Getting Your Boat Ready for Spring

It's the glorious time of year - time to take your boat out of winter storage! Many thrilling voyages await, but you can't head out on the water just yet. The time in storage will have taken its toll and you'll need to tune-up your vessel before it's ready to go. We've created the following beginner's guide to preparing your boat for springtime. If you have questions or need to schedule a service appointment, talk to the experts at H&W Marine Powersports. Our dealership is located in Marshall, Texas, and Shreveport, Louisiana. We also proudly serve those in Longview, Texas, and Bossier City, Louisiana.

Clean Your Boat

All that time in storage likely left a layer of dust and grime on your boat. Give your boat a good clean to ensure it looks its best on the maiden voyage of the season. Address any mildew concerns, sweep away dead leaves, polish the chrome, wipe down the console, and shine the glass. Your passengers will love embarking on a journey in a clean boat. Plus, grime left too long can cause damage to your boat's materials.

Inspect Your Boat

Now that your vessel is cleaned up, give it a thorough inspection. See if the storage process left any damage. Open all the hatches and the motor bay and look around. Check over the carpets, seat cushions, and other fabrics for any mold or mildew. As you walk around, make sure that there are no animal or insect infestations that set up shop over the winter. Finally, look over the hull for any scratches or dents that you may have missed when putting it into storage.

Tend to the Engine

Inspect the boat engine for any leaks around the gaskets and engine heads. Then check the fluid levels, replace the oil, and double check that the spark plugs are good. If the fuel has been sitting in the tank for a long period of time, drain the tank and refill it with fresh fuel. Make sure this new fuel has no more than 10% ethanol content.

Tend to the Batteries

Look over your batteries for any corrosion and wear. Before you get your boat in the water, you will want to run your battery to test that the lights and other electrical systems work.

Check Your Safety Gear

Gather up all of your safety gear for a thorough inspection. Are all of your life jackets and personal flotation devices in good condition? Or do some need to be replaced? Do you have enough life vests and the right sizes for everyone who will be riding in the boat? Children can grow an impressive amount from year to year, so double check that last year's life vests still fit your kids.

Next, look at your first-aid kit. Make sure none of the ointments or medicines are expired. Add in any new supplies. Finally, make sure your boat is stocked with emergency flares and that your fire extinguishers are still up to date.

Check Your Boat's Registrations

Now is a good time to ensure your boat registration and tags are up to date. Make sure you also have all the right stickers on your boat.

Check Your Boat Trailer

You rely on your trailer to safely and securely haul your boat to your destination. Make sure your boat trailer is ready for the journey! Test all the lights to ensure none of them have burned out. Check the tires to ensure that there is no damage, that there is enough tread, and that each tire is inflated to the proper air pressure.

Check the Boat Cover

The final step is to inspect your boat cover for any rips, tears, mold, and mildew, then address any concerns you find. Clean the material with a compatible cleaner and make sure it's ready to offer the protection your boat needs!

We hope you found this maintenance guide useful! If you've uncovered an issue with your boat during your inspection, bring it to the service department at H&W Marine Powersports. Our experts can get your vessel repaired and ready in no time. We also offer a range of boats for sale if you are looking to buy. We proudly serve those in Bossier City, LA, and Longview, TX.