Before you and your Boat hit the Lake …

Out here, we’ve pretty much skipped over Spring and dove head first into Summer. For many of you, that means wheeling the boat out of storage and hitting the lakes. But before you do, there are some things you need to go over on your boat to be sure that it’s still seaworthy after the long cold months.

  • How old are your batteries? Do they need to be replaced after sitting all off-season?
  • Give all of your hoses and belts a thorough look over to make sure everything’s in good shape, and replace/repair any parts that are looking less than their best.
  • Your oil and filter should be changed every year or 50 hours, whichever comes first. When was the last time yours were changed?
  • Water pump impellers can shrink and become brittle over time, so you want to make sure yours is still in good shape and replace it if it’s not. Replacing your impellers can prevent more serious problems.
  • Take care to make sure all guages, electronics, antennae, and indicators are working properly.
  • Make sure all seals are unbroken and in good condition. Moisture seepage can cause serious damage that can easily go undetected.
  • Get your propellers professionally tuned, this can have a dramatic effect on fuel efficiency, performance, and comfort.
  • Check all bilge pumps for proper operation. Last time I checked, sinking wasn’t a good thing. J

The last thing you want to be thinking about while you’re flying through the water is whether or not your vessel is in tip top shape, you want to have the peace of mind knowing that you’ve already gone over every inch of your craft and everything is sound. Stay safe this summer and click here for the complete checklist. And if your lacking proper insurance on your boat (adding it onto your homeowners policy can leave coverage gaps), call up Sweeney & Sweeney for a free quote today! Paris and Carol are always willing and ready to help.