Checks
It’s early February and there’s plenty of snow on the ground and frequent arctic blasts from the North keeping the temperatures in single digits. The weather doesn’t support a lot of outside activities, but one activity DIY’s should consider is a brief boat check.
Lots of negative things can happen in mid-winter: loose covers can shift and collect snow, putting strain on boat hardware underneath the snow piles. Fluids can expand in improperly prepared hoses. And propellor shaft seals can suffer breakdowns if water is allowed to morph into ice around them. Basically, the winter weather illuminates any fall commissioning flaws which can result in real, expensive, damage.
So, when you’ve committed to brave the elements, work in a trip to the boat to nip any issues in the bud. When the weather turns and spring returns, you’ll be glad you did.
