Get Your Boat Ready for Spring with This Maintenace Checklist

As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it’s time for boat owners to get their boats out of winter storage and prepare them ready for the upcoming season. If you’re like most boaters, there are a few annual maintenance and cleaning projects you should do before taking your boat out on the water.   

Whether you own a large powerboat or a small sailboat, this spring maintenance checklist will help ensure your boat is in top shape so you can enjoy a great boating season.   

A little work now can save you a lot of headache in the middle of the season.

Your boat’s battery is one of its most essential components and it should be the first item on your maintenance checklist.   

Before hitting the water for the first time this year, check your battery’s charge level and test its connections. Checking your battery now will help ensure it has enough charge when needed most, whether during a fishing trip or an afternoon outing with family and friends.   

If your boat has an outboard motor, it needs some special TLC after being stored away during winter.   

Start by giving it a good cleaning to remove dirt, salt spray residue, and other debris that may have accumulated over time. Once cleaned, check all its moving parts—including fuel lines and spark plugs—for any signs of wear or damage. Finally, look over any electrical components like wires and cables for any signs of corrosion or fraying.   

The most vulnerable thing on your boat is the fuel system.   

Preparing your boat for spring begins at the end of the boating season during winterization. However, before you hit the water, check the following:  

• Inspect the fuel system for leaks or damage, and pay special attention to fuel hoses, connections, and tank surfaces.  
• Add a fuel separator if you have an outboard. They play a crucial role in preventing water from entering the fuel system and damaging vital components.
• Evidence of a damaged fuel hose includes softness, brittleness, or cracking.  
• Replace components when necessary and verify all fittings and clamps are properly secured.  
• Ensure the engine, exhaust, and ventilation systems are all functioning correctly.  
• Look before you pump. Don’t fill your tank with fuel that contains more than 10% ethanol (E10), as it will damage your engine.  

Once you’ve cleaned your outboard motor from top to bottom, it’s time to replace its filters and fluids as needed.  

This includes replacing engine oil (and changing the oil filter if applicable), changing fuel filters, checking coolant levels (and flushing/refilling if needed), replacing spark plugs if necessary, etc. Replacing filters & fluids takes little time, but it can save you money in repairs down the road!   

Having proper safety gear is a boating must.  

So, before you plan to head out this spring, ensure everything is in working order.  

• Check your life jackets to ensure they are in good condition and that there are enough on board for all potential passengers.  
• Ensure each individual has the correct size life jacket for their body weight.  
• Ensure all onboard fire extinguishers are the correct class for your vessel, fully charged, and stowed in the proper place.  
• Ensure you have at least one properly installed and working carbon monoxide detector for any enclosed or semi-enclosed area.  
• Consider an EPIRB for situations of distress to ensure you can be found.  
• Take advantage of any safety inspections offered by the US Coast Guard (USCG), USCG Auxiliary, or US Power Squadrons. 

Preparing your boat for springtime fun doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a few simple steps, like checking your battery’s charge level and servicing your outboard motor, you can easily prepare your boat for another great season on the water.   

So don’t wait – get started today! Once you finish this spring maintenance checklist, regularly maintain your vessel throughout the year to enjoy problem-free boating all year round. For more boat maintenance tips and important how-to’s, check out our blog and follow along on Facebook!