De-Winterizing Your Boat

Once spring thaws everything out and the weather heats up, boat owners start itching to get their boats out onto the lake as soon as possible. But you probably laboriously winterized your boat in the fall, and you’ll have to reverse that process so she’s ready to take on her first spring voyage. Here at Mark's Leisure Time Marine, we’ve drawn up this list of tips on de-winterizing your boat so you can confidently head to the water knowing your boat is in good working conditions. Mark’s Leisure Time Marine has locations in Conesus and Canandaigua, New York, so if your boat needs parts or maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule professional service.

Inspect Your Boat

Right after you pull your boat out of the garage or shed and throw off the cover, you should inspect her carefully. Pull off the covers and open up the hatches to have a good look around. You’ll be looking for any damage that might have been missed in the fall or could have happened in storage, such as mold and mildew or even an infestation. Drain any water build-up, too. Look over carpets and cushions and across the console for mildew which will need to be scrubbed clean. Check the hull for cracks or weak points in the welding. Anything that seems amiss that you can’t quickly address means you should get your boat serviced by professionals.

Check Your Engine

Once you’ve determined there are no surface problems with your boat, you’ll have to take a close look at the engine. For outboard engines, remove the nacelle and check the coolant and oil levels to see that they’re topped up and in good condition. Check around the gaskets and engine heads for signs of leaking. For inboard engines, you’ll want to open the engine bay to inspect the same parts. Pull out a spark plug or two to see if they’re functional and look carefully for evidence of corrosion that would necessitate replacement. You’ll want to perform any small engine repairs like replacing the spark plugs now if you can so that your boat will work well all season long.

Test Electronics & Other Equipment

Your other equipment has probably been in storage for a while, so make sure you get it all on board before you head out. Test out the batteries on your fish finder and GPS system before mounting them on your boat. Check your safety equipment and emergency gear to make sure it’s up-to-date and functional, like life jackets, personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, tool boxes, repair kits and signal flares.

Look Over Your Canvas

The canvas covering on your boat may have gathered mildew or mold while in storage, so you’ll want to give it an inspection. Patch up any rips and tears and wash off any debris so your boat covering will continue to serve you well. Look over the seats on your boat, too, as these might also have similar mildew issues. UV exposure can weaken the fabric and cause tears, too.

Spruce It Up

Before you stowed your boat for the winter, you’ll ideally have cleaned her up. However, dead leaves and mildew might have accrued over time, so why not shine everything up so your boat gleams when she’s on the water? Clean the glass and windscreen and mirrors, polish the chrome and dust the console. Rinse out your coolers and livewell if you have one, and make sure everything is spotless and smells fresh instead of dusty and moldy. Your passengers will thank you!

Seeking a new fishing boat for the summer? We have a vast selection of new and used boats for sale, including pontoons and deck boats. If your current boat needs service, don’t hesitate to call us and make an appointment for professional maintenance. Mark’s Leisure Time Marine has two locations in Conesus and Canandaigua, which are conveniently located for our customers in Rochester and Syracuse, New York.