This suggested easy to follow checklist will help you through the
de-winterize process. It covers the important components that
contribute to boating safety by briefly and concisely stating what items
should be checked, what to inspect for and what action should be taken.
FITTING OUT - SPRING HAS ARRIVED
INTRODUCTION
De-winterize, check, repair,
replace, renew, update, and maintain.
HULL & DECKS
Clean, repair, and paint or
wax/polish.
ZINCS
Inspect and replace shaft,
heat exchanger, and outboard zincs.
BILGE PUMP
Check operation of all bilge
pumps (manual and electric) and float switches. Clean bilge pump inlet
strainers. This would be a good time for cleaning the bilge if
necessary.
ENGINE
Change crankcase oil and oil
filter. Change fuel filters. Check cooling system. Check specific
gravity. Add antifreeze as required. If the antifreeze is old, drain and
flush the cooling system and replace with the recommended antifreeze
mixture. Change spark plugs on gasoline engines.
ENGINE INSTRUMENTATION
Check thermometer, tachometer,
oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge, fuel guage, voltmeter, ammeter,
and running time meter for proper operation. Repair or replace as
required.
AUXILIARY GENERATORS
Same as main engine.
OUTBOARDS
Check fuel filter. Drain fuel
tank and refill with fresh fuel/oil mixture. Check spark plugs, change
as required. Check and fill lower unit with recommended oil.
ELECTRICAL
Check running, deck and
interior lights, horns and other electrical appliances. Repair/replace
as required.
BATTERIES
Check electrolyte levels and
add distilled water as required. Check voltages (12.6 volts steady
state) of batteries and specific gravity’s of individual cells.
Replace batteries with uneven cell specific gravity’s and low steady
state voltages.
ELECTRONICS
Check VHF, Single-sideband,
Loran, GPS, Radar, Auto-pilot, and other electronic devices for normal
operation. Repair or replace as required.
REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING
Check all units for normal
operation.
WATER HEATERS
Check all units for normal
operation.
SAILS
Wash, patch, repair, re-stitch
as required.
SAFETY DEVICES
Make sure flares are up to
date, signaling devices work, and there are enough PFD’s on board. Don’t
forget to have PFD’s for children under 13 to wear while on deck per
the new federal regulation.
REGISTRATION
Is your registration current?
Are your registration numbers displayed correctly? Don’t forget about
your insurance.
TANKS
Drain and flush water tanks.
Refill with clean water. Treat as necessary. Pump and flush holding
tanks. Add chemicals. Top off fuel tanks. Add chemicals, especially to
diesel tanks.
HEADS
Pour head lubricant (vegetable
oil) into bowl. Pump oil into tank to lubricate pump.
CANVAS
Inspect for wear and tare.
Re-stitch patch, or replace as necessary.
STANDING RIGGING (SAILBOATS)
Take a trip up the mast. Take
your time. Look at the fittings. Feel the stays and shrouds for broken
wires. While you are there check antennas, lights, and windexes. Are the
sheaves worn or frozen. Make those repairs now. They are all but
impossible while under way. This is a good time to check out the life
lines. Inspect the crimp fittings carefully.
RUNNING RIGGING
Check halyards, sheets, etc.
for wear. Consider turning lines end for end to distribute wear
patterns. Inspect blocks, cleats, winches, travelers, tracks and slides
for wear or damage. Repair or replace as required.
LINES (CORDAGE)
Inspect dock and anchor lines for wear or damage. Check position of
chafeguards and snubbers. Make sure fenders are in place.
PROVISIONS
After taking care of the
details above, its time to think about some specific requirements for
the upcoming season. Where are you going? Do you have a plan? How many
days will you be gone? What do you need to take? Fuel, Water, Propane,
Food, Drinks, Clothes, Toiletries, Bedding, Foul weather gear,
Flashlights with spare batteries, Dinghy, Outboard, oars, etc. The list
goes on and on. Write it down. Check off the items. Don’t forget
charts and books with "local information".
A good place to start is to clean the lockers. Replace food stores,
clean out leftovers and ask why they were there and whether they need to
be kept or replaced. Spare filters and bulbs are only good if they fit.
If you replace a fixture, do you have a spare for the new one? Did you
use up spares last year? Now is the time to replace them.
If you did this last year, its time to refine the list and enjoy
another season on the water. |
