Getting Your Boat Ready for the Spring

As the weather warms up, you start to think about pulling yourboatout of storage. However, you can't just pull off the cover and drive your vessel from winter storage to the docks without taking care of some maintenance tasks first. After months in storage, your boat needs some love and care to get it ready for spring. Bob Hewes Boats is your premier marine dealer, so we've provided our top tips to help you prepare your boat for the season. Remember that for all your boating needs, you can visit one of our locations in North Miami or Pompano Beach, Florida.

Inspection

As soon as you pull your boat out of storage and remove the cover, you'll want to give it a thorough inspection, inside and out. On the exterior, look over the hull to check for any damage sustained while the craft was in storage or any damage you might have missed in the fall. You'll want to get this addressed as soon as possible, and the service department at Bob Hewes Boats will be happy to help you.

Look through the interior of your boat as well, checking for mold or mildew build-up on carpets or cushions. Make sure there haven't been any pest infestations during the winter as mice, bugs and other creatures can cause a lot of damage that you'll need to clean up.

Clean Up

You should give the exterior of your boat a thorough wash and ideally wax it to protect it from sun and salt damage. Clean the interior of your boat to remove dead leaves, dust, and debris. Wipe down the glass and control panels. Polish up chrome and clean any mildew out of canvas or cushions. A boat in tip-top shape will make it much nicer for you and your passengers to have a good time on the water.

Electric & Engine Check

It's important that you read your owner's manual to know what the proper start-up procedure is for your craft. Look over your batteries for any corrosion and wear. Before you get your boat in the water, you will want to run your battery to test that the lights and other electrical systems work.

Your boat's engine is key to its proper functioning, so you should do an inspection before turning it on to see whether there are leaks around the gaskets and engine heads. You'll also want to check fluid levels and change the oil if it's sludgy. If you've left fuel in the tank for a while, drain it and refill the tank with fuel that has no more than 10% ethanol content.

Check Your Safety Gear & Supplies

One of the most important components of your boat is the safety gear you keep on it. Make sure that you have everything you need for a safe trip and to handle medical or emergency situations. Check your life jackets to ensure they are in good condition and you've enough of them for all passengers.

Next, look over your first-aid kit to check if any of the ointments or other products have expired and need to be replaced. See that your emergency supplies, like emergency flares and fire extinguishers, are still up to date. Your boat should always be properly registered and tagged, and you'll want to make sure that your registration is up-to-date, as well as your insurance. Keep these necessary papers at a place that's waterproof and easily accessible.

Check Your Boat Cover

The final step is to inspect your boat cover for any rips, tears, mold, and mildew. Repair any holes you find before they turn into larger ones and cause more damage. Address any mold or mildew build-up or simply get a new boat cover. The covering needs to be in good condition to offer the protection your boat needs.

These tips will help you to check your boat for signs of damage and address any issues, so you can enjoy your maiden spring voyage. If you're interested in getting service or upgrading your craft, visit Bob Hewes Boats in North Miami and Pompano Beach, FL, to see our boats for sale and ask our friendly staff any questions you have. We proudly serve the greater Miami area as well as the city of Fort Lauderdale, FL.