When you take your boat out of storage, you need to follow a few simple steps to prepare it for the water. If you take your boat out on the water immediately after retrieving it from storage, you risk damaging both the interior and exterior. To prevent this from occurring, use these tips for preparing your boat for the spring.
Schedule an Inspection or Survey
Before taking your boat out on the water, schedule an inspection or survey. An inspection or survey will ensure that your boat is safe to take on the water and doesn’t have any damage from storage. If you have a used boat, it’s especially important to schedule a survey since there are many common types of damage found on used boats, such as fuel system or engine damage.
Clean the Interior and Exterior Thoroughly
Dirt and dust accumulate quickly on your boat, even when it’s in storage. When you take your boat out of storage, clean both the interior and exterior thoroughly. And after you finish the hull, deck, and topsides, remember to put on a coat of protective wax.
Fill Up the Gas Tank
Another one of the tips for preparing your boat for the spring is to fill up the gas tank. While this may sound simple, it would surprise you how many people forget to do this. Keep in mind that even though you usually fill up diesel tanks before storing them, many people drain gas tanks before storage. Therefore, they will be empty when you bring out your boat.
Prepare the Canvas
You’ll need to inspect and prepare your canvas before taking your boat anywhere. Look for small damages, such as rips, tears, or loose threading, and fix these issues immediately before using your boat. You should also clean your canvas to remove dust or dirt that can collect during storage.
