That wonderful time of year finally arrived! It’s time to get the boats out of winter storage and into the water. You’ve been patiently waiting through the cold, dreary winter days. Now it’s time to soak up the sunshine while cruising across the bay in your boat. But there’s one step you must take first: de-winterize your boat.
You can’t take your boat directly from storage to the water. The de-winterizing process helps shake off winter and prepare your vessel for smooth spring riding. We created this guide so you won’t miss a step. If you need any maintenance or parts before hitting the water, visit RVs and Boats for Less. You’ll find us in Pocatello, Idaho.
Inspect Your Boat
The process starts with a visual check of your boat. Remove any coverings, then open all the hatches and peek inside. There may be hidden debris or broken parts that need to be fixed. Look around the boat for any cracks that could lead to issues on the water. Examine every area for mold and mildew. This can cause severe damage to your boat, so you will want to address them the moment you notice them. Pay careful attention to sneaky spots like canvas cushions, covers, and carpet.
You’ll also want to inspect your motor. If you have an onboard motor, open up the motor bay and look around. If you have an inboard engine, open the engine bay and examine it.
Check the Engine
Start up your engine before you take your first voyage. You want to catch any engine issues in the safety of your dock, not in the middle of the water. Check your coolant and oil fluid levels and top off any that are low. Look around the gaskets and engine heads for any leaks. Make sure your spark plugs work and haven’t corroded.
Test the Electronics
Make sure the various electrical systems still work, such as your GPS and fish finders. Use a multimeter to check the batteries and replace if needed. It’s much better to discover they don’t work now than when you try to use them on the water on a trip.
Examine the Covers
Your covers are meant to protect your boat from the harsh elements around it. This won’t work too well if the covers have holes! Look for any rips or tears, as well as any mold or mildew. Patch up any small holes before the expand out into larger ones.
While you’re at, check your seat covers. They can get weakened by the exposure to UV light. They can also be a hiding spot for mold and mildew.
Final Cleaning
Once you’ve made sure everything is in good working order, you can give your boat a cleaning before taking it out. Hopefully, you washed it before putting it into winter storage. It makes the spring cleaning much easier, so if you didn’t be sure to add it to the list for next season.
Polish the chrome accents. Use glass cleaner on the windows. Sweep up any dust. Clear out any debris. While you clean, you can also use this as an opportunity to check your safety equipment. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and toolkit.
We know it can be tough delaying your first spring trip out on the water. But running through this list helps keep your boat running as smoothly as possible. If you discover you need any parts or maintenance during your de-winterizing process, visit RVs and Boats for Less. We proudly serve those in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls, Idaho. We also serve those in Salt Lake City and Logan, Utah.
