Every summer, millions of eager boat owners take their boats out of winter storage for some fun in the sun. However, it’s not all fun and games when you first get your boat out of storage. You have to de-winterize your vessel before usage, but that seems like an awful lot of work. Relax. I’m here to tell you how to de-winterize your boat in ten easy steps that will help get you out on the water much sooner.
Take Off the Tarp and Check For Hibernating Animals:
The first step to de-winterizing your boat’s water system is to remove the tarp from the boat. This step is probably the most obvious, as nothing further can be accomplished until the tap is removed. When you remove the tarp, be sure to look for any creatures that may have made your vessel their winter home. If you skip this step, you run the risk of frightening the animal, which may cause it to attack you. Be sure to fold your tarp neatly and store it properly once you have removed it.
Clean the Canvas, Vinyl, and Carpeting:
Once you have removed your tarp in you have thoroughly checked your boat to ensure that it is free of hibernating critters, it’s time to clean. Specifically, this is the time when you will want to clean the canvas, the vinyl, and the carpeting in your boat. If your boat has been put up all winter, you are bound to have some dust, dirt, grime, and mold that may have accumulated over the past several months, even if you have had some type of covering on your boat. It doesn’t have to be spotless, but it has to be clean.
Check the Engine and the Propeller:
Two of the most important parts of your boat are the engine and the propeller. Without these things, you won’t find yourself out on the water anytime soon. The first thing you should do when you are checking the engine is to check your plugs to make sure that they are in good condition, replacing them if necessary. Another step that is a necessity when you are cleaning your engine after it’s been put away all winter is to drain any old fuel that may still be in it. Be sure to check your propeller for any cracks or chips.
Check and Refill the Cooling System:
This should be one of the easiest things for you to remember to do because you should be doing this with your car after every winter as well. Your boat’s cooling system will keep it from overheating in the summer, and it will also keep it from freezing over in the winter. Either of these can be potentially dangerous, as they can cause your engine to crack. When you are de-winterizing your boat for the summer, you need to be sure that you are draining the old antifreeze and adding fresh new coolant.
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Check the Thermostats and the Water Pump:
Check the Thermostats and the Water Pump:Just like with your car, your boat’s thermostat plays a vital part in keeping your vessel from overheating during those days of fun out in the sun. If the thermostat on your boat sticks, it will not open. If your thermostat cannot open, it cannot allow coolant to flow through the engine. If you have an outboard engine, it will use water that is drawn from the lake or ocean and cycles it through your engine. Whether you have an inboard or an outboard engine, it will need the water pump to function properly to do this.
Run a Quick Check On Your Cables and Hoses:
The cables and hoses on your boat are two things that will eventually deteriorate over time, no matter how frequently or how infrequently you use your boat. Cables are usually made of some type of metal, which can rust if it is not here forward properly. Houses are generally made of rubber, which can dry out, crack, and deteriorate over time. When you think of the vital role that the cables and hoses located on your boat play in its everyday operations, ensuring that they are in good working order is a must.
Make Sure That Your Battery Is Still Good:
Again, I am going to draw a comparison between your boat and your car or truck. Without a battery that is in good working order, your boat’s engine will not get the power it needs to start. Because most batteries will eventually lose their power over the winter, I would strongly suggest putting your battery on the charger first, and then seeing if it is still able to hold that charge. Checking your battery is involved in more than seeing if it will hold a charge. You must also thoroughly inspect your battery cables and clamps.
Clean the Distributor and the Fuel System:
The distributor cap on your boat is in direct connection with the spark plugs. No matter how clean or new your plugs may be, they will not perform adequately if your distributor cap is dirty or damaged. This is why it is of the utmost importance to give your distributor cap a good cleaning and replace it if necessary. Your fuel system also plays a key role in your boat’s ability to run. Make sure that you drain any old fuel out of the fuel tank. You should also be sure to check your fuel lines for cracks or wear and tear.
Re-Attach All Of Your Electronics:
When you put your boat into storage for the winter, you probably removed many of the expensive gadgets and electronics that are normally attached to your vessel. If you did not remove the electronics from your boat, you are running the risk of having many of these expensive items stolen while your boat is not being watched closely. Several of these electronics can also be damaged if you leave them to the mercy of the elements. Your next step should be reattaching all of the electronic components to your boat.
Give Your Trailer a Good Once Over:
While you are in the process of de-winterizing your boat, you must remember to give the trailer a good once-over. Your trailer is every bit as important as your boat because, without it, you would not be able to get your boat to the water in the first place. If you have a hand crank on your trailer, make sure that it is well old and free of rust. You will also want to make sure that the tires on your trailer are in tip-top shape. You should make sure that your trailer hitch is in good shape as well.
Conclusion:
Well, there you have it. 10 easy steps to make sure that the water system on your boat is de-winterized, as well as the entire boat in general. You should always remember that the best place to start when de-winterizing your boat is to take off the tarp. Next, you need to give the carpets, vinyl, and canvas a good cleaning. After this, you need to make sure that your engine and your propeller are in good shape. Checking and refilling your boat’s cooling system should be next on your list. Next, you need to make sure that your boat’s thermostat and water pump are working properly.
Checking out your cables and hoses should be the next step in de-winterizing your boat. Next, be sure to check your battery, cables, and battery clamps to see if they are still good. After this, make sure that your distributor is thoroughly clean, and drain your fuel system of old fuel. Reattaching any electronics you may have removed for the winter should be next on your list. Your final step will be to give your trailer a good once-over, making sure that they hitch and the tires are in tip-top shape. After this, the only thing that’s left for you to do is to enjoy a day of fun in the sun on your freshly de-winterized boat.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.