Spring Commissioning
Spring Commissioning
It’s that time of year again, time to unwrap the boat and get ready for more adventures on the high seas. If a dealer or boatyard is taking care of the commissioning duties, it’s highly likely they’ll use a checklist to ensure all items are covered. And, if you’re doing it yourself, you should consider using a checklist, too.
Some obvious checklist points include: wash and wax the hull and topsides; clean and oil the teak; sand and paint the bottom; and check to ensure all safety equipment from PFDs to fire extinguishers is operational.
A few less obvious, but important, spring commissioning points are: check the instrumentation wiring through the back access panel to ensure all fittings are clean and tight and have not been compromised by rodents over the winter; clean the bilge and remove any collected debris from the pump area to avoid clogging; and examine the battery fluid and charge levels to ensure the cranking power needed for the first start will be available.
A few additional points are: test all electrical and electronic devices as it’s easier to replace running light bulbs, electronics, and other components on land; check all belts, and hoses, and clamps, to confirm integrity and tightness particularly on those connections below the waterline to ensure the boat remains on top of the water when launched; cycle all through-hulls to ensure smooth operation; and examine critical components in the fuel system from the tank to the final fuel filter to avoid mid-summer trouble.
These are just a few touch points and surely, your boat has some nuances to consider which will make your checklist different. Regardless, the list will help ensure that you have all the bases covered before you head out, which can only result in more fun on the water this season.
