Join BoatUS Renew
Buy Towing Upgrade
Free Insurance Quote

Membership@BoatUS.com
1-800-395-2628
Live Chat!

Towing@BoatUS.com
1-800-888-4869

Contact Claims: 1-800-937-1937
Get a Free Quote: 1-800-283-2883

GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
703-461-2878 Ext. 8363

1-800-245-2628
9_AM - 5_PM EST

1-800-395-2628

BoatGraphics@BoatUS.com
1-800-937-3300

Membership@BoatUS.com
1-800-395-2628

BoatTECH@BoatUS.com

Membership@BoatUS.com
888-333-2628
8_AM - 5:30_PM EST

Travel@BoatUS.com
1-800-477-4427

BoatUSHR@BoatUS.com
8_AM - 6_PM EST

Loans@BoatUS.com
1-800-365-5636

MMSI@BoatUS.com
1-800-563-1536

Trailering@BoatUS.com

SCroft@BoatUS.com
703-461-2864
9_AM - 6_PM EST

About Us
News
Magazines
Contact Us
my.BoatUS.com

Membership
- Members
  
  Renew Membership
  
  Update Member Info
  
  Add Towing
  
  my.BoatUS.com
  
  Find My Membership
Join over half a million Members who know it pays to belong!

Memberships start at $24

Join BoatUS Today
Join the nations largest recreational boating association today.
Towing
Low Cost Options
24-Hour Dispatch
Over 300 Ports

Engine Failure, Fuel Drops, Soft Groundings, Dead Batteries, and more!

Buy Towing Today
Insurance
- Policy Service Center
  
  Login or Register
  
  Make a Payment
  
  Review Policy
  
  Update Information
  
  File a Claim
  
  Check Claim Status
  
  Upload Photos & Docs
Broad Coverage from
Boat Insurance Experts.

Insuring Boats and Only Boats
for Over 45 Years

Click for a FREE Quote
Government Affairs
- Take Action Now
- Federal Information
  
  Current Issues
  
  Federal News Archives
  
  Comments & Letters
- State Information
- Get Involved
  
  Introduction
  
  Civics 101
  
  Connect with Officials
  
  Writing Officials
  
  Forming Coalitions
  
  Getting Social
  
  Getting Publicity
  
  Contact Legislators
- What We Do
  
  About Us
  
  FAQs
  
  Links
- Testimonials
- Contact Us
Representing Recreational Boaters on Capitol Hill Since 1966

Memberships start at $24

Join BoatUS Today
Sign-Up for the Government Affairs Action E-List to get an alert when your involvement can make a critical difference.
Safe & Clean Boating
- BoatUS Foundation
  
  Free Online Course
  
  Find Safety Courses
  
  Rent GPIRBs & PLBs
  
  Kids' Life Jackets
  
  Clean Boating Info
  
  Product Testing
  
  About the Foundation
- Other Safety Topics
  
  Damage Avoidance
  
  Recall Alerts
  
  MMSI Registration
  
  DSC Tutorial
Help us Keep Boating Safe, Smart & Clean

Your Dollars Count

Donate Today
Secure donations through Network for Good
Boat Buying & Loans
- Boat Loans
  
  Apply Online
  
  Loan Terms
  
  About Us
  
  Loan Calculators
  
  USCG Registration
- Boat Buyer
  
  Guide to Buying & Selling
  
  Boat Checklist
  
  Free Boat Value Check
  
  Classified Ads
- Documentation Service
Low Rate Boat Loans for
Qualified Applicants

Visit Boat Finance
Boat Graphics
Start Designing Your
Boat Graphics Now!

Click Here To Begin
Resources
This summer, don't leave the dock without us!

Download our Towing app!

BoatUS Magazine
News
Gear
Practical Boater
Lifestyle
2013 Trailering Guide
Archives
PDF Version
Digital Edition
Advertise with Us
Other Publications

Follow Us
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Pinterest
Add us on Google+
Visit us on YouTube
RSS Feeds
Share this Page

Share This Article

PracticalBoater

Seaworthy | From The BoatUS Insurance Files

Your Spring Fitting-Out Checklist

By Beth Leonard
Published: April/May 2013

It's almost time for summer fun! Working your way through this checklist will help make sure your boat's ready to go when you are.

Getting Started

If necessary, reinstall batteries. Top up lead acid batteries with distilled water. Fully charge batteries. Clean, tighten electrical connections, especially terminals of battery cables. Coat battery terminals with insulating film of grease, or apply protective battery terminal spray.

Open and close seacocks; handles should move freely. Hoses should be double-clamped with stainless-steel hose clamps. Replace any that look rusted.

Inspect the raw-water intake strainer to be sure it has not cracked, and is clean and free of corrosion. Make sure the strainer's top fits snugly.

Check running lights. Clean/tighten connections or replace bulbs to assure that all are operating properly.

Check VHF and GPS antenna connections by disconnecting and spraying with moisture-displacing lubricant, then reconnect and test.

Look for indications of leaking at trim cylinders and hoses as well as at hydraulic steering pumps and rams. Replace the O-ring or gasket if leaking.

Make sure the stuffing box or shaft seal is completely dry when the boat is at the dock.

Inspect portlights, hatches, and deck fittings for dirty or displaced caulking, water trails, dirt, and green corrosion, any of which signals a leak that needs to be recaulked.

Test bilge pump and high-water switches and alarms.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, LPG and gasoline fume detector.

Check flares (expiration date) and fire extinguishers (charge), and replace/ recharge as necessary.

Check and service safety gear such as life jackets, and MOB gear.

Boats Ashore

Inspect props for dinging, pitting, and distortion. Make sure cotter pins are secure. Grip the prop and try moving the shaft — if it's loose, the cutlass bearing may need to be replaced.

Replace plastic fittings near the waterline with bronze or Marelon.

Inspect the anodes on the shaft, outdrive, and trim tabs. Replace any that are close to half-deteriorated.

Check to make sure the rudderstock hasn't been bent.

After the boat is launched, be sure to inspect around the rudder and all thru-hulls for leaks, and check the stuffing box while underway to make sure there is a steady drip.

Outdrives and Outboards

Check outdrive bellows for cracks and tears (look especially in the folds).

Check hydraulic trim fluid. If you didn't change it last fall, change it now.

Check lower-unit lube level. Creamy oil indicates water (and a bad seal). Many manufacturers recommend changing the oil every year.

Engines and Related Systems

Flexible gasoline lines should say "USCG Approved, J1527." Replace any that don't.

Are fuel hoses supple, with no cracks, bulges, or soft spots? Do the lines smell like gasoline (wipe the lines with a clean rag and then smell the rag)? Did you also use a rag to detect odors at connections?

Cooling hoses should fit snugly and be solidly clamped.

Replace any hose clamps that show signs of corrosion.

Replace fuel filters.

Clean or replace the air filter.

Change engine oil unless done in the fall (preferable). Check fluid levels: transmission, hydraulic steering fluid, and coolant.

Check belts for tension and wear.

Check raw-water and freshwater pumps for seepage, which indicates a gasket needs to be replaced.

Replace raw-water impellers if they are more than a year old.

Examine exhaust manifolds for signs of corrosion and water seepage that indicate blockage. If you suspect a problem, remove the manifold.

Replacing the (inexpensive) gaskets at the heat exchanger every year helps prevent corrosion at the housing and also lets you look for gunk that can clog the stacks.

Test bilge blower and inspect hose.

Inspect outer jacket of cables for cracks and swelling, either of which indicates the cable must be replaced. Use waterproof grease at the ends.

Sailboat Rigging

Inspect swage fittings for rust and cracks. Running rigging should be supple and free of chafe.

Run a rag over stays and shrouds to find "fishhooks" that indicate the wire needs to be replaced.

Ensure that spreaders bisect the shrouds. Ends should be protected to prevent chafe.

Remove tape at turnbuckles and lubricate threads (preferably with Teflon).

Run a water hose over chainplates to check for leaks. Look for rust streaks inside and out. If necessary, remove them and recaulk.

Click here to view and print the the Spring Fitting-Out Safety Checklist

You May Need ...

Anodes
Caulk (see "How To Pick The Right Sealant")
Air filter
Fuel filter
Power steering fluid
Transmission fluid
Hydraulic fluid
Distilled water
Lubricants
Stainless-stell hose clamps
Rigging tape

View Full Site

View Mobile Site

©2013, Boat Owners Association of The United States, All Rights Reserved.