Spring Boat Service Tips Every Boat Owner Should Know
Getting your boat ready for a long summer of fun starts in the spring.
There’s a reason why so many boat shows and inventory sales go on this time of year. People are planning trips, booking slips, and getting ready for a summer of fun on the water.
Regular boat service at the start of each new year of boating is essential. It will help keep your boat running great and help you avoid problems while you’re out on the water during the warmer months.
But what kinds of boat service do you need to perform to get your vessel in working order?
We’re breaking down what you need to know to clean, prep, and stock your recreational boat. Keep reading to learn the steps you need to take and the supplies that are best for the job.
Start With a Good Cleaning
The first thing on your boat service to-do list this spring should be to give your boat a thorough cleaning.
If you live in a cold weather climate, salt from roadways put down for snow can attach itself to your boat’s exterior. This salt can corrode any metal on the outside of your boat, leaving rust streaks in its wake.
Even if you live somewhere that doesn’t get snow, it’s a good idea to wash away any grime that accumulated while your boat was in storage. This helps keep your paint new and shiny and prevents any buildup of residue that would be even more difficult to get off later if left untouched now.
Choose the Right Materials for the Job
Before you give your boat a bath, make sure that you have the right supplies.
You’ll want to use a mild detergent to keep from damaging your boat’s paint job. A soap designed for washing marine vessels is best. But if you don’t have that, car soap, or in a pinch, laundry soap will work as well.
Keep in mind that many soaps are not designed for use on canvas or other materials besides the outside hull of your boat. Getting soap on other materials can damage or discolor them.
If you need to clean your boat’s seats, covers, or other parts made from softer materials, make sure that you use a cleaner designed for this specific purpose. You should also use a very soft brush to avoid ripping or damaging them.
You should also use a soft bristled brush when washing the outside of your boat. While your boat may feel durable, the clearcoat finish can be easily stripped away if you use a brush that is too abrasive.
This is also a great time to wax and detail your boat. This will help keep your boat looking great for years to come, not to mention looking great when you hit the water for the first time this season!
Give Your Boat a Once-Over
While you’re cleaning your boat from top to bottom, this is also a great time to check it over for any damage that may have occurred getting it into storage or while it wasn’t in use.
Check the hull for scratches, holes, or signs of rust and other damage. If you notice any of these issues, be sure to fix them before you hit the water. Even a seemingly minor issue can become a major one when you’re far from land and without the necessary supplies to get the job done.
There are also a few things that you should check out inside in your boat.
Look for any signs of damage. This includes checking cushions for tears, the deck for cracks, etc.
Another great idea is to test out your navigational equipment and safety features such as your horn or lights. It’s better to find and fix problems now than to be left without vital supplies in case of an emergency on the water.
You should also give your life jackets a once over.
If life jackets are put away without drying properly or get wet while in storage, mold and mildew can form. This can break down the material that allows the life jacket to keep you afloat, shortening its lifespan.
Check your life jackets for signs of mildew, mold, tears, or other damage, and replace them if necessary.
Finally, be sure to stock up your first aid kit. Replace any expired products or add new to replace anything you used during the previous season.
Pump Out Standing Water
Even if your boat has been inside or under a cover, water can still sometimes find its way inside.
Another necessary step of every spring boat service should be to pump out this standing water and clean the inside thoroughly.
Leaving the water sitting can cause mold and mildew to form. If the water has already been sitting in your vessel all winter, you may already be suffering from early signs of this. But cleaning anywhere that water was sitting can help get rid of the residue as well as the foul, musty smell that comes with it.
Charge Your Battery
If your boat has been sitting unused for a while, there is a good chance that your boat battery will be dead.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at the lake excited for a day on the water only to find that you have no power.
Charging your battery up now will help you avoid this.
While you’re checking your battery, it’s also a good idea to check any electrical cables running through your boat. While in storage, mice and other rodents can easily get inside. They may chew through wires without you even realizing that they have been there.
Checking now for any frayed, chewed, or otherwise damaged wiring now can help you avoid shortages or even fires when you start up your boat later on.
Prep Your Motor
Even if the rest of your boat is looking great, if your motor isn’t running properly, you won’t be getting very far.
When you get your boat out of storage and perform boat service and boat dewinterization to get it ready for the water, checking your motor should be a big item on your checklist.
Not only does prepping your motor now ensure its ready for the season, but it also gives you a chance to get any replacement parts you find you need, so you won’t miss out on any valuable warm weather!
Inboard Motors
If you own an inboard motor, the first thing you’ll want to do is change your oil and oil filter. Dirty oil can corrode your motor, and cause your motor to burn more fuel than it needs. If left long enough, bad oil can even cause your motor to fail, leaving you stranded.
After you’ve changed your oil, you’ll want to check your fuel tanks and fuel pumps for signs of damage or leaks. Do the same with your bilge blower.
Finally, take a wire brush to your battery terminals to get rid of any corrosion or debris that could cause a short.
Outboard Motors
Outboard motors have different boat service needs than inboard motors.
While you won’t need to change the oil, you will need to change your spark plugs or at least stock your boat with replacements in case one goes out while you’re on the water.
Next, check your motor’s fuses for any signs of corrosion.
To ensure that your motor will run well this season and continue to run well in the future, you’ll want to oil any moving parts. It’s much easier to get inside your engine now and make sure that everything is running order than it will be to try to fix your motor when an issue occurs on the water.
Like with an inboard motor, you’ll still want to check your fuel tank and fuel line for any signs of a leak.
Update Your Registration
While this step may not directly involve boat service, it’s still important.
Checking to make sure that your registration and boating license is up-to-date. Not only should it be up-to-date, but your boat should also have the necessary stickers displayed or paperwork onboard at the start of the season.
When you’re preparing for your first trip out on your boat for the year, it can be easy to misplace paperwork or forget to go get your new registration. Checking off those boat service tasks now, before the season starts, can help you avoid costly legal trouble later on.
Start Your Seasonal Boat Service Today
Getting your vessel ready for a season of fun on the water starts with a seasonal boat service session.
From cleaning your boat to prepping your motor, checking for damage, and getting your registration in order, these simple boat service tasks can help ensure that your summer of boating goes smoothly.
Don’t have a boat to service this season, or considering upgrading? Now is a great time. Check out our inventory to start shopping for your new boat today!
