How Your Family Can Prepare for Summer Boating Season
The image source is Pexels.
Boating season is upon us, and with that comes the need for you and your family to prepare your boat for boating season and yourselves for having fun on your boat. There are several things that you and your family should do before putting that boat on the water. Keep reading to learn some tips that will benefit your family before setting out for summer boating season this year!
Cleaning Your Boat for Boating Season
This is a task that the whole family can do. To clean your boat, it is a good idea to scrub the interior with a mild detergent and then hose it down. If you have staining or mold growing in your boat, you will want to get a mold and stain removal product to help get the boat clean. It is a good idea to avoid bleach cleaners on your boat as this can change the original color of your boat. Use an oxygen-based cleaner to get the mold and gunk off of the inside of your boat. After you have cleaned the inside of the boat, you will need to get a boat hull cleaner and clean it well. Make sure that you rinse it off well. This is imperative before boating season begins.
Inspection and Repair
You and your family should inspect the boat while cleaning it. Look for cracks or any other damage that the boat may have. It is important to catch these issues early on to help prevent them from becoming a bigger issue or a safety issue while on the water. You should also check your battery if your boat has one. Check to ensure that the battery has a good charge, and you should also check acid levels. If the terminals are corroded, you should use a mix of water and baking soda to get the corrosion off.
Checking the Lights and Accessories
You and your family will need to test all of your lights to ensure that they work well. Test each light and have a member of your family look to ensure that they come off. You will also want to make sure you check your power trim and your trolling motor for proper functionality as well. These are very important to check in order to maintain safety for you and your family this boating season.
Engine Maintenance
Now is the time to do your engine maintenance, especially if you did not do it before putting your boat away over winter. You will want to take any old fuel left in the gas tank and dispose of it. You will also want to change the oil and use yamashield products to ensure that your motor runs smoothly. After you have done the maintenance on your engine, turn it on to ensure that it works well and does not have any issues. If you do spot any issues with your engine, you will want to have a mechanic look at it. Never take your boat out on the water if you are not 100 percent sure that the motor is working as it should.
Registration Renewal
You will want to make sure that you or a member of your family makes sure that the registration on the boat is renewed. You do not want to be caught out on the water without the proper boat registration.
Trailer Check Before Boating Season
Another thing that you and your family need to do is to check the trailer out well. Check all the tires and make sure that they are good to go, including the spare. If they need air, top off with air. It is a good idea to jack the trailer up and check each wheel individually. Check to make sure that the wheels spin freely and that they have no noise coming from them. You will also want to check your trailer lights to ensure that they work as they should.
Safety Gear for Boating Season
It is imperative to have proper safety gear on your boat. In most areas, it is the law. Everyone on your boat should have a life jacket that they can get into. It is a good idea to always store life jackets in several different sizes on your boat. You will also want to make sure that you have a working fire extinguisher on your boat. Another good idea is to ensure that you have a fully stocked first aid kit on board. It is also a good idea to always have some weather protection gear like ponchos and a weather radio in case of bad weather.
Conclusion for Summer Boating Season
Doing all the things above will help to ensure that you and your family are safe when you start your boating trips this summer. You will be able to unwind and relax with your family on the lake during sunny afternoon days.
