It’s time to bring out the boats

While I still see the occasional vehicle driving down the Parks Highway with a snowmachine on board, that’s getting rare. The snow is gone locally and it’s time to think about getting the summer “toys” ready for another season. Don’t forget to “summerize” your winter toys first!

If you put your boat and trailer away last fall properly winterized, then getting it ready for this coming season should be relatively simple. If you didn’t, then more work is probably going to be involved.

My riverboat has an inboard jet unit. An engine oil and filter change is warranted if I didn’t do so last fall. I write the date installed and engine hours on the fuel filter and change it at least every second year, depending on how many hours I’ve run the engine. I’ll grease the main bearing on the drive shaft to the impellors and ready the sand trap. I’ll check the heat exchanger and retighten the end caps on the tube where the water flow cools the engine antifreeze. That almost takes care of the engine items.

Next, I like to check the batteries, topping off the fluid with distilled water if necessary. All the lights are tested along with the GPS unit, the horn, the engine compartment blower, and the bilge pump. I’ll usually turn on the CB and VHF radios and listen for a transmission, but most times, I won’t pick up a signal until I’m out on the water. I can always receive something on the built-in AM/FM radio.

Then I move to the trailer. Tire air pressures are checked, and air is added to inflate the tire to its normal pressure if needed. Lug nuts are checked for tightness and I usually pump a little grease into each hub to lubricate the wheel bearings. I’ll look for any loose nuts and bolts and hook up the electrical connection to my truck and test running lights, turn signals, and brake lights. I’ll check the tie-down straps and the winch and safety chain connections to make sure the boat stays on the trailer while towing!

Now I’m ready to launch the boat into a local lake for a test run to make sure the engine is running properly. After installing the drain plug (I have forgotten to do that once), I’ll back the trailer into the water and start the engine. If I didn’t flush the manifolds last fall, and even if I did, I’ll usually flush the manifolds again. Sand tends to build up inside the manifolds and flushing it out keeps things flowing more smoothly.=

Once the engine is running and warmed up, I’ll launch the boat and run it for an hour or so around the lake to make sure things are working as they should, including the operator – me!

After this initial test run, I’ll usually go through the equipment storage areas (under the bench seats) and check for in-date flares and other signaling devices. I carry a tool box, spare fuel filter, extra oil filter, a couple of quarts of engine oil and some antifreeze in case something happens when I’m out on the river or lake. I think I have an extra fan belt too, but I’ll have to check on that.

I’ve learned the hard way that having sufficient heavy nylon lines to operate my two “endless” come-along manual winches are a “must have” when I run aground in shallow water. And, of course, I need to check out all the fishing related gear as well. Landing nets, clubs, fillet knives, pliers, and the downrigger set-ups all need to be inspected.

I usually carry float coats for my wife and I and float vests for any passengers and they need a once-over as well. I check to make sure the insurance card and the boat and trailer registrations are current and located where I can find them if needed.

With all of this done, I’m ready to visit one of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety inspection sites normally operating over Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. If the boat passes their inspection, and it always has, I’m in good shape for enjoying the summer boating season!

This spring’s inspection sequence should go relatively quickly since I’ve only run the boat once since I had a major tune-up performed on the engine and associated systems. Nothing was wrong; I just figured it was time for a professional mechanic to check things out. All went well!