Now that we are coming into another summer, it’s time to wake the boat from its winter slumber and get it ready for a trouble-free season.
It is well worth carrying out some basic jobs to ensure your boat (and trailer) are ready to roll.
If you are competent mechanically, you may do these things yourself.
If not, use a reliable mechanic. If you can book your boat and trailer in each year at a mechanic near to where you use the boat, you might find this puts you in a better position when trying to get an emergency fix done to your boat in the height of summer. No guarantees of course, but you’re a better chance of having the mechanic help you out when you’re a regular customer.
Boat maintenance
Even if your boat hasn’t done many hours over the previous summer, it is well worth booking it in for an annual service to stop any problems bobbing up next season. Again, make a list of any problems you know about.
CHECKLIST
◊ service and tune
◊ check water pump
◊ check shaft, skeg, prop etc
◊ battery, alternator and electricals
◊ check steering cable
◊ check safety gear, torch, flairs, life vests, oars etc
Trailer maintenance
This is definitely the time to book your trailer in for a service, and new tyres if necessary. If you have some mechanical skills and are up with the relatively basic jobs like checking wheel bearings and brakes, you can probably do this at home. If not, make a list of any problems you are aware of, and then take it in for a service that will be both quick and cheap, and will ensure a trouble-free summer.
CHECKLIST
◊ wheels
◊ wheel bearings
◊ brakes
◊ tyres
◊ jockey wheel
◊ trailer lights
◊ runners and rollers
Accessories
This is also the time to consider getting any new bits and pieces for the boats. A new stereo might be in order, or perhaps a new bimini or boat cover.
If you take these few basic steps you will find you’re boat ready to leap into action when the warm weather comes around again next summer. Let’s face it, we’ve all pulled the boat out of the shed for the first run of the season, only for everyone to look at each other and say, “Hey, did we fix the …..”.
