How to assure you float this spring
Every year we all say it — and we all mean it — this was a brutal winter.
With a rainy spring following our frigid, snowy winter all the elements are present that could lead to sinking your boat.
Nothing ruins a planned day on the water like discovering your boat’s a submarine headed south.
Now that’s not fun for anyone. In an effort to prevent that from happening, here's our spring checklist.
Please, don't overlook even a teeny drip or leak, as a slight bit of wetness can turn into a problem that can be sink-capable if ignored long enough.
- Check every nook and cranny for water tightness; turn a hose on any spot that looks vulnerable.
- Inspect the hull for cracks, blisters, dings, and dents.
- Check and replace dried-out caulking around hatches and ports.
- Ensure that thru-hull fittings are not corroded or cracked.
- Check engine coolant lines for proper fitting.
- Examine all shafts and readjust the stuffing box packing if necessary.
- Inspect the muffler and exhaust hose.
- Make sure that seacocks work properly and are not frozen open or shut.
- Clean debris from the scuppers.
- Be sure that the drain plug is properly installed.
- Confirm that the intake strainer is secure and corrosion-free.
- Replace all cracked or weak hoses for the head and air conditioning.
- Before you hook up to the dock’s fresh water system, ensure that fittings, clamps, and valves are tight and that the hose isn’t dried out.
- Check all thru-hull bolts, such as those securing the swim platform, speedometer, transducers, and struts.
- Check the out-drive unit of an inboard/outboard for damage or leaks.
Before you leave, check that all lines are intact and reinforce them as necessary. Hang out your fenders — you don’t want your boat banging into the dock during spring storms.
Finally, even if you don’t plan to start taking her out until Memorial Day or later, make it a regular practice your to visit your vessel and check the lines and look for signs of dampness.