Checklist for Prepping your Boat for the Season

Soon, it will be time to dust off the sails and motors and prepare your boat for a new season on the water.

If you kept the boat in storage for the winter, there is always the chance of deterioration while in storage. Mold could grow, frames could crack and other pieces could break. Sensitive systems like your generator, your compass or your engine may malfunction.

Make sure you take proper steps to protect both your craft and your risks after you take the boat out of storage. Following some of these recommendations could protect your safety and save you money.

Check Your Systems

It is best to check all your boat’s internal systems before you put it out on the water.

• Check the boat’s hull, frame and structure for signs of cracks, breaks or mold.
• Ensure that machinery like engines, electrical appliances and systems work properly. Check that they don’t show imminent signs of breakdown.
• Inspect the sails, ropes and mooring to ensure that these safety guards are strong. If these items fray or have broken down, then it is time to replace them.
• Restock and inspect your safety gear. Replace damaged first aid kits, fire extinguishers, emergency flares and other hazard suppressants.
• If you keep dry stores of supplies or food on the boat, throw away expired items. Make sure that the storage area is still safe so that it can keep preserving new items.
• Make sure that your water gear is safe. Check life vests, rafts, buoys and other life-guarding materials before setting out.
• Check the boat’s anchor and ballast systems to make sure they function properly.

Have Your Boat Inspected

If you don’t want to make safety checks alone, have your boat inspected by professional repairmen. They can catch all and every issue, and notify you of the severity of it.

Review Your Boating Insurance

Make sure that your boat insurance is up to date before you start out on the water.

• If you’ve added appliances to your boat while you had it in storage, this may impact your insurance coverage. Update your policy with the changes before heading out.
• You may have adjusted your insurance from active to storage coverage when you stored the craft. Make sure that you switch your policy back to active coverage before the season.

Your boat insurance is valuable coverage in case of incidents involving the craft. However, be a responsible sailor. Check your boat before getting on the water. Bozeman Insurance can guide you when you need to check your insurance policy. Explore our website to learn more, or call us at  727-347-3158.