How to Prep Your Boat for Summer
As the weather gets warmer, it’s time to take your boat out of storage and hit the water for a fun-filled adventure. But before you can do that, you’ll need to get your craft ready for riding again. Since it was in storage for several months, whether or not you winterized it, it needs some basic inspection and maintenance in order to run properly.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take an expert to do these inspections, so with this guide from Jet Ski of Miami, we’ll tell you what you can do by yourself to get your boat ready for summer riding. Of course, if you find any significant damage and need some repairs, feel free to visit our dealership. We’re located in Miami, Florida, and proudly serve those in Hialeah.
Inspection
As soon as you take your boat out of storage, the first thing you’ll need to do is give it a good once over. There shouldn’t be any new damage to your craft, but in case you missed it, it’s never bad to give it another look. Also, you can keep an eye out for any leaks, cracks, or other damage that might have gotten worse. If water somehow got into those fissures and froze, it could have caused them to expand. In this case, you should get the boat into our service department right away for repairs.
Prepare the Engine
The next step is to get your engine up and running. You can start by reconnecting the spark plug wires into your boat. Make sure you do this while the battery’s still on the tender because you don’t want to mess around with the spark plugs when they have a charge running through them. Also, flush the antifreeze and replace it with a mixture of water and coolant. Then look at the propeller and check for any signs of damage. Once everything with the engine is done, you can finally take the battery off the tender and re-install it into your boat.
Check Electronics & Safety Equipment
You’ll want to gather all those handy electronic devices you rely on during your boating excursions and check them to see that they work properly. Test out your fish finder, GPS system, auxiliary power, emergency radios, and all other devices you usually carry.
Even if you removed all of the items on your boat before you put it in storage, now is a good time to make sure that it is fully stocked with safety gear. Life jackets, personal flotation devices, first aid kits, emergency signals, flares, fire extinguishers, and radios are all essentials on your boat. If anything has expired, replace them with fresh supplies.
Canvas and Vinyl
You might have kept your canvas in the boat over the winter, and if this is the case, you need to look for holes or other damage that might have happened. It’s also good to check out the interior, such as the seats, floor, and cushions. Keep an eye out for critters or nests that might have been built, and make sure all of this is cleaned up as you’re de-winterizing your boat.
Give it a Good Cleaning
The next step is to give your boat a thorough cleaning. Nobody likes taking a dirty craft out on the water, and along with that, washing away the grime and dust can help prevent exterior corrosion. Give it a light rinse and use a mild detergent to get some of those tough spots cleaned off. Last but not least, don’t forget to put the drain plug back in after cleaning.
Inspect Your Paperwork
Before you head out, it’s a good idea to check your boat’s registration and insurance. Make sure your trailer’s registration and the tow vehicle’s registration and auto insurance are also up-to-date. If anything is up for renewal with your paperwork or licenses, you’ll need to get everything in order before your first boating trip of the season. The last thing you want to do is get fined when you’re relaxing with the family in the middle of a lake. You can also consider getting your captain’s license as you’ll gain valuable knowledge that will make your excursions safer and more enjoyable.
Inspecting and preparing your boat is all part of summer fun! By spending just a couple of hours, you can get your craft in good shape and you won’t have to worry about unexpected issues. If you have any questions or if you’re looking for the perfect boat, feel free to give us a call or visit us at Jet Ski of Miami in Miami, FL. Our friendly staff will be happy to assist you with anything you need! We proudly serve all our customers coming from Hialeah.