Springtime is fast approaching, which means it’s time to pull your boat out of winter storage and get it ready for another season of fun on the water. Hopefully you read our tips for winterizing your boat – it will save you some prep time and possibly a few headaches…

For those of you who didn’t winterize your boat before you stored it, it’s time to get to work so you’ll have you boat ready to head back out on the water. Follow these easy tips and you’ll have your boat ready in no time:

1) Before you start, grab your owner’s manual

If you don’t have a copy, get one. You need to know how to replace fluids and parts, and you should never take apart anything on your boat without checking your manual first.

2) Get your engine ready

You should start with your boat’s engine, since it’ll take longer than anything else and will cause the biggest mess. If you didn’t change your oil before you stored the boat for the winter, you should change it now. Fresh oil will help prevent corrosion and excessive wear, which will lead to poor fuel economy, loss of power, or even engine failure. Check your oil filter and make sure it’s in good shape – change it if it needs changing. Once you’re done, flush your cooling system and replace your antifreeze with a mixture of 50/50 water and coolant. For the final step, replace your batteries and preform a thorough engine test.

3) Check your windshield wipers

Check your wipers and replace them if needed. If they’re good enough to keep, apply rubber lubricant to protect them from the marine environment.

4) Check your hull

Look for blisters, chips, cracks, or chalky residue. Repair any blisters that you find. If you find a chalky spot, that could be a sign of oxidation. Determine the level of oxidation and then restore your gelcoat to its original luster. Make sure you follow a regular gelcoat maintenance plan throughout the summer to prevent oxidation.

5) Clean and wax your hull

Visit your nearest marine supply store and get some marine safe cleaner, then use it to clean the entire exterior of your boat. Once you’re done, apply a fresh coat of wax.

6)  Check your vinyl and canvas

Take a good look at your bimini top, covers, seats and any other vinyl or canvas areas. Check for tears, mildew, or dirt. If you find any holes or tears, repair them, and then use a vinyl or canvas cleaner to clean everything.

7) Polish your teak and metal

Use a metal polisher like Never Dull to polish all of the metal surfaces on your boat. Check your teak and polish all of the wood surfaces. If your teak is in deteriorating shape, you’ll need to sand it down and then apply stain and varnish.

8) Check your electronics

Bring all of your electronics back on board and test everything to make sure it’s all working properly. If there are any problems, replace the necessary parts so that everything is in working order.

Follow these 8 easy tips to de-winterize your boat and you’ll be ready for another summer of fun after just a few hours of work. Remember, Thunder Road has a fully-stocked marine shop conveniently located next to the Clarksville Marina – we’ve got everything you need for your boat and your summertime fun. If you’re ready to trade in for a new boat, head over to our website and check out our inventory –  we’ve got the best prices on new and used boats in Clarksville. Call us today at 931-906-0002 or just come on by!