Who’s getting the itch? It’s not quite that time yet to pull off the tarp, hitch that baby up, and drag it on out to the lake. Nope, not quite that time but it’s coming! Boating season is right around the corner and Anchor Marine Repair has all the information that you need to know when it comes to getting your boat out of storage and safely back onto the water!
The last thing anyone wants to see is their boat going into the water and then quickly sinking to the bottom of the lake. The thought of turning around and only seeing a massive amount of bubbles and no boat will send shivers up the spine of any boat owner! So let’s make sure all of our boxes are all checked before gliding that baby back onto the water. Our four tips are as follows:
- Check the boat – Once you pull your baby out, do a thorough cleaning of it. Even if it was cleaned before being put away in storage, do it again! Wipe down the interior, power wash the bottom, vacuum the top! While doing this, check for dings, dents, scratches and anything else that may have happened in storage. Apply wax to the surface and a new coat of bottom paint to keep the upcoming season’s slime and barnacles from damaging the hull!
- Check the engine – Look over the fuel system, charge and test the battery, inspect the propeller for damage, and check the belts and cables for wear and tear. These are all must do things before you ever try to launch your boat out in the water. Keep in mind, this must be done in a well ventilated area, starting any type of engine in an enclosed space can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Safety first – Once you have checked the boat through and through, make sure that all of your safety equipment is in working order. Is there equipment that has expired? Have your life preservers deteriorated over the winter months? Is your fire extinguisher in working order? These questions are all important before launching that bad boy into the water.
- Lastly, check the trailer – A boat is only as good as the trailer that gets it to the water! All too often, boaters get so excited about boating season that they forget to check the trailer and end up with a rotten tire broken down on the side of the road. So check the tires, check your brake lights and connections, check the straps and chains so that your boat isn’t lost during a tow, and make sure your registration is current.
These are the basic necessities that every good boat owner should know to do before entering the water! Whether you have stored your boat with us all winter season, or you have your own storage, going through these steps will ensure that you have a great start to your boating season! If for some reason your boat does not seem ready for the water, please call Anchor Marine Repair today – your one stop repair shop! Contact us at 763-972-3540.
