Snag-A-Slip’s Spring Boating Checklist

After a long winter, the temptation is strong to just wing it – pull your boat out of storage and hope for the best. Take it from us, it’s not a good idea. The truth is, it doesn’t take a whole lot of time or effort to get your boat suitably prepped for the season. As long as you took the time to properly winterize it in the fall, it can be checked and in ship-shape in no time.

Here’s Snag-A-Slip’s very manageable boating checklist of things you’ll need to do, or have done, before sailing into the sunset. Keep in mind that tasks will vary depending on the boat you own, and the type of boating you do. Regardless of whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or you have the maintenance professionals at the marina handle these tasks, make sure all the boxes have been checked.

Important Documents

Pull out your license, registration, and other important documents to see if they’re up to date. If you have a new driver this year, take the time to help them learn the boat well, and consider having them take a safety boating course for good measure.

Life Jackets

Check your Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) making sure they’re in good condition, you have enough, and you have the appropriate sizes for everyone.

Flares and Fire Extinguishers

Make sure all fire extinguishers are the right class for your boat, and fully charged and mounted in the proper locations. While you’re at it, check that your flares have not expired.

Ropes and Lines

Look at your lines, checking for damage, chafing, or deterioration. Replace any that don’t pass muster.

Be sure your charts and maps are ready when you need them by updating or replacing them when necessary.

Kill Switch

A properly working kill switch is a must. Test it to be absolutely sure it will work when you need it to.

Emergency Lights

Inspect your emergency lights and signal devices to make sure they’re still working. While you’re at it, change the batteries.

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Running Lights

You want your running lights in working order. So, turn them on and take a look. Always replace any blown-out bulbs.

Battery

Inspect and clean all battery connections, and check the date – you’ll want to replace a battery that is older than three years.

Hoses and Clamps

Examine all hoses and clamps, replacing as necessary.

Propellers

Take a good look at your propellers, scanning for dings and cracks. They may seem small and trivial, but they can cause vibration and damage your drive train.

Hull

Inspect closely for cracks, distortions, or blisters, and have them repaired before they turn into bigger issues.

Fluid Levels

From engine oil to power steering reservoirs, check all of your fluid levels.

Cables

You want to pay special attention to cables, and replace them if you see signs of deterioration or wear – like cracks, swells or corrosion.

Fuel Lines, Filter, and Tanks

Inspect fuel lines, check and replace all fuel filters, and check your tanks.

Electrical Connections

Look over all electrical connections to make sure they are tight, and inspect for dirt or damage.

Bilge Pumps and Blower

Check the pumps for leaks, float switch operation, and corrosion. While you’re at it, check the blower in the bilge to make sure it’s humming along.

There you have it! Following this Spring boating checklist and properly caring for your boat means you’ll be able to enjoy this and future boating seasons, knowing you and your crew will have plain sailing.

Ready to pick your Spring destination? Search no farther than our Interactive Map!

This post originally appeared on the Captain’s Blog on Snag A Slip!