Maintaining your boat during the fall season is essential to prevent issues from arising later when you need it. End-of-season boat maintenance is a necessary part of your fall plans. It goes beyond the routine maintenance you performed during the summer. You must take the time to thoroughly inspect your boat and go through all the recommended steps to identify any issues before you put your boat into storage.
Maintaining Your Boat: What to Do
Problems can worsen, making fixing more costly and time-consuming when ready to take your boat back into the water. Timely identification and reporting of damage also affect whether your watercraft liability policy helps to pay for the cost of repairs. Learn the crucial tips for fall boat maintenance to keep your vessel in excellent condition.
Engine Maintenance
It’s good practice to fill up your gas tank and add a fuel stabilizer before hauling out your boat. Additionally, you may need to service it by taking it to your mechanic. Your mechanic can change the fuel and oil filters and replace the water separator. Then, they can check fluids while inspecting the fuel line.
You must change the oil on your boat, similar to how you change the car. Also, replacing the water impeller is vital. The mechanic will then flush and winterize the water system. They likely will check plugs, hoses, wires, and belts while also checking the sacrificial anodes. Moreover, they will check the shift and throttle cables while ensuring the props, grease shaft, and threads are functioning. They will remove the battery at the end.
You may wonder if some of these tasks are necessary or better left for spring. The answer is that everything is better completed in the fall to stabilize the boat and prevent corrosion or worsening of any potential issues.
Boat Interior
The engine isn’t the only part that needs attention at the end of the season. The interior requires the following:
- Vacuum cushions and floor
- Clean upholstery and lubricate zippers
- Clean out the refrigerator
- Oil door hinges and latches
- Set out odor control and mildew-eliminating products
Once you have completed all the maintenance, do a final inspection of your boat to ensure you have gathered all your personal items and boxed up valuables. Finally, put on any boat cover you have before putting the boat into storage.
Boat Exterior
Inspect the exterior of your boat, clear away plant life, and clean the entire surface. Fix any scratches or nicks you find in the paint to prevent further chipping. You should also check the hatches and ports for leaks.
Boat Insurance
Remember that it’s a good idea to carry a watercraft liability insurance policy all year round. Even if your boat is in storage, there is still the risk of having it damaged or stolen. There are various types of marine insurance, so you can easily find a policy that suits your needs.
Whether you hire a professional or handle the winterization on your own, proper fall boat maintenance procedures are a crucial part of owning a boat. Going through a step-by-step checklist is the best way to ensure you remember every detail and keep your boat in excellent condition for the following season.
About Mariners Insurance
Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.
