Guide To Boat Maintenance

When you finally take your boat out after months of storage, you might want to set sail immediately. Unfortunately, you can’t. A complete inspection and some tune-ups are mandatory to make her seaworthy, but the good news is that all it takes are a few easy DIY maintenance steps! We at Yankee Boating Center have compiled this checklist of start-up tasks to help you get your boat up to speed. For professional boat service and repair, visit us at Lake George Marina & Boat Rentals, Lake George Showroom & Service Department, and Thousand Islands Sales Center. 

Initial Inspection

Once you take the boat out of the storage and pull off the covers, the first thing you should do is closely inspect it to see if it sustained any damage or decay while in storage. Look for signs of mildew, mold, and rodent or insect infestation. Make sure you open all the hatches and the motor bay to have a good look. If you overlook this part, you might end up taking along some critters for your boating trip. As you check over the boat, remove any debris and waste. Don’t forget to examine your carpet, cushions and drapes for any signs of mold and mildew. 

Another important part of this initial check is to look over the boat’s hull. It most likely didn’t sustain any damage in storage, but it may have some dings or scratches you missed before you put it away. Make sure that everything is in good condition and doesn’t need to be repaired before using the boat. 

Electrical & Engine Check

To learn proper start-up procedures, consult your owner’s manual. Examine your batteries for wear or corrosion and ensure they work properly. Run your battery before you get your boat in the water so you can see if all the lights and other electrical systems work. Don’t turn the engine on until you’ve examined it for leaks around the gasket and engine heads. Check all the fluid levels, replace old oil and make sure your spark plugs still work. If your boat was in storage for a long time, drain the old fuel and fill your tank with fresh fuel that has no more than 10% ethanol content. Don’t attempt to resolve issues that you don't know much about; anything you can’t handle yourself, go to a reliable dealer, like your friends from Yankee Boating Center.  

Safety Gear & Documents

An important part of every boating experience is ensuring you have the right safety gear onboard. Ensure that all the lifejackets and personal floatation devices are in good condition, and that you have enough of them for every member of the trip. Make sure your first-aid kit has supplies that haven’t expired and are useable. Also, ensure that your boat tag and registration are up to date. The fire extinguisher should be up to date as well. 

Propeller Inspection

Inspect your boat’s propellers for pitting or damage; a damaged propeller can hurt your drive train with excessive vibration. Ensure that the propeller is properly secured in place. Look over your belts, hoses, and cables to make sure they haven’t become brittle over time. Your belts should fit snugly over pulleys. A worn belt will fit loosely and leave a black residue around the pulley, so get these replaced before they break and become a serious problem.

We hope this guide helps improve your boating experience. If you’re looking to get a new boat or if you want us to whip your old one into great shape, bring her over to Yankee Boating Center in Lake George. We also serve the area of Clayton.