How To Prep Your Boat For Summer

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Once we say goodbye to winter and hello to blue skies and warmer weather, those of us who love to spend time on our boats begin to make plans to get out on the water. You probably didn’t use your boat over the winter months, so you’ll need to perform some maintenance steps before you take it out on the water. Boat maintenance is crucial both for your safety and for the longevity of the boat.

At The Ski Shack, we have lots of tips to keep your boat running in optimal condition so you don’t run into any issues when it’s time to get back out on the water. That’s why we’ve created this list of maintenance steps to get your vessel ready for summer. Looking for boats for sale? Be sure to stop by one of our dealerships in Springfield, Branson, and Shell Knob, MO to get matched with the perfect boat for your needs!

Hull & Topside

Begin by performing a thorough boat inspection to check for any cracks or blisters you may need to patch. To clean the hull, use a mild detergent that won’t damage the surface and finish off with a good coat of marine wax. If you choose to buff, be light, and keep moving quickly so you don’t end up leaving swirl marks on your boat. Use a light rubbing compound and a towel on problem areas, and never wax the non-skid parts of your boat. Also, make sure to double-check that all the products you use are compatible with your boat materials.

Mechanical Parts

The next thing you have to do is ensure your boat’s wires are not worn or corroded. When you leave your boat unused, sometimes rats or other vermin can chew through the wires. Replace or tighten any problem areas and spray a marine-grade corrosion inhibitor for future safety. Also check the throttle, shift, seacocks, and rudder cables. To get smooth movement, use a manufacturer-recommended grease or marine-grade Teflon. Open any seacocks that are needed for launch (like the freshwater intake one) and shut the rest.

If your boat has an outboard motor, condensation or rot could have settled in during the winter downtime. You’ll have to open the outboard cowlings to see if either are present. On a stern drive, check the outdrive bellows for any cracks or signs of wear and tear. You’ll have to check the heat exchangers to ensure they’re free from debris or any other obstruction and clean them thoroughly if required. Additionally, check the battery and clean the connectors before charging it and topping it off with distilled water.

Engine

If you hadn’t changed the engine oil before storage, it’s time to do that now. Make sure that the drive belts, fuel lines, hoses, and clamps are functioning properly. Take off the distributor cap and inspect both cap and rotor for any signs of carbon buildup, rust, or moisture. Check the condition of the plug wires as well. Make sure all fluids are topped up before your boat trip.

When you check your spark plugs, if you decide they need to be replaced, you should first start the engine and let the fogging solution burn off from the cylinders. As a preventive measure, change the cooling water impellers. Make sure both the bilge pump and blower are working well. Zincs prevent corrosion from the electrical charge in seawater so if they're rusted, you should change them. You’ll have to connect freshwater to the engine and start it to see if there are any fuel or starting issues.

Miscellaneous

If you’re using a boat trailer, ensure that all the tires, electrical connections, lights, signals, and wheel bearings are good to go. You’ll have to check that all your safety gear, like life jackets and floatables, is up to code. All the items in your first-aid kit should be safe to use and within their expiry period. Also check safety equipment like flares, fire extinguishers, etc. to make sure they’ll be ready for use when you need them.

Boat Repair in Springfield and Branson

We hope you’ll find these tips useful for your summer boating preparations! If you need professional repair services or are looking for boats for sale in Springfield, Branson, (Indian Point), and Shell Knob, MO, contact The Ski Shack and one of our expert staff will gladly help you out! We’re proud to be the chosen boat dealer for our friends from Nixa!