Spring, Spring, Spring! The winter boat shows are over and the few warm days have us again looking forward to another great boating year! We know it's time to get our boats ready for the upcoming season.

It's time to reflect on what jobs we should do and review what jobs we have done in the fall of last year.

1. Trailer

a. Take a good look at the tires on your trailer.


1. Do they show signs of dry rot? That would be evident if there is cracking of the rubber on the side walls of the tires. It usually starts around the bead of the tire. IF you see this, replace the tires. I know you have plenty of tread ~ but in the summer heat is when the tire will fail.

2. Do you have a spare tire for your trailer? If not, buy one and a mounting bracket that you can bolt to the trailer.

3. Do you have suitable jack to fit the trailer? If not, buy one.

4. Do you have a four-way lug nut tool? If not, buy one.


b. Did you repack the wheel bearing in the fall? If not, do it now.

c. Check the trailer lights. Make sure they all work properly.

d. Check the condition of the winch, winch rope or winch strap. If anything looks worn, replace it.

e. Do you have a good ratchet strap for the rear of your boat? If not, buy one.

f. Check your keel rollers and the carpet on your bolsters.

g. Oil your coupler and tongue jack.

2. BOAT

a. Let's get the boat out of the garage or storage facility and remove all gear from inside the boat ~ everything!

b. How old is your battery? If it has had three seasons of use, I would replace it.

1. Take a battery post tool and clean all corrosion off the battery terminals and battery post.

2. Charge the battery.

3. After charging, clean the battery with baking soda and water and dry it.

4. Put Vaseline on the battery terminals and posts to protect them from corrosion.


c. How old is your fire extinguisher? Is the gauge showing full? If it is five years old, or showing not quite full ~ replace it.

d. How is the boat's electrical system?

1. Are all items fused? If not, install an inline fuse using solder-less connectors and heat shrink insulation.

2. Is your bilge pump fuse the proper size (amp) for the pump? Use only the required size for amp draw that is stated on the bilge pump.

3. Do you have any wire nuts in your 12 volt system? If you do -- replace them with solder-less connectors and heat shrink insulation.

4. Is there any wiring that has frayed insulation? If there is, replace it.

3. ENGINE

1. Did you change the oil in the fall? If not, do it now. Also, change the oil filter, if your engine is so equipped.

2. Do you have a raw water pump with rubber impellers? If you do, how long has it been since you replaced them? If you can't remember, replace them.

3. Do you carry spare water pump impellers; I do ~ just in case.

4. Check your alternator/generator /water pump belts for proper tension. If they are showing any signs of cracking ~ replace them.

5. Check your raw water pickup hose/hoses. If they are cracked, replace them. Also, they should all be double-clamped.


a. It is a good idea to have a nonrestrictive ball valve at the thru-hull fitting.


6. Check for any oil leaks on the engine, especially the rear transmission seal on manual transmissions.

7. Check all fuel lines.

a. If you have a rubber fuel line, it must be a marine approved type and all fittings must be double-clamped.


8. Check exhaust system.

a. If hoses are used, they must be double-clamped.

b. Check for any signs of exhaust leaking. If any is found, fix it.

4. DOCK LINES

1. If they are old and stiff, replace them.

2. If they are dirty, you can clean them using Tide, but mix fabric softener with it. Wash them in a bucket and air try them. The fabric softener will make them soft again.

5. COSMETICS

1. Wash the boat's interior with Dawn dishwashing liquid and water. Remove the seat bottoms, so you can clean them properly. Rinse with a hose and towel dry.

2. Wash the decks, hullsides and transom the same way. Hose rinse and towel dry.

3. How does the varnish look?

4. How does the bottom paint look?

5. How do the deck seams look?

6. How does the chrome look?

7. How does the upholstery look?

8. How does the vinyl floor covering look?

NOTE: If you have some issues on the cosmetics of your boat, give me a telephone call at 1/800-807-7281 or e-mail me at woodenbts@aol.com and I will personally help you through these areas or any of the areas of getting the boat ready for use.