If you live in a cold-weather climate, you probably put your boat in storage for the winter. Even warm areas like Florida, South Carolina, or California will see people put their boats away for the winter months.
You might be getting anxious for boating and fishing season, but you still need to take the time to prep your boat after winter. It may have been months since your boat has seen water, so keep these tips in mind before you head out…
Give Your Boat a Thorough Cleaning
Before you head out on the water, take the time to give it a complete cleaning. This will help protect the materials and ensure that your boat keeps its value for years. Even if your boat was thoroughly cleaned before you put it away for winter storage, you still need to do some basic cleaning. Some of the general cleaning you should do included wiping and polishing all of the hard surfaces and vinyl seating, vacuuming the interior, and power-wash any hard surfaces like the deck and windows.
Your Boat’s Engine
The last thing you want is to get to the water only to find out your boat motor needs repairs or maintenance. At Scout, we only use the most reliable engines available, but you’ll still need to run a meticulous inspection on your boat’s motor just to be sure. You should change the oil, lubricate moving parts, inspect the spark plugs, and make sure the fuel lines are in top-notch condition. If you want to be 100% sure that your motor is ready for the water, take it to a certified mechanic and have them give it a spring inspection.
Inspect and Maintain Boat Parts
Give your boat a thorough inspection on all of its parts, including hoses, lighting, door hinges, and any other moving parts. While Scout is dedicated to building boats that last for years and years, it never hurts to check everything out. Other items you will want to inspect include pumps, tie-down cleats, and any winches that you may have on your boat. Like the motor, you can have a trained professional inspect these items for you to ensure that everything is covered.
Stock Up on Safety Equipment
We take boating safety very seriously, building boats that are safe, comfortable, and reliable, but you still need to do your part to maintain safety on the water. Taking your boat out of winter storage is a great time to make sure all of your safety equipment is still up to your high standard. Count the number of life jackets that you have available, and make sure your boat has a throwaway life preserver. Do you have kids? There’s a good chance they have grown over the winter and you may need to purchase new life jackets. You’ll also want to make sure that your flares will still work and your fire extinguisher hasn’t expired.
High-Quality Boats for Any Season
No matter where you live, no matter what water activities you enjoy, you can have a high-quality fishing boat that is comfortable, convenient, and reliable. Visit our website to learn more about our complete lineup of incredible boats!
