It’s that time of year again. In the boating world there is an annual rite, spring fitting out. In most places in North America, boats are hauled out or put away for the winter, and then in the spring, brought out for the new boating season. But for safe and trouble free boating there are things that need to be done every year before you put that boat back in the water. Some are obvious, like cleaning, painting, waxing, and generally making the boat look good. But there are others which are much more important, especially if you want a safe smooth running boat. At the end of this I will add some references to very complete lists of things to do during Spring fitting out.
I will divide this into power boats and sailboats. Some items are common to both, but there are some which are specific to the type of boat. I will not cover inspecting the hull and decks on wood boats. There have been many books written about this. There are many websites and youtube.com videos showing how to inspect and repair wood boats.
Common items:
cleaning
waxing
painting
Go over the whole boat, inside and out, and make a to-do list of items that need fixing.
Inspect and test the entire electrical system. Replace any old or frayed wires, corroded connectors or fuses. (most electrical problems are due to bad or corroded connectors). Don't scrimp here. Good wiring and connectors are crucial to an electrical system's operation.
Charge and test batteries: Do this under load if possible. Replace old weak batteries. Clean the battery terminals.
Check and test to make sure all electrical and electronics work properly.
Check safety equipment.
Inspect lifejackets/flotation devices for wear and tear, mold and mildew. Replace as needed.
Inspect fire extinguishers and have them tested.
Inspect anchors, chains and anchor lines. Anchors may need to be cleaned and painted. Anchor lines may need to be replaced. Do not scrimp. If lines are old and frayed, replace them.
Check and test bilge pumps. Clean the bilge thoroughly.
Check and test running lights.
Check horn (and bell if required) to make sure they work.
Visual distress signals should be examined. If they are beyond their use by day, replace them. Dispose of the old ones correctly, they are hazardous materials.
Underwater fittings: Inspect sea cocks and other through hull fittings. Make sure all valves work. Disassemble them and lubricate. Check for blockages from barnacles, sea growth and other obstructions such as plastic bags on engine cooling water intakes and growth inside the intake.
Inspect and lubricate steering systems.
Stoves and other appliances: Check to see they are working and if the need routine maintenance, do it. If they use propane or CNG check the entire system for leaks, corrosion, or other problems. Read the owner's manual that came with the appliance.
Continue in the paid content for specifics on motorboats and sailboats.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Peter’s Substack to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.