Fishing Gear Home
Boat Owners Spring Checklist
Before you hook-up your boat this spring and head out fishing here's some tips to help make sure your first fishing trip doesn't have any major surprises.
Electrical:
Check battery water level - use only distilled water
Check terminals for corrosion and clean if necessary
After cleaning a light coat of grease will prevent further corrosion
Charge batteries
Tape spare fuses to top of battery box covers
Required And Recommended Equipment:
Boat regisration paper on board. I keep mine in a zip-loc bag in the battery box.
Sound signaling device
Pfds and trowable pfd
Check fire extinguishers and recharge if necessary
Check navigation lights if applicable
Check bildge pump and clean if necessary
Boat Trailer:
Check wheel bearings and adjust if necessary
Grease wheel bearings
Inspect winch strap/rope and replace if necessary
Outboard And Fuel Systems:
Inspect fuel lines for softness, brittleness or cracking.
While squeezing the priming bulb very hard inspect the fuel line and connectors for fuel leaks. You can also remove the hood of the motor and inspect further. Rememeber that a slow leak can let air into the fuel system and cause hard starting and further damage to two-stroke motors.
Change grease in lower unit and make sure very little water exist or that grease is not milky.
If possible run your motor before heading out. If not possible leave the boat on the trailer until you know the motor is running right.
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