Getting your boat ready for the season

According to the calendar, spring is here. We’ve passed the spring equinox and done the “spring forward” thing with the clocks. However, we’re still experiencing periodic snow showers here in Big Lake and it’s not done yet! As far as I’m concerned, it’s still a toss-up regarding which season we’re in right now.

But, allowing the benefit of the doubt here, I’ll mention a few things we boaters can all begin doing to get the old tub ready for the upcoming season. I originally mentioned these tasks in a column eighteen years ago, and it’s still good advice to prepare for a trouble-free boating season.

Before we start on the boat, however, let’s discuss the boat trailer. Check tire pressures to make sure the tires are properly inflated. That includes your spare tire, too. If you have installed hubs on the trailer’s wheels that keep a positive grease pressure on the wheel bearings, a few pumps from your grease gun should have the bearings ready for another season of trailering. If not, then repacking the wheel-bearings may be the next step.

Hook your trailer up to the electrical system on the tow vehicle and check the trailer lights. Replace any burnt out bulbs and check for proper brake and turn-signal functioning. If everything checks out, you’re almost done with the trailer. If things “sorta-kinda” work but not all the time, don’t get frustrated. The first thing I look for is the condition of the ground wire on the trailer. A bad ground is often the cause of faulty or intermittent trailer lights.

While not necessary, pulling each trailer wheel off and applying some “anti-seize” compound on the lug bolts will make any need to change a flat later in the season much easier. Plus, the compound will give the steel some rust protection which helps the lug wrench turn a little easier when needed. Going over the trailer, once the boat has been launched, and tightening up any loose nuts and bolts will help assure a problem-free trailering season.

Now, let’s look at the boat itself. If you “winterized” the engine and pulled the battery last fall, then this preseason checkup will be much easier. Hopefully, you stored the battery where it wouldn’t freeze and periodically applied a trickle-charger to it to keep the battery’s status at “full-charge.” I was able to keep my original riverboat battery in great shape for 10 years following this procedure before I decided to replace it.

Next, I’ll clean the boat out, removing all the leaves and other debris it collected before it was stored last fall. My next step is to inspect the fire extinguishers for usability and check the dates on all my signal flares to make sure I’m legal. That always leads to going through all the gear I keep on board, like anchors and chains, anchor lines, extra tie-up lines, and gear to refloat the boat in the event I manage to ground it (and who hasn’t if they run the valley rivers at all). Anyone who says they’ve never grounded their boat is either lying or has about 10-minutes of running time on the water.

Now is also the time to update expired supplies in your first-aid kit and give each personal floatation device (PFD) a thorough inspection. Replace any PFD’s you find that are damaged or torn/worn.

After re-installing the battery, I check the electronics, like radios, for proper function. This year, I need to replace my broken CB antenna. I’ll try the steering and shift and throttle controls to make sure they move freely. Now, I’ll start checking the inboard engine.

I lubricate all the grease fittings with marine grease and replace the in-line fuel filter. A new set of spark plugs can be a cheap investment toward assuring a smooth-running engine. Next comes a change of oil and oil filter, sealing up the heat exchanger, and closing the sand trap.

About every other year, depending on how much I’ve run the boat, I’ll have a marine mechanic tune the engine and check the outdrive. Don’t forget an hour’s test run on a lake before launching in a river.

Finally, check to make sure your trailer is properly licensed and that your registration is current. Check your boat’s registration and make sure it is current, too. Getting a ticket for these small “oversights” will ruin your day. A paid-up boat insurance policy will protect both you and your investment as well.

We’ll see you on the water!