Spring Commissioning

It’s that time of year again, time to get the boat ready for the water. There’s lots to do from washing and waxing the hull to tuning the engine. While the activities list can appear overwhelming, you can conquer it by planning ahead a bit and pacing yourself. Safety-related tasks deserve special attention. Check the flare expiration dates-they may appear to be in perfect condition in their sealed container, but the USCG rule dictates a 3 year life, so be sure to check the expiration dates.

Take a look at your wearable and throw able PFDs to see if they’re in tip top condition, and consider buying a few of the new inflatables which crew are more likely to wear underway

Examine your core wiring, especially behind the instrument panel where mice love to create nests from pieces of paper towel and wiring insulation.

And check your seacocks and hoses. Boats are most enjoyable when on top of the water, rather than underneath it, so you want to be sure that you reduce the risk of unexpected water flows and have an effective plan to deal with possible surprises.

This list is not an exhaustive one, but hopefully it will prove useful to starting the mental gears turning in this area. Boating is an adventure; make sure it’s a positive one.