Mid-Season Maintenance Checks

Hard to believe, but it’s already time to start thinking about giving your vessel a mid-season check. The good news is this procedure probably doesn’t require a full set of de-winterizing operations. Still, mid-season checks are vital since they can catch potential problems that could later bloom into repairs costing both significant money and prime dates on the water.

With summer’s routine making time seem more precious than ever during the heat of boating season, it’s easy to push off a simple maintenance check for another day – but that can quickly turn into another week, a month or even a fully missed opportunity to make your vessel purr while protecting it from significant damage. For this reason, it’s a smart idea to pick a date, log it in your calendar, and stick to your schedule without overruns.

As with pre-season checks and post-season inspections, consider the following suggestions as starting points. Should you uncover any unexpected or potentially serious problems, a visit to a boat shop or marine mechanic for a more thorough assessment is warranted.

Hull Inspection

Start with a once-around inspection of the hull, looking for anything that doesn’t seem quite right. Check for loose fittings, screws and attachments, and replace or secure as necessary. Carefully inspect the hull for any new chips, scrapes or divots that might need repair and address appropriately.

Next, inspect your transom for loose bolts, rot, etc. You can tighten bolts and screws yourself, of course, but significant softness should be addressed ASAP in consult with a professional as rot is often more substantial than initial inspections reveal.

Battery Check

Battery checks are simple enough, but you want to spend a little more time on this than a quick glance. Begin by ensuring all batteries are fully charged. Clean terminals and cable ends with a stiff wire brush and check that the lock is securely connected to the cables. The Coast Guard requires batteries to be properly secured with the battery posts covered, so ensure your straps or holders are tight and the post caps are in place.

Switch And Button Check

Turn on all lights, blast the horn, power-up your electronics package, run the livewell, and test the wash down. If anything requires attention or repair make sure to add it to your to-do list. If you have an automatic bilge, lift the float handle to see that things are working properly. Check that the manual operation of the bilge pump works, too. Now is also a good time to make sure you have a valid fire extinguisher and sufficient number of life jackets on board. Both should be within easy reach.

Listen To Your Engine

Now is also a good time to check engine fluid levels including the oil, coolant, steering fluid, transmission/lower unit, or outdrive oil. Visually inspect all fuel lines for cracking and sufficient flexibility, replacing any that show wear or stiffness. Grease hardware as per your operation manual. You may also want to check your spark plugs if your engine has been “missing” on occasion or they haven’t been replaced since last year. Replace if necessary.

Next, turn the engine ON and listen for loose belts. Double-check all hose connections and see that the steering wheel turns smoothly in all directions. Ensure everyone and everything is clear of the engine and then shift it into forward gear, reverse, and back to neutral. Make sure to also check that your engine is pumping water at a sufficient rate.

Lastly, confirm your engine cut-off switch actually works. Remove the lanyard with your engine running to prove the switch is operating properly. Once you are satisfied, it’s time for a quick test run. Hopefully you’ll be set for smooth cruising and sailing for the rest of the season.

Trailer T.L.C.

Of course, if you trailer your boat you’re not finished yet. After all, even if your engine is running beautifully, it’s useless if you can’t get it to the launch ramp. Thus, a quick check, and probably a little trailer T.L.C. is in order.

Begin by ensuring your tires are fully inflated. When that’s done, check that the trailer height adjustment crank handle is tightly secured and in good operating condition. Next, with your trailer attached to your towing vehicle and the trailer lights connected, flip on the hazard lights to ensure they work. Make sure to test the left and right blinker, and the brake lights. Address if necessary.

Note that larger trailers have brakes. Top-off the reservoir with brake fluid to ensure they remain in good condition. Lastly, check your trailer’s wheel bearings and grease them if necessary because nothing grinds a would-be boating adventure to a halt quicker than a frozen trailer wheel.

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