{"id":7666,"date":"2014-05-12T02:00:05","date_gmt":"2014-05-12T02:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boatcoversdirect.com\/boat-lovers\/?p=7666"},"modified":"2017-12-20T21:02:03","modified_gmt":"2017-12-21T02:02:03","slug":"prepping-your-boat-for-spring-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boatcoversdirect.com\/boat-lovers\/editors-picks\/prepping-your-boat-for-spring-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepping Your Boat for Spring Launch"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Tom's <\/p>\n

The weather is warming up. The fish are biting. You\u2019re already planning fun trips to the lake. There\u2019s only one thing standing in your way\u2014getting your boat ready for that first launch of the season! If you winterized your boat before you stored it for the winter, you\u2019re a step ahead. If you didn’t, no worries! Here are a few helpful spring boat preparation tips to get you on the water in no time!<\/p>\n

\"Outboard

Engine Maintenance<\/h2><\/p>\n

Just like with any engine that’s been sitting for an extended period of time, you\u2019ll probably want to start with a tune-up. Whether you take it to a professional or you\u2019re more of a DIY kind of person, the oil\/filters should be changed and the spark plugs should be checked\/cleaned. It\u2019s always a good idea to have a professional check the motor while it\u2019s out of the water (they have ways of doing this) to make sure the motor starts up on the first turn of the key.<\/p>\n

\"tubes\"

Hoses and More Hoses<\/h2><\/p>\n

Yes, there are a bunch of hoses and, yes, you need to check them to make sure none have busted, cracked, or gotten damaged over the winter and replace them. It\u2019s better to prevent a problem than to try to fix an issue when you\u2019re stranded in the middle of the lake. While you\u2019re at it, check the wiring. Look for loose wires that need tightening or any frayed wires that need replacing.<\/p>\n

\"Boat

Hull Inspection<\/h2><\/p>\n

Inspect the hull for any kind of damage. Look for cracks, blisters, and pitting. Check the rails, ladder, and swim platform. Make any necessary repairs (hopefully there aren\u2019t any!) and finish with a wash, wax, and detail, polishing all metals for a nice shine.<\/p>\n

\"Boat

Interior<\/h2><\/p>\n

Clean and make any necessary repairs to the upholstery. Check your Bimini top<\/a> and cover<\/a> for tears, holes, mildew and dirt. Clean with the appropriate cleaner and replace if necessary. (Check out our extensive line of Bimini tops and covers HERE<\/a>!) Remove all dirt and debris from the interior. Take a few minutes to tuck in any kind of wiring or baggage such as life jackets, paddles, and fishing gear that can clutter the boat and potentially be a hazard to you or your passengers. By doing this now, it can help avoid an issue down the road.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Spring boat preparation is a chore, but if you consider the rewards of readying that boat for the water, it\u2019s all worth it!<\/p>\n

\"Boat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":7695,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[93,40,43,57],"tags":[107,172,89,453,454,451,452,450],"class_list":["post-7666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-boatlovers","category-editors-picks","category-fanstories","category-resources","tag-bimini-top","tag-boat","tag-boat-cover","tag-boat-prep","tag-boat-preparation","tag-launch","tag-prep","tag-spring"],"yoast_head":"\nPrepping Your Boat for Spring Launch - Boat Lovers Direct<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Spring boat preparation doesn't have to be a headache. 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