As the boating season gets underway once more, many critical boat system components from engine starters to navigation lights to bilge pumps, must be gently, but firmly, brought to life. During layup, connections corrode, linkages get sticky, and rubber parts lose flexibility, which can lead to untimely failure. Another area that typically needs the rust knocked off is basic piloting skills. From docking to anchoring, initial summer maneuvers typically are less smooth than “normal”, much to the chagrin of the captain and first mate team. Net, allow yourself some time to realign both the boat components and your mental processes [...]