Like most boat owners, you know that if you take care of your boat, it will take care of you. So you treat your vessel well, make sure you have good OC boat insurance and practice good manners in the marina. When it comes to routine maintenance, inspections and repairs, though, how are you doing? Depending on where you live, the start and end of the winter season may provide convenient times for working on your vessel’s power and water systems. If you winterized your boat last fall, you may be wondering how to dewinterize it to get ready for spring. If it doesn’t get very cold where you live, you may wonder whether you need to winterize at all.
How Do I Get My Boat Ready for Spring?
If your vessel was in storage over the winter, check all its systems, including power, water and fuel lines. Be sure to inspect your trailer, too, including the brakes and tire pressure. Check for rodent, bird or insect infestation. Check your battery. It should be in good shape if it’s been on a trickle charger all winter. If not, charge and test it. Replace it if needed.
Refit everything you took off the boat for winter, including the anchor. Look over and thoroughly clean every bit of canvas or cloth. Flush your water systems well, and try out the head and sinks if you have them. Touch up the brightwork and brass if you have any, and oil any hinges.
Before your first day on the water, do a dry run as though you were making ready to sail. It will be easier to notice what you may have forgotten if you go through the motions instead of rehearsing in your head. Do you have the relevant charts? Are your GPS and other navigation systems up and running? Does your radio work?
Do I Need To Dewinterize my Boat?
If you winterized your boat and then let it sit, you need to dewinterize it. You can’t just start it up and hope it goes. However, if it doesn’t freeze where you live, and there is no season when you don’t go out on the water, you may choose not to winterize at all. No matter where you keep your vessel, it needs OC boat insurance and seasonal upkeep. So, even if you don’t feel the need to winterize and dewinterize, the start of spring is an excellent time to perform annual maintenance and inspections and make sure you have the right insurance for your needs.
Take your time and be meticulous when inspecting your boat each spring. In the middle of summer, when you’re enjoying your time on the water in your well-maintained vessel, you’ll be glad you took the time. Don’t forget to properly winterize again before freezing weather sets in. Then you’ll have fewer problems to look forward to next spring.
About Mariners Insurance
Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.
