Power Boat Spring Preparation Checklist: With Go2marine

Power Boat Spring Preparation Checklist: Go2marine is proud to help you get ready! My general rule of thumb is to plan on spending 10 hours to do everything (for a vessel under 30’), then add 5 more hours for complex systems. You will spend 15 hours readying your 30’ vessel for use over the next season. For a 40’, double the time (30 hours), for a 50’ double the time, again (60 hours).

I also advocate doing those ‘one time’ jobs you have put off for so long, like labeling all the diesel engine bleed locations and hanging a wrench near one to make it easy to do! 

This is a quick, check list (you may copy and paste; then print it out – or just print everything). I kept the text to a minimum and this will print out to six pages. – on the trailer or tied to a dock. This list covers POWER large and small power boats 

POWER VESSELS, including trailer

GENERAL: getting the boat ready to inspect

Go2marine helps you get ready

• Do a general cleaning of hull, deck and topsides using a mild , environmental safe detergent
• Make sure drains and scuppers are clear
• Put on a good coat of wax in all hull topsides
• Clean and polish metal with a good metal polish
• Clean teak (and other wood) and oil to reseal
• Clean windows and hatches, clean screens
• Clean canvas, bimini and dodger (use same soap)
• Clean interior including bilges
• Check spare parts and tools and replace as necessary
• Make sure registration is current and onboard
• Check and replace wiper blades if necessary

HULL: outside inspection

Marine Maintenance & Hardware Supplies

• Check for hull abrasions, scratches, gouges, etc. and repair
• Check and replace zincs
• Check for blisters and refinish is necessary
• Check rub rails, has anything come loose?
• Check swim platform and/or ladder
• Inspect and test trim tabs
• Check shaft, cutlass bearing, strut and prop
• Lubricate stuffing boxes, shaft and rudder logs
• Check rudder and fittings
• Touch up or replace antifouling paint, boot strip paint

DECK, FITTINGS, SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

Deck, Cockpit & Hull

• Check stanchion, pulpits and lifelines for integrity
• Check ground tackle, anchor, rode and backup anchor / rode, etc.
• Check lines, fenders, etc.
• Check cleats and deck fittings
• Check hull/deck joint
• Check deck, windows, and port lights for leaks
• Inspect anchor windlass and lubricate
• Check dinghy, and life raft

BELOW DECKS: if it is in the back of a locker, or hidden below floorboards – check it now!

Plumbing Fittings and Valves

• Check, test and lubricate seacocks
• Check all thruhull fittings
• Check condition of hoses and clamps
• Make sure below waterline hoses are double clamped
• Check bilges pumps for automatic and manual operation
• Check for oil in bilges
• Check limber holes and make sure they are clear of debris

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS:

Marine Electrical Equipment and Supplies

• Check battery water level – the single most often ignored task
• Check/recharge batteries
• Check terminals for corrosion, clean and lubricate
• Check bonding system
• Inspect all wiring for wear and chafe
• Test all gauges for operability
• Check shore power and charger
• Check for spare fuses or breakers
• Check all lighting fixtures (including navigation lights) and make sure you have spare bulbs
• Check all electronics for proper operation
• Inspect antennas

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:

Safety & Flotation

• Sound signaling device – spare air can for air horn
• Check distress signals and expiration date
• Check PFDs (lifejackets)
• Inspect life rings and cushions
• Check fire extinguishers certification and recharge if necessary
• Check and adjust compass
• Check navigation lights
• Check charts and replace as necessary
• Check radar reflector
• Check and replace first aid supplies
• Check bailer and hand pump

INBOARD ENGINE(S):

Browse Inboard Engine Parts

• Change oil & filters – have spare oil & filters onboard
• Check and change fuel filters – have spares onboard
• Check and change engine zincs
• Check cooling system change coolant as necessary – have extra onboard
• Record engine maintenance log, especially date & hours of last oil changes
• Check belts for tension – carry spare(s)
• Check transmission fluid
• Check and clean backfire flame arrestor
• Check impeller
• Check and clean water strainer
• Check bilge blower
• Adjust valves, general service engine

OUTBOARD MOTOR:

Browse Outboard Engine Parts

• Replace spark plugs
• Check plug wires for wear
• Check prop for nicks and bends
• Change/fill gear lube
• Inspect fuel lines, primer bulb and tank for leaks
• Lubricate and spray moveable parts

HEAD SYSTEM:

Toilets & Sanitary Systems

• Checked for smooth operation – lubricate and clean as necessary
• If equipped with treatment system, have chemicals on hand
• Y-valve operation checked, valve labeled & secured

WATER SYSTEM:

Freshwater Systems

• Flush water tank
• Shock the drinking water tank. Spa shock breaks down in a few days and then can be flushed out
• Replace water filters
• Check water system and pump for leaks and proper operation
• Check hot water tank working on both AC and engines
• Check for tank cap keys on board
• Check and clean shower sump pump screens

GALLEY:

Galley

• Fill propane (fuel) tank, check electric & manual valves, check storage box vent to make sure it is clear
• Check refrigerator, clean and freshen, operate on AC and DC
• Clean stove, check that all burners and oven are working
• Check microwave, other appliances, if fitted

TRAILER:

Trailering Parts & Accessories

• Check for current registration
• Check rollers and pads
• Check and lubricate wheel bearings
• Clean and lubricate winch
• Lubricate tongue jack and wheel
• Test lights and electrical connections
• Check tire pressure and condition
• Check brakes (if equipped)
• Check safety chains
• Check tongue lock

Sailboat Spring Preparation Checklist: With Go2marine

Sailboat Spring Preparation Checklist: Go2marine is proud to help you get ready! My general rule of thumb is to plan on spending 10 hours to do everything (for a vessel under 30’), then add 5 more hours for complex systems. You will spend 15 hours readying your 30’ vessel for use over the next season. For a 40’, double the time (30 hours), for a 50’ double the time, again (60 hours).

I also advocate doing those ‘one time’ jobs you have put off for so long, like opening and repacking your sails and labeling all the sailing bags! 

This is a quick, check list (you may copy and paste; then print it out – or just print everything). I kept the text to a minimum and this will print out to six pages. I cannot emphasize how useful it is to look everything over, at the start of the year – on the trailer or tied to a dock. This list covers Sailing vessels, large and small sailboats 

SAILING VESSELS, including trailer

GENERAL: getting the boat ready to inspect

Go2marine helps you get ready

• Do a general cleaning of hull, deck and topsides using a mild , environmental safe detergent
• Make sure drains and scuppers are clear
• Put on a good coat of wax in all hull topsides
• Clean and polish metal with a good metal polish
• Clean teak (and other wood) and oil to reseal
• Clean windows and hatches, clean screens
• Clean canvas, bimini and dodger (use same soap)
• Clean sail covers
• Clean interior including bilges
• Check spare parts and tools and replace as necessary
• Make sure registration is current and onboard
• Check and replace wiper blades if necessary

HULL:

Marine Maintenance & Hardware Supplies

• Check for hull abrasions, scratches, gouges, etc. and repair
• Check and replace zincs
• Check for blisters and refinish is necessary
• Check rub rails, has anything come loose?
• Check swim platform and/or ladder
• Check shaft, cutlass bearing, strut and prop
• Check rudder and fittings
• Touch up or replace antifouling paint

DECK, FITTINGS, SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

Deck, Cockpit & Hull

• Check stanchion, pulpits and lifelines for integrity
• Check ground tackle, anchor, rode and backup anchor / rode, etc
• Check lines, fenders, etc.
• Check chainplates, cleats and other deck fittings
• Check hull/deck joint
• Check deck, windows, and port lights for leaks
• Inspect anchor windlass and lubricate
• Clean and grease winches
• Check and lubricate blocks, pad eyes, etc.
• Check dinghy, and life raft

BELOW DECKS:

Plumbing Fittings and Valves

• Check, test and lubricate seacocks
• Check all thruhull fittings
• Check condition of hoses and clamps
• Make sure below waterline hoses are double clamped
• Check bilges pumps for automatic and manual operation
• Check for oil in bilges
• Check limber holes and make sure they are clear of debris

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS:

Marine Electrical Equipment and Supplies

• Check battery water level – the single most often ignored task
• Check/recharge batteries
• Check terminals for corrosion, clean and lubricate
• Check bonding system
• Inspect all wiring for wear and chafe
• Test all gauges for operability
• Check shore power and charger
• Check for spare fuses or breakers
• Check all lighting fixtures (including navigation lights) and make sure you have spare bulbs
• Check all electronics for proper operation
• Inspect antennas

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:

Safety & Flotation

• Sound signaling device – spare air can for air horn
• Check distress signals and expiration date
• Check PFDs (lifejackets)
• Inspect life rings and cushions
• Check fire extinguishers certification and recharge if necessary
• Check and adjust compass
• Check navigation lights
• Check charts and replace as necessary
• Check radar reflector
• Check and replace first aid supplies
• Check bailer and hand pump

INBOARD ENGINE(S):

Browse Inboard Engine Parts

• Change oil & filters – have spare oil & filters onboard
• Check and change fuel filters – have spares onboard
• Check and change engine zincs
• Check cooling system change coolant as necessary – have extra onboard
• Record engine maintenance log, especially date & hours of last oil changes
• Check belts for tension – carry spare(s)
• Check transmission fluid
• Check and clean backfire flame arrestor
• Check impeller
• Check and clean water strainer
• Check bilge blower
• Adjust valves, general service engine

OUTBOARD MOTOR:

Browse Outboard Engine Parts

• Replace spark plugs
• Check plug wires for wear
• Check prop for nicks and bends
• Change/fill gear lube
• Inspect fuel lines, primer bulb and tank for leaks
• Lubricate and spray moveable parts

HEAD SYSTEM:

Toilets & Sanitary Systems

• Checked for smooth operation – lubricate and clean as necessary
• If equipped with treatment system, have chemicals on hand
• Y-valve operation checked, valve labeled & secured

WATER SYSTEM:

Freshwater Systems

• Flush water tank
• Shock the drinking water tank. Spa shock breaks down in a few days and then can be flushed out
• Check water system and pump for leaks and proper operation
• Check hot water tank working on both AC and engines
• Check for tank cap keys on board
• Check and clean shower sump pump screens

GALLEY:

Galley

• Fill propane tank, check electric & manual valves, check storage box vent to make sure it is clear
• Check refrigerator, clean and freshen, operate on AC and DC
• Clean stove, check that all burners and oven are working
• Check microwave, if fitted

TRAILER:

Trailering Parts & Accessories

• Check for current registration
• Check rollers and pads
• Check and lubricate wheel bearings
• Clean and lubricate winch
• Lubricate tongue jack and wheel
• Test lights and electrical connections
• Check tire pressure and condition
• Check brakes (if equipped)
• Check safety chains
• Check tongue lock

SAILS:

Sailing

• Check general condition
• Look for wear and chafing
• Check battens and batten pockets
• Check all sail attachments, including grommets, rings, and all reef-points
• Inspect all of the stitching on the sail edges and all seams. Pay close attention to the leech of the headsail
• Inspect bolt rope

MAST AND RIGGING:

Rigging Hardware

• Check mast and spreaders for corrosion or damage
• Inspect spreader boots and shrouds
• Inspect rivets and screw connections for corrosion
• Check reefing points and reefing gear
• Clean and lube sail track
• Check rigging, turnbuckles and clevis pins for wear and corrosion
• Inspect stays for fraying and “fish hooks”
• Check forestay and backstay connections
• Check masthead fitting and pulleys
• Check and lubricate roller furling
• Check halyards and consider replacing or swapping end for end
• Tape turnbuckles, cotter pins, and spreaders