Preparing your boat for spring is one of the most crucial things we recommend you do to ensure its performance and maintenance, and by extension, a riveting spring for boating and trips to the lake. It’s not quite a one-step process, but with the help of a checklist, you can extend your boat’s life and put your mind at ease knowing it’ll run efficiently and safely every time you hit the lake.
Knowing what you need to do when you are out on your boat is important, but nine out of ten sticky situations on the water can be prevented with the proper boat upkeep. Wizard Lake Marine has put together a recommended checklist to help you prepare your boat for every adventure during the spring season. Check out our Spring Boating Checklist below, or contact us for more information.
- Take inventory of your safety equipment and ensure all required equipment and items are in the boat. Make certain the fire extinguisher is fully charged and confirm the date. Also, check that the battery inside your waterproof flashlight is in good working condition.
- Inspect the wheel nuts on the trailer and confirm they are tight and that the tires have accurate pressure. Ensure the condition of the tires is good by looking for excessive wear or cracking.
- Confirm all lights on the trailer, including reverse lights, are working when hooked up to the vehicle.
- Inspect breakaway cable, safety chains, and rear tie–downs.
- Verify all hull plugs are connected in the boat.
- Ensure that the cables are attached firmly with clean connections, and all batteries in the boat are charged.
- Check all drive/engine/transmission fluids for accurate levels. Add as needed.
- Check the operation of the bilge pumps and blower.
- Examine the propeller and ensure the prop nut is tight.
- Check for leaks in the fittings and fuel tank.
- When your boat is backed into the water at boat launch, have the engine compartment open. Check to make sure hoses and belts are tight. Start the engine and look for leaks prior to removing the boat from the trailer.
- Test the operation of all boat options when out on the water. It is vital to put the boat in the water at the start of the season to rectify any issues before the season is underway. Once the season is in full swing, you may experience parts delays and service waits due to high volume demand.
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