by SRekha

Created on: April 22, 2010

Warm sunny weather is an inviting time for boating to your heart’s content. Grabbing a few supplies for food, drink, you are good to go boating with friends, family or alone. Just as you prepare your home and vehicles for winter and summer, the same is needed for your boat. De-winterizing your boat for the summer is an important task.

It is an anxious and tense time for boaters as the weather changes from cool to warm. It is also the time to check whether the boat is in working condition or requires to be repaired. Knowing a few simple tips for de-winterizing your boat can help you to accomplish the task with ease. Every part of the boat needs to be inspected and checked for the not so obvious cracks or repairs. This makes the boat safe for you or others who ride in it with you.

Check the engine

This should be on the top priority while de-winterizing your boat or motor boats. The boat manual or guide book would mention all the instructions of the de-winterizing process. As you test the engine, it might emit a lot of smoke initially. But once the liquids flow through the engine, it gets back to good working condition. This can be followed for a safe and hassle free boating experience in summer time.

Inspecting the battery

Usually, the battery is removed from the boat and stored in the cellar or basement in the homes. It would be a good idea to check the battery by filling it with some water. You could also use a tester to check whether there is enough charge or not. It might require you to re-charge or replace the boat battery if necessary.

Fuel and coolant check

The coolant might have frozen and you might need to de-freeze it. Clean the old coolant and replace it with equal amounts of water and coolant. It is also advisable to check for any cracks in the cooling system and hoses to make the necessary repairs or changes.

Fuel lines also need to be checked for cracks and repairs. The cold winter weather might cause cracks in these areas. You might also want to check the fuel filter and change it. Any inherent condensed areas can cause corrosion in the gas tank. Hence, it is a key area for inspection when you are de-winterizing your boat.

Belts and Safety

Never forget to inspect the boat belts after winter. They might get brittle or get worn out near the pulley and need a change. The de-winterizing boat inspection should also include checking the first aid kit in the boat, life jackets and fire extinguishers.

Apart from these routine de-winterizing processes, it is also necessary to polish and varnish the wood and metal in the boat. It transforms a dull looking boat into a bright and tidy one. Likewise, the electrical fittings, GPS and marine related electronic equipment in the boat need to be tested before you take it out for boating in summer. Thus, a cleaned boat with the complete de-winterizing process is ready for the warm weather and blue waters.

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