Spring Commissioning
Whether you haul out for the winter or are lucky enough to live in a climate with year-round access to water, spring is the ideal time for tuning, toning, tightening and brightening to assure trouble-free boating in the peak season soon upon us. Here is a check-list you can use as a guide to get your boat ready for the season.
General Boat Items:
- Fiberglass and gel coat repairs
- Wash and polish
- Bottom paint
- Zincs
- Loose screws (esp. rails)
- Bright work
- Electrical circuits, bulbs
- Fuel tanks filled
- Life saving equipment
- Canvas tops, curtains
- Fenders and dock lines
- Mooring
- Registration #s and current sticker
- Outer drain plug
- Inner drain plug
- Owner’s manual
- Keys
Engine Items – Outboards, Inboards, and I/Os
Here are some other things you should check in your engine, unless they were part of your list when winterizing:
- Tune up or overhaul
- Oil
- Transmission
- Test run
- Compression, spark
- Carburetor (signs of varnish?)
- Clean battery case/ terminals/cable ends
- Add distilled battery water; apply corrosion inhibitor terminals
- Battery clamp or strap
- Flange nuts, not wing nuts, on cables
- Change spark plugs
- Thermostats
- Pressure relief valve
- Secondary fuel filter
- Replace water separator
- Clean/lube starter
- Oil tanks (water, dirt, filters)
- Bleed oil injection system
- Lube (dirt or water)
- Water pump
- Seals on prop shaft and under pump
- Prop: repair/balance as needed
- Top off gear lube, check washers
- Shift shaft
- Paint
Mechanical Items
- Dash gauges
- Fuel gauges
- Blower
- Water pump
- Controls
- Steering
- Bilge pump (auto and manual)
- Power tilt
- Hoses/clamps
- All belts
- All thru hulls
- Battery installed charged
- Lights
- Horn
- Wipers
- Compass
- Fire extinguisher installed charged
- Radio
- Fathometer
For more boat maintenance tips and “how to” advice, visit the Boat Maintenance & Repair section of the ABA website.
A final word of caution, whether you use a mechanic to do your spring commissioning or you do it yourself, make sure your drain plugs are in place before launching!
Source: americanboating.org