It’s about to be that time of the year again: time to get your boat out of storage and hit the water. But before you jump right into the fun, you may want to take some time to give your boat a little attention. After being in storage, it’s going to need a little TLC in order to make sure that the boat will run well and you’ll be safe out on the water.
Do a Complete Inspection
Your boat is safe while it’s in storage, but there still might be a few things that aren’t working right. Check out the hinges, hoses, lighting, and any moving parts; they could have dried out a bit and may not be operating as they should. You can grease up moving parts with oil and change any lights that have burned out. It’s better to discover these things when you’re not on the open water!
Check Out Your Engine
Before storing a boat for a long time, you should drain the fluids. Now is the time to put them back in! Change the oil, power steering, and oil filter, and lubricate any of the engine’s moving parts. Double check your fuel lines and also check out the spark plugs, as they could have gone dead while being stored.
Clean It Up
Cleaning your boat isn’t just for aesthetics, though your boat may be a little dusty right now. Cleaning your boat also protects its surface. After pulling your boat out of winter storage, do a once over with your power-washer, vacuum up the inside, and clean any of the inside surfaces. Cleaning your boat regularly helps all of its parts last longer.
Look for Corrosion
Around the electrical connections in your boat, you should look for any signs of corrosion. Even though you’re not on the water, corrosion can still continue while in storage. If anything has corroded in your boat, it could be dangerous, so it’s best that you contact a qualified technician to assess the damage.
Check Your Safety Equipment
If you stored your safety equipment alongside your boat, you need to check to make sure it’s still in good condition. Go through your safety checklist to make sure you have your preservers, life jackets, and other safety equipment. Check to make sure your life jackets still fit, that your fire extinguisher still has pressure, and that your flares still work.
Apart from all that, you might want to check to make sure you’re still covered at the best rates! Boat Insurance can depend on the type of boat you have, whether you have past claims, and the area you live in. When you take the boat out of storage is the perfect time to make sure you still have the coverage you need.
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 (800) 992-4443 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.
