Preparing Your Boat for Spring: Essential Maintenance Tips and Boat Insurance Considerations
Depending on where you live in the U.S., late winter means greenery is starting to poke through the soil — or you’ve got a foot of snow on the ground. The good news is that, regardless of where you call home, boating season is soon on the way.
When was the last time you reviewed your boat insurance policy? That’s only one of several steps you need to take to get your vessel ready for the year’s first dock launch. Here are several boat maintenance tips that should be on your boat spring maintenance checklist. At the very least, it will give you something to do while you wait for spring temperatures to break.
Cleaning and Servicing Basics
This is where you really focus on your boat’s aesthetics. After all, it’s been sitting out of action for the last several months, collecting dust, grime, salt, or other unwanted particulates.
Wash your boat’s exterior with a mild detergent and finish with a fresh coat of wax. Use spray glass cleaner on windows and hatches and vinyl cleaner on seats and upholstery. Your shop vac can do wonders sucking up a month’s accumulation of grit and grime to canvas, seating, and hard surfaces.
This would also be a good time to check off the presence of lifejackets, fire extinguishers, flares, and other onboard safety equipment.
The Importance of Spring Boat Preparation
No matter where you live, it’s been a long winter. Your boat may have been in storage for months. Is the electrical system up to par? Is it leak-free? Are the canvases intact if it’s a sailboat? How’s the motor running?
A lot could go wrong with a boat that’s been out of operation for months at a time. And you don’t want to waste half the boating season with a vessel that needs major repairs that you could have easily done off-season. That’s why you want to get a boat maintenance checklist in hand and start checking off actions that get your vessel in launch shape as early as possible.
In addition to getting you out on the water as often as possible, proper maintenance will help keep down the cost of your boat insurance.
Visual Points of Inspection
Start with a careful lookover. Be on the lookout for anything that looks worn, battered, broken, or in desperate need of replacement. Consider the following.
The Hull, Deck, and Fittings
You should have an eye out for cracks, blisters, and signs of corrosion. Check the functionality of hoses and bilge pumps, and make sure that ladders and railings are securely attached. Are there any signs of water leaks? Does the paint job need refreshing?
While your visual inspection is primarily focused on safety red flags, you’ll probably also want to consider your vessel’s aesthetics. The springtime of a new year means new beginnings. You might want your boat to truly look the part.
Mast, Rigging, and Sails (if Applicable)
A sailboat is a complicated machine. Much more complex mechanically than it looks. Its mast, sails, and rigging all work together to catch wind and power your boat forward. If any of those components are torn, broken, or out of sync, your boat is not seaworthy.
Carefully examine your sails for tears and your mast for cracks, dents, or corrosion. Test your rigging for proper tension and the whole system for excessive wear and proper alignment with your turnbuckles.
The Battery and Electrical System
Your battery has been unused for several months. It could be drained or dead. So start your pre-season check of the voltage with a voltmeter to see how important it might be to replace that key electrical component. Take a wire brush to scrub away corrosion on battery terminals, and make sure you have a good tight fit of all terminals.
Now run a visual test of all lighting and check wires for fraying.
Fuel System Vigilance
Your number one consideration here is to check for leaks, dents, cracks, or corrosion of the fuel tank or its connection points. Once that’s done, evaluate the condition of the fuel lines and check for loose clamps.
Check the condition of the fuel filters. Can they be cleaned up, or do they need to be replaced? Make sure that the fuel cap seals properly, then prime the fuel bulb while on the lookout for air leaks. Your fuel system must be able to deliver gas to the engine efficiently, and you can only be assured that that’s the case if all system components are carefully tested before the season.
Outboards, Inboard, and Sterndrive Engine Checks
Conduct a visual check for damage to the motor housing, exhaust system, cowling, and propeller. Inspect the water pump impeller for evidence of excessive wear and tear.
Then take on the fluids, checking and refilling engine oil, gear lube, and coolants. Start up your engine and see how it runs and responds. If the mechanics seem to be beyond your skill set, it might be a good idea to hire a certified boat mechanic to inspect the engine. Better safe than dead in the water.
Ensuring Proper Insurance Coverage
Your boat is an expensive toy that requires protection. And a lot could happen to it before, during, or after the season’s first launch. You could ruin an entire season if you have inadequate insurance coverage and, as a result, your boat is laid up in disrepair after an accident — awaiting your ability to cover the damages.
You might only be out on the water for half a year, but your craft has 12 months of financial risks. Even in dry dock, it could be subject to fire, theft, vandalism, or other cataclysmic damage. That’s why it’s in your own best interest to review your policy and make sure it can save your boat — and your finances — if the unexpected occurs.
Start with your deductible. A high deductible will keep your monthly premiums down, but if it’s too high, it might cost you too much out of pocket if you have a claim. Discuss your deductible amount with your boat insurance agent and find the figure that’s at a midpoint that translates to smart economics.
Now, consider the features of your coverage. Are you carrying liability or full coverage? Liability will pay for the legal claims and damages of others if you’re in a boating accident for which you’re declared to be at fault. But it won’t cover your own vessel or damages. A full coverage policy costs more but offers more wallet protection. Ask your agent to help you find the right balance against your budgetary realities.
The right insurance agent will be able to offer you the most competitive rates on all of your summer toys, including your boat, jet ski, ATV, and more.
Save on Boat Insurance This Spring and Get a Quote from Acceptance Insurance
Your independent boat insurance agent at Acceptance can help you prepare for boating season with assured financial protection. Your Acceptance agent doesn’t just offer the policies of one insurance company. They represent the insurance products of numerous brand-name carriers. That means they can go shopping for coverage on your behalf and bring you a selection of boat insurance policies that meet your needs for both quality and affordability.
Just call us at (877) 405-7102 or get a quick quote online. You can also find an Acceptance Insurance office near you so you can sit down with an agent before boating season. Put your mind at ease and have a great boating season.
