{"id":21046,"date":"2023-05-23T09:30:33","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T13:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/?p=21046"},"modified":"2024-06-28T12:01:32","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T16:01:32","slug":"how-to-prep-your-boat-for-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/your-life\/how-to-prep-your-boat-for-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prep Your Boat for Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Is your boat ready for summer?
Free Image via Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The water is sparkling, the fish are jumping, and it\u2019s time \u2013 at last \u2013 to get started on your spring boat prep. If you\u2019re asking yourself, \u201cWhen does boat season start?\u201d \u2013 we\u2019re here to tell you: it starts the day you bring your vessel out of boat storage<\/a> and start the process of getting her ready for the open water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019ve been around boats your whole life, or are just developing an interest in the activity, you likely know that boat prep is a big part of a successful season. Of course, there are different types of maintenance you need to undertake at various points in your boat ownership journey, including boat prep for winter storage, boat prep for hurricanes, and boat prep for spring and summer. The latter is what we\u2019re focused on in this post. We\u2019ll walk you through a quick guide covering the ins and outs of spring boat prep. Coastal grandmas<\/a> and grizzled sailors alike might learn something new. So, strap on those life jackets and climb aboard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smooth\nSailing: Prepping Boats for Summer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Check out our quick checklist to organize your boat prep efforts.
TBD Free Image via Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prepping boats for summer is a time-consuming task that some owners dread. It can be mundane, dirty, and expensive. But it also has both immediate and lasting effects on the longevity of the boat itself as well as the health and safety of its users. Skipping spring boat prep is simply not an option. So, let\u2019s get down to it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first order of business is to develop an understanding of what exactly you need to do (and what you need to check) in order to adequately prepare your boat for use. We suggest writing down a comprehensive task list, and then breaking up your list into major sections in order to tackle things in an orderly way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Inspect Your Boat<\/em> <\/strong>\u2013This is the first step and maybe the most critical considering how meticulous you must be. While we\u2019re not going to provide an exhaustive list of what needs to be checked, we will say that your inspection should include (but is not limited to): drains, ladder, fittings, rudder, stanchion, pulpits, navigation lights, seacocks, hoses, clamps, pumps, anodes, fuses, gauges, filters, belts, fluids, visible wiring, electrical systems, fuel system, exhaust systems, battery, antennas, safety gear (more on that in step 7), bilge blower, ropes, sails and propellers. In short order, check everything carefully \u2013 regardless of whether or not it seems damaged at first glance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Clean Your Boat \u2013 <\/em><\/strong>The second step can be time-consuming and tiring but is important for ongoing maintenance as well as the comfort of you and your passengers throughout the season. Your cleaning checklist should Include (but is not limited to): the hull, deck, topsides, windows, hatches, blinds, and seats. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Paint Your Boat<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>\u2013<\/strong> While prepping boats for summer definitely doesn\u2019t always include painting, you may want to consider it if your boat is beginning to show its age or any damage to its paint or gelcoat. If you\u2019re looking for info on how to prep a boat for bottom paint \u2013 including dewaxing and which anti-fouling products, you should use \u2013 check out this article<\/a> for some great tips and links to other resources. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Wax Your Boat<\/em> \u2013<\/strong> Once your boat is painted, you\u2019ll need to buff and wax it. This step is critical to help protect your investment from corrosion, barnacles, and other potentially damaging buildup and substances. It will also make caring for the boat much easier in the future. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Oil Wood Surfaces<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 <\/em>Wood surfaces on your boat should be cleaned and oiled for longevity. While some woods (including teak, oak, and cedar) are resistant to decay and don\u2019t need to be finished, they will look better if you take the time to polish them up. If your boat includes tropical hardwood (e.g., cocobolo or lignum vitae), you are advised to leave it bare. The same goes for teak decks. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Replace Damaged or Outdated Items<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>\u2013 Hit the local marina to replace anything that has turned up damaged, worn, or missing during your inspection. This is also a good time to change your oil and filter, fuel filter, transmission oil, drive belt, air filters, and grease up your steering cable as necessary. If you\u2019re unaware of the replacement schedule for various boat components, now is a good time to study up on it and start a replacement record. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Check (and Double Check) Safety Gear<\/em> <\/strong>\u2013 While you may have added it to the inspection list in step one, safety gear deserves a section of its own. According to the National Safe Boating Council<\/a>, you should check life jacket fit and inflate per the owner\u2019s manual, restock your first aid kit, change spare batteries, and invest in at least two waterproof communication devices. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Look Over Your Trailer <\/em>\u2013 <\/strong>Spring boat prep also should include checking your trailer in order to prevent any safety issues. Inflate tires to the recommended PSI, replace any burnt out light bulbs, and test tie downs and any other related equipment well before <\/em>you take your boat out of storage. You definitely don\u2019t want any surprises on the road.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Educate Yourself <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 It\u2019s never a bad idea to enroll in a safe boating course. The majority of states require at least some level of formalized education or licensing, but even if you\u2019re not required by law to brush up on your skills, it is still highly recommended. Classes are provided in a variety of formats (including online, video, and in-person) and by a number of different organizations. Check out a comprehensive list of boating education providers<\/a> from the American Boating Association. It\u2019s also a good time to review your state\u2019s boating laws<\/a> (as well as the boating laws of any state you might be visiting over the summer). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Schedule a vessel safety check <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 The last step before hitting the water is to schedule a free vessel safety check<\/a> with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The appointments generally take between 15 and 30 minutes and include inspection of your registration, lights, life jackets, ventilations, fire extinguishers, flares, horns, and the battery cover and connections. If your boat passes and is in full compliance with all state and federal boating laws, you\u2019ll be granted a display decal to quickly inform regulatory agents that your boat is \u201cship shape.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Last and most important step: Enjoy Summer boat season!
    Free Image via     Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    While our boat\nprep checklist is not a comprehensive catalog of every single action you\nneed to take to ready your boat for the season, we hope it\u2019s given you a good\nidea of where to start and what to cover. There are a number of great resources\nonline, many of which we\u2019ve linked to above. For more info, we also suggest\nthese pieces on how to get your boat ready for summer from My Boat Life<\/a> and Bennington<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The water is sparkling, the fish are jumping, and it\u2019s time \u2013 at last \u2013 to get started on your spring boat prep. If you\u2019re asking yourself, \u201cWhen does boat season start?\u201d \u2013 we\u2019re here to tell you: it starts the day you bring your vessel out of boat storage and start the process of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":24291,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642,641],"tags":[1870,1871,1872],"class_list":["post-21046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hobbies","category-your-life","tag-boat-prep","tag-prepping-boat-for-summer","tag-spring-boat-prep"],"yoast_head":"\r\nHow to Prep Your Boat for Summer | The Storage Space<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ready for boating season? Learn how to prep your boat for summer with our comprehensive guide. 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