you will have less to gain in the spring. Let's pretend you did all the right things in the fall and focus on some additional ideas could help get your season off on right foot. You might go along with Service Manager at your local full service marina for his advice and to plan necessary work before the store's schedule fills up.

How do you cover your boat? If you are outdoors and shrink, be sure to work with your boat yard or local recycling center environmentally friendly disposal of your shrink-wrap. This plastic is actually recycled and you can do your part by keeping it out of landfill – Do not throw it in the container. Many boat yards and shoreline communities have recycling programs.

Now that the cover is off, you must perform your own inspection of tires and underwater hardware and hull bottom and deck conditions. Check bow rail stanchions that may have come loose under the cover and re-bed them if necessary, properly sealed to prevent moisture penetration. Check all other deck fittings – cleats, pads, drains and more – to ensure they are properly sealed. Use extra time areas at or below the waterline, such as trim loss and swim platform mounts, sensor and pump thru-hull, raw water pick-ups and other areas to be inspected every years for proper seal. Long-term weeps moisture past these seals can suck Coring materials in your transom or hull, creates more problems later. When you are sure, it Caulker.

How does your bottom look like? A fresh coat of paint will fall dirt removal easier and improves driving performance during the season. Sand flakes areas and a thin layer of fresh bottom paint before launch. If the bottom has excessive accumulation or unmanageable peeling, you should consult your boat yard on a strip and repaint jobs. If you take it down to just gelcoat, be sure to properly prepare the surface before a new use of your barrier coat and bottom paint.

Think back to last season for a mental examination of some of your boat's components.

How old are your batteries? If you can not remember when they were last changed so check the label date or receipt file. Do not put last year's troublemaker back in the boat. Replace it. A dead battery at the launch ramp or pulling anchor off the beach can be a day-spoiler.

When was your last oil & filter change? Boat owners are split about 50-50 on their preferences for the Fall or spring oil change. But by all means, start the new season with "fresh" oil, whether it was poured in October or April. And do not forget your mid-season or in the next 50 engine hours, whichever comes first.

When did you last modified impellers? Water pump impellers tend to shrink or become brittle over time and lose their effectiveness. Do not run hot – change your paddle wheels to prevent a problem before launch.

If your boat is a stern drive, where was your last stern drive service? Drive service should be performed annually prior to launch, to prevent costly mistakes later. If your boat is an inboard when you last have your customized shafts? This can only happen after the launch, but should take place annually to reduce the clutch shaft and cutlass bearing wear. If you noticed any vibrations last season, you should be checking alignment and props before launch. For inboard sailors as well, spring strategy is the right time to inspect shaft seals. If your shaft is frequently than dripping 10 drops per minute, your shaft log to be tightened or repackaged. Do not let water run into your pond from leaking shaft seals. Tighten or replace as needed.

Following the launch immediately check for leaks from the through hull and check all engine hoses and belts while the engine is running. Tighten the clamps as needed and plan to replace any suspect hoses. Carefully monitoring engine temperature during this initial start up to ensure your engine is cooling system works and see other critical gauges – oil pressure, alternator output – to ensure your engine is running properly before you get started. Before you come away from dock for the first time, briefly and gently move into the forward and reverse, while scratch-off to ensure the engine does not stall and moving properly into and out of gear. If your boat is trailerable, you can perform many of these tasks using a garden hose and engine intake sleeves. See your marine technician for advice.

Your boat is for your enjoyment and maintenance need not be expensive. In fact, proper maintenance much cheaper than neglected maintenance. See your local full service marina or marine supply store for more helpful service proposal. And have a great sailing season!

About the Author

Tighe Curran is the General Manager of Pier 33 a Michigan Boat Dealership. Tighe and his team of highly experienced boating experts provide the greater Midwest area with the best services in regards to new Chaparral boats, used boat sales, docking services, boat repairs and boating accessories. Check out www.Pier33.com today to see a listing of boats for sale, expert boating insight and marina information.

Indoor Gardening Supplies Michigan in the news.

Indoor Gardening Supplies Michigan Video