Preparing your boat for launch at the beginning of the new season

When spring appears on the horizon it is nearly time to get your boats back out on the water. Before you do though there are a few important steps you should take to ensure your boat is prepared properly for the season.

You can’t just take it out of storage and send it off into the ocean or river straight away. It needs preparation.

Remember, in order for your boat to survive and last you a long time without breaking down or succumbing to a number of ‘ailments’ you need to treat it with care. This is most certainly the case when you are putting it back in the water for the first time since the previous season.

I do believe it was Benjamin Franklin who once said that ‘by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail’. So listen to this founding fathers advice and get to work.

Fuel
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Before you put your boat into storage over the cold season it is always important to remove the gasoline from the tank in your boat to prevent moisture from building up in it. And then, as you are preparing your boat for this coming season it is always wise to add a little gas treatment with the first new tank.

Oil
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This is one of the first things that should be considered as you will need to prepare this a bit in advance. The oil that has been sitting stationary for a while will congeal and can become very thick. Some people like to change their oil once every few seasons, but I would advise you to change it once a year to alleviate any worries you may have about the condition of the old oil.

If you are using an inboard motor then changing the oil can be a little tricky, so if you are unsure as to how to do it properly then you should always ask a mechanic.

Battery
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If you removed any plugs during the winterization of your boat then you should always make sure that they are all put back in place before you crank the engine. You should also make sure that you recharge your battery to ensure it is full of energy.

Make stringent checks
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You should always check the hull for abrasions, scratches and gouges and if you come across any then you should make an effort to fix them. You should also check to see if the paintwork needs touching up and if any anti fouling agents need replacing.

Sails
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If you have a sailing boat then you should always inspect the sails before launching your boat. You should check their general condition and look for wear and chafing. Battens and batten pockets should also be checked along with any sail attachments.

Mast and rigging
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You should also inspect your mast and rigging making sure that there isn’t any corrosion or damage to the mast itself and the spreaders. The rivets and screws should also be checked and replaced if they have suffered from any corrosion. Other things that should be checked include the reefing points and the rigging, turnbuckles and clevis pins for wear and corrosion. Make sure that the masthead fitting and pulleys are both in good condition and then check the halyards and consider replacing or swapping end for end.

If you follow all of these pieces of advice then you should be fine heading into the new season, but don’t stick strictly to this guide. If you spot anything else that you think needs changing or repairing then don’t hesitate to do so, or at least check with an expert before heading out to sea.

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