Avoid That Sinking Feeling with a Spring Commissioning Checklist

Published: Saturday, April 14, 2012 7:00 am
By: Fremont Insurance

Michigan boaters look to the spring boat shows as an indication that summer fun is just around the corner…a time when they can once again return to the waterways. Michigan residents’ love of boating should come as no surprise considering the unprecedented access available to the state’s many lakes and rivers. In addition to the four Great Lakes, Michigan also offers 11,037 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams and more than 700 access sites. Unfortunately, for an unlucky few, the boating season can get off to a bad start as a result of a phenomenon that is far more common than many people realize: spring sinkings.

Top Five Reasons Why Boats Sink in the Springtime:

Missing or damaged hose clamps: Clamps are often removed in the fall and then forgotten about in the spring.
Unsecured engine hoses: Over the winter, freezing water can lift hoses off seacocks (valves).
Spring rains: Heavy rains combined with leaking ports, deck hatches, cracked or improperly caulked fittings, can lead to disaster.
Broken sea strainer: Glass, plastic and even bronze strainer bowls can be cracked or bent if not properly winterized, allowing water to trickle in.
Leaking stuffing box: A steady drip from an improperly adjusted stuffing box can swamp a boat.

Spring sinkings may be the result of many things, but according to BoatUS, the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters, the most common culprit is poor winter maintenance followed by a hasty return to the water without first properly commissioning your boat to prepare it for the season ahead.

Each spring, boaters can avoid having their launches turn into a disaster by taking the time to complete a basic overhaul of their boat using a simple commissioning checklist.

Spring Commissioning Checklist:

Replace any heavily worn or damaged life jackets
Check flares and fire extinguishers
Check first-aid kit and replace expired supplies
Ensure that drain plug is properly installed
Inspect prop(s) for dings, pitting, and distortion
Inspect the hull for blisters, distortion, and stress cracks
Ensure intake strainer is corrosion-free and properly secured
Inspect rubber outdrive bellows for damage
Replace deteriorated outdrive zincs
Check power steering and power trim oil levels
Use a hose to check for deck leaks at ports and hatches
Inspect hoses and fittings for a snug fit and check for leaks
Check the engine shaft and rudder stuffing boxes for steady leaks and looseness
Inspect fuel-system components for leaks – fuel tanks, pumps, lines, filters, etc.
Exhaust manifolds should be removed and checked for corrosion every few years
Clean and tighten electrical connections, especially both ends of battery cables

Sailboat Rigging:

Fittings, especially swage fittings, should be inspected for cracks and rust
Wire halyards and running backstays should be inspected for “fishhooks” and rust
Ensure spreaders bisect the shrouds at equal angles
Remove tape on turnbuckles and lubricate threads (preferably with Teflon)
Chainplates mounted through the deck should be caulked as necessary

Don’t forget to check your trailer as well before heading out. Things to look for include:

Inspect trailer tires for wear and inflate properly
Test the winch
Check the trailer frame for rust spots
Inspect wheel bearings, re-pack if necessary
Test the lights before towing
Trailer tags renew annually on your birthday, just like car license tags

For more information on responsible boating, visit the Fremont Insurance website, www.fmic.com.

Fremont Insurance is a Michigan-exclusive company, insuring and investing in Michigan since 1876. We are Pure Michigan and offer our products through 175 independent agents across our Great Lakes state. On behalf of everyone at Fremont Insurance, have a memorable and safe boating season.

tags: Spring Commissioning