| Boat Maintenance |
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| Get Ready for Boating Season |
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First trip out for the year? Follow these points to make sure your boat and trailer are ship-shape and ready to go.
Your Engine
Make sure your motor is tuned and in good running order. For carbureted outboards, install new plugs, look for oil leaks, check fuel lines and filters, change the lower-unit gear oil if you didn't do it before winterizing, and check all fluid levels. Four-stroke outboards may require additional steps, so review your owners manual or seek qualified service. For inboards, again, check all fluid levels, look for any sign of winter damage. Clean the motor of oil and grease, check fuel filter, gas and oil lines, vent hoses and make sure the gas tank has fresh gas in it. Start the motor to ensure that it operates properly and shifts correctly. Check your steering linkages, too, to make sure they operate freely, aren't rusty and that all anchor points are secure.
If you flushed your cooling system with antifreeze, flush it again BEFORE getting to the water. Certain types of antifreeze are toxic to fish and wildlife.
Your Boat
Check your boat for dry rot, cracks or leaks. In a wooden boat, poke at joints with a screwdriver to make sure the wood is firm and not deteriorating. Many fiberglass boats have plywood within the transom - look carefully to make sure the plywood is still rigid and not deteriorating. Make sure the bilge pump is functioning or that you have a bailing bucket on board.
Also, be sure to add a fuel stabilizer to your boat. Click here for information about E-10 and blended fuel precautions.
Your Trailer
Check your trailer for rust - it can weaken ball hitches, weld points and springs. Damaged areas should be repaired. Sand off and prime any rust spots you find to prevent further damage.
Check tire inflation and brakes and brake fluid. Spin the tires to ensure that bearings are operating freely. Make sure bearings are well-lubricated.
Lubricate all rollers, pivot points, the winch, and the coupler.
Look for signs of cracking or metal fatigue. Tighten bolts and screws and inspect the electrical system for worn wires or loose connections. Lights are vulnerable to corrosion, so pull off the covers and make sure bulb is not corroded to base. The bulb bases inside taillights can be sprayed with a light oil to keep moisture out.
Safety Check
Check to make sure all the required equipment is aboard your boat. Carry appropriately sized life vests for each user and make sure they aren't waterlogged, torn or deteriorating. You'll need an approved throwable flotation device, too, a sound-making device such as a whistle or horn, and, if operating in coastal estuaries, a visual distress signal. Depending on your boat, you may need a fire extinguisher and other equipment - check regulations. Lack of any of these items is a citable offense.
Any boat operating before sunrise or after sunset must display navigation lights. Many sporting goods stores or boat equipment stores carry clip-on lights.
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| Winterizing Your Boat |
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Even with Oregon's mild winter, it still pays to winterize your boat. You never know when the next hard frost will come, and once it's here, it may be too late. Even without the frost, an improperly stored boat can suffer damage through the winter. Follow these steps to help prevent costly repairs later.
Your Boat
If possible, store your boat ashore for the winter. The bulkhead, keel and motor are the critical areas needing support. Cradles work best, but don't store your boat on a cradle that was designed for a different model.
If you store your boat in the water, close all through-hull fittings, gate valves and seacocks. Do not close cockpit drains. Plug exhaust ports. Check your boat occasionally to make sure lines are secure, bumpers are in place, and the bilge is dry.
Cover the boat. Use a frame under the cover to prevent water from pooling and tearing your cover or damaging the boat. Canvas is best because it breathes, but plastic works too. Make sure you leave vents in it to allow condensation to escape. Allow for drainage if you're storing outside.
Add non-toxic anti-freeze to water tanks, toilets and septic holding tanks. Never use engine anti-freeze in a freshwater system.
Remove electronic equipment, important documents and other valuables that could tempt thieves.
Your Engine
- Drain the cooling system and add anti-freeze. On outboards, this means filling a large bucket or drum with enough antifreeze to reach the water intake, then running the motor until it is warm. Use a non-toxic antifreeze only.
- Disconnect the battery and store in a warm, dry place. If you have to leave it on board to operate an alarm or bilge pump, fill battery cells with distilled water and fully charge it so it doesn't freeze. Apply petroleum jelly to clean terminals to prevent corrosion.
- Oil: Drain and replace the engine, transmission and outdrive oil. Replace gear oil in outdrives. Use internal oil fogger while the engine is warm to prevent corrosion.
- Top off fuel tanks, leaving a little room for expansion. Add a fuel stabilizer.
- To keep water from collecting in outdrives, leave them in the down position.
Your Trailer
- Rust spreads easily, so inspect your trailer before storing. Sand off and prime any rust spots you find.
- Check tire inflation and brakes and brake fluid. Consider raising the trailer onto blocks to take stress off the tires and suspension.
- Lubricate all rollers, pivot points, the winch, and the coupler.
- Look for signs of cracking or metal fatigue. Tighten bolts and screws and inspect the electrical system for worn wires or loose connections. The bulb bases inside taillights can be sprayed with WD-40 to keep moisture out.
- Protecting your boat now against the extremes of winter will save you time and money in the long run.
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