The warm weather is now slowly arriving across the country as the winter becomes a memory. With the sunshine following the changing of the seasons, many boat owners are now considering the best techniques for removing their boat from storage and taking it out on the water. In this post, our boat service experts provide tips for taking a boat out of winter storage.
The first step in removing your boat from the storage space is to complete some general inspection to ensure it remains in optimal condition. Analyze the screws, bolts, and other fittings to ensure they’re properly secured within the boat. Inspect the dock and anchor lines for signs of material chaffing. You may also wish to examine the hull for cracks and blistering.
While, as an experienced boater, you might be able to check the boat for signs of potential structural problems, it’s important to have your boat reviewed carefully by service professionals before taking it out on the water. The boat service team will complete a comprehensive check, which includes analyzing the fuel lines, cleaning the battery cables and checking your battery water levels. They will also test fuel tanks for signs of leakage.
Now that your boat and its components have been inspected carefully by service professionals, you can begin to prepare for a new season on the water by stocking up on all required safety supplies. Count the number of life jackets you have available and ensure there are enough for the use of all passengers for the coming year. You should also ensure the boat’s fire extinguisher hasn’t expired over the winter months.
During the winter months, the interior and exterior areas of your boat might have gathered dirt and grime. You’ll likely have to take a day just to clean the boat and make sure it’s in ideal condition for inviting passengers over the coming months. Cleaning work might include polishing hard surfaces and vinyl seating, vacuuming the interior and power-washing the windows and deck.
You’re now ready to take your boat out on the open water for the first time in 2016. But remember to keep a close eye on all system elements during the first voyage of the year. There might have been a small issue you’ve missed during the cleanup and maintenance process, and so you’ll need to be extra vigilant throughout this first trip on the water. Our trusted boat service professionals are available at any time to answer your questions and help you complete maintenance of your vessel. To learn more, contact our team directly.
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