How to Ensure Your Boat is in Proper Working Condition

Discover essential boat maintenance tips to ensure safe and enjoyable outings, from pre-season inspections to on-water safety practices.

The following is a guest post from my bloggy friend Taylor McKnight on behalf of Delta Net and Twine. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.

When the summer heat hits, you know what that means: vacation time! Many people will be taking their boats on the lake and enjoying a day of sun and relaxation. However, before you take your boat out on the water for a day of fun in the sun, there are some important things to consider first. This article will discuss how to ensure your boat is in proper working condition to provide safe enjoyment for everyone.

What to Check When Starting Up Your Boat

Make sure that the boat has been properly winterized to prevent any issues with water and freezing temperatures. Drain the boat completely of any liquid before putting it up for storage. This can prevent cracking and splitting of wooden fishing boats, as well as corrosion on metal ones.

Do a visual inspection of all the hardware and parts such as cables, pulleys, levers, woodwork/structure etc. Check if anything is loose or damaged so you can fix it before your next trip out. Inspect all lights, including navigation lights, to ensure they operate correctly, and bulbs are not burnt out or broken. Make sure all fuel and oil caps and vents are secured and sealed properly.

For wooden boats, always check the decals that identify nicks and cuts on the wood. Inspect them to see if they have worn away to the point where water might get inside of your boat or into certain places that could cause your craft to take on water, thereby sinking. You can always apply sealant or coating that will help clog holes or strengthen the wood for longevity.

Steps to Take in Boat Maintenance

1. Have your boat professionally inspected. This will ensure that everything is in top working order and there are no problems you might not be aware of, such as worn-out engine parts or cracks in the hull. 

2. Inspect all moving parts of the craft, including hinges and latches, for signs of rust or other damage. These can cause leaks if not fixed before hitting the water. Give particular attention to metal components since they are more prone to corrosion than wooden ones. See that all nuts and screws are tightened properly, so nothing rattles loose during use. If any part appears damaged, do not operate your boat until it has been repaired professionally by someone who knows what they are doing. Once fixed, the boat’s functionality should be at a peak of operating well.

3. Ensure that all electrical wiring and fuel lines are not frayed or otherwise damaged, so they don’t start a fire while you’re out on the water. Check all knots so they will hold well during boating activity. If any appear to be weak, re-tie them before going out for your excursion.

Things to Watch For When On The Water

1. Always wear a life jacket for safety purposes, even if you are an experienced boater, since unexpected things can happen without warning, and it’s better to be prepared. Make sure everyone wears one as well, including children and babies. It is required by law for passengers of small crafts to wear these devices while out on the water.

2. If your boat requires self-bailing or manually bailing, make sure you know how to do this correctly before going out onto the lake since there will likely come a time where you have no other choice but to bail yourself out of a situation that could potentially be a disaster.

3. If you are going out on the water with children or other passengers, make sure they all have life jackets on as well and that there is no alcohol involved for any of them since this can cause someone to lose their inhibitions and do something stupid such as jumping into the water thinking they can swim just fine when it could be very possible that they can’t. There is obviously also the factor of operating any mode of transportation while under the influence is frowned upon and against laws of the state.

Tips on How to Maintain Care of Your Boat

1. Always clean your boat thoroughly after each use to remove all forms of dirt and debris before entering into water storage or transporting it to another location; these can cause corrosion if left on for too long, which could damage metal components.

2. If you are boating in saltwater, make sure you rinse off your craft completely afterwards so the salt does not get trapped inside the engine where it could corrode certain areas causing expensive repairs later on down the road. Salt can also get caught up in small crevices, such as between moving parts which might require a professional to fix since they will have tools designed for getting rid of these types of problems.

3. Spray anti-fouling paint on the bottom of your boat so it does not develop barnacles since these can grow incredibly fast when in saltwater; this will help prevent drag when moving through the water. Barnacles are also a major danger of boating as infestations can easily occur if not monitored.

4. Inspect all ropes and wires for any signs of cracking or fraying that could cause them to break unexpectedly while out on the water, causing injury or damage to other things nearby or requiring a tow back to shore if you lose one completely.