Preparing Your Boat for Spring

Spring is right around the corner, which means it’s time to get your boat out of storage! Keep reading to see what you should do to de-winterize your craft. If you want any more information or you’re looking to buy a new vessel, contact JC Sports in Seneca, South Carolina. We also proudly serve those in Greenville and Anderson!

Check the Engine

Before you hit the water this spring, you’ll need to check up on your boat’s engine. Cold weather can hit the engine especially hard. 

Belts

Start with the belts. Gently press on them with your hand. If there's a lot of give, it may be time to replace the belts.

Tanks and Hoses

Next, check up on the tanks and hoses. Hoses can be prone to splitting and cracking when it’s cold, so examine it for any damage. A big part of the de-winterization process is making sure there is nothing that could cause a leak. If you find damage, immediately replace the hose. 

Fluids

Now it’s time to check on your boat’s fluids. Hopefully you stabilized your fuel or emptied the tank entirely before storage. If you did neither of these, empty the tank now. If you leave fuel alone for too long, it can degrade or go stale. Make sure there is no damage to the fuel tank, then fill it up!

Coolant is another important filter to check before this spring. Hopefully you emptied it before winter. Make sure there is no damage to the coolant lines and tanks. You can also check up on your oil at this point. You’ll probably need to either replace it or fill it up.

Battery  

Batteries are particularly bad at handling cold weather. Hopefully you removed the battery from your craft and hooked it up to a trickle charger. No matter how you stored it, it’s time to test it out. Check the volts and amps with a battery tester to make sure it can still hold a charge. If your battery won’t charge at all, you’ll need to replace it before taking your boat out this spring. If it’s functioning properly, all you need to do is clean any corrosion from the terminals and hook it back in!

Are you ready to hit the water this spring? We hope this guide helps you complete all of your boat de-winterization tasks with ease. If you have any questions, reach out to our friendly staff at JC Sports. We are located in  Seneca, South Carolina, and we are proud to serve Greenville and Anderson too. We look forward to helping you make the most of your time on the water this spring!