Spring Maintenance for Your Xpress Boat

Just around the corner is warmer weather, sunshine, some unused vacation hours, and the open water. You’re probably itching to pull your Xpress boat out of storage so you can hit the water as soon as possible. But not so fast! You’ll need to undo everything you did to get it ready for storage. L&M Marine has provided some tips so you can get ready for your first outing on the water for the year. If you need additional advice, stop by our location near Mobile, Alabama, serving Pensacola, Florida and Biloxi, Mississippi, and chat with one of our experienced staff.

Before You Start…

As with any maintenance issue or check, you’ll want to review your owner’s manual before you get started. It can give you helpful advice on what’s important to check on your particular Xpress boat and what sorts of products you should be using. It can also give you some tips on when to perform preventative maintenance throughout the year. We’ll give you some of the more general tips we can offer, but for specifics, you’ll want to turn to the manual.

Initial Inspection

The most basic step you can take in preparing your Xpress boat for spring is to perform a thorough inspection. Look in every nook and cranny to see if there are any problem areas you need to address before you hit the water. This could be an issue that developed while it was in storage or something you missed beforehand. You’ll also want to be on the lookout for critters and pests who may have used your boat as a hibernation spot. Look for mold and mildew that may have started to grow and make sure to treat it before preparing for some on-water fun.

Check every aspect of the boat, including opening storage areas and livewells, looking at the upholstery, and simply inspecting every inch of the hull. You probably won’t mind leaving a few of the scratches or dents, but you’ll want to make note of more serious issues that should be taken care of sooner rather than later.

Electrical & Engine Check

Now turn to the motor. Your Xpress boat comes equipped with one of the best motors, but it’ll only continue to perform this way if you take care of it. Check the battery for corrosion or wear and test the charge. If you left it in the motor for the entire winter, then it’s probably dead. A recharge should do the trick.

When your battery is up and running, test the electrical system of the boat by checking the lights and any other areas that run on electricity. A bulb that doesn’t work might just need to be replaced, but if that doesn’t work, then there’s probably something else at play.

Check all your fluids, including your oil and fuel. The latter probably received some treatment to avoid the fuel breaking down, though this should just burn out as you run the motor. When it comes to your motor, if you run into serious issues, we highly recommend you call our service department for repairs, or even just a second opinion.

Safety Gear & Registration

Now’s also a great time to update your safety gear on your Xpress boat. Make sure you have the right number of lifejackets, and the right sizes, and that there are other personal flotation devices to keep you and your passengers safe. Replace any old items in your first-aid kit as well as your survival kit and emergency flares. Check the expiration on your fire extinguishers and replace those if necessary. And make sure your registration is up to date.

As you’re going over your boat, you might run into a problem that’s a little out of your league. If that’s the case, contact our service department at L&M Marine LLC and schedule an appointment with us so we can get your boat up and running in no time. We proudly serve all patrons from Mobile, Alabama; Pensacola, Florida; and Biloxi, Mississippi.