Bay Boat Summer Prep Tips
If you’ve been dragging your feet on getting your bay boat ready for summer, with the weather really starting to warm up, you might be more motivated to pull out your vessel. But of course, you can’t just pull it out of storage and hit the water. There’s some touching up that needs to happen first. We have provided a quick guide to preparing your craft for the upcoming season.
Initial Inspection
The easiest thing you can do, even if you don’t have a lot of mechanical experience, is to simply inspect your bay boat. Search every nook and cranny for signs of wear and tear or problems that may have accumulated over time, even over the winter. This could range from broken or worn parts to mold and mildew to even infestations. Open all compartments and search any possible crevice where a problem could be hiding.
The hull also needs inspecting, from bow to stern. This will take a while and require diligence and good lighting. We also recommend actually feeling along parts to see if your sense of touch catches things your eyes don’t. You don’t want any holes or leaks, but you might also consider fixing scratches and dents while you’re working on it.
Electrical and Engine Check
You’ll want to do a little more than just look around for problems though. Your motor needs special attention, especially after it’s been sitting for so long. Check the battery for corrosion and make sure it’s charged and fully operational.
Check all fluid levels and conditions and replace or top off any that need it. You might want to get a tank of fresh fuel as well. And of course, you’ll want to test out the engine for signs of underperformance or strange sounds that might indicate something’s off. Make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area and not your garage! If you do run into trouble, contact our service department at Enns Brothers.
Safety Gear and Registration
If you removed your safety gear before storage, it’s time to bring it back. This should include life jackets, first-aid kits, emergency supplies, and fire extinguishers. Make sure all your supplies still work and replace anything that’s expired. Also double-check your registration and make sure that your tags didn’t expire over the winter as well.
Cleaning
As you perform your inspection, you might notice a layer of dust collecting in certain spots, or even just some general grime that’s been collected. This could be on top of leaves, animal droppings, mildew, or other common issues post-storage. You’ll want to take a moment and clear out all of this gunk so everything’s clean and inviting. If you use seat covers, they should also be inspected and cleaned as necessary.
You might run into some issues that you can easily fix yourself, but there are others that require more expertise or more specialized tools. If you need professional assistance before you hit the water, contact the service department at L&M Marine LLC in Stapleton, AL. We’ll help you get on the water with your bay boat in no time. We welcome all patrons from Mobile, AL, and Pensacola, FL.