Memorial Day is almost here, and it’s time to take out the boat for the summer! Giddy days are ahead, but first, you need to make sure everything is (sorry for this) ship shape. First, make sure to get ahold of your Baldwin Woodville agent and make sure to switch from the winter storage insurance to your full use summer Minnesota or Western Wisconsin boating insurance policy. Also check that your current registration is onboard.
Cleaning and Minor Repair
Once that’s taken care of, it’s time to spend some quality time with your boat. No matter what kind of boat you have, you will need to give her an overall cleaning, including the deck, topside, and hull. It’s best to use a mild detergent for this. Also clean the windows, hatches, canvas, and all the interior, including the bilges.
As you clean, look out for abrasions, gouges, or scratches, and repair them. Your local sports shop can help you find the right products. Do any refinishing that might be necessary if you have blisters, and touch up your antifouling paint as necessary.
Finally, give her a good waxing, and shine up the metal with a good polishing. There’s no point having a boat for our short Midwestern summers if it doesn’t look beautiful.
Safety and Electric
Make sure that you have cleaned and greased the winches, lubricated the blocks and pad eyes, and checked out the dinghy and/or life raft. The batteries will likely need recharging, so do that, as well as checking the battery water level. Go through all the wiring and check for corrosion, wearing, or chafing, and do the repairs as necessary.
Wisconsin boating law requires you to have the following equipment onboard whenever you operate your boat:
- Personal flotation devices (PDF)
- Sound-producing devices
- Fire extinguisher(s)
- Navigation lights, in working order
- Ventilation system
- Backfire flame arrestor(s)
- Mufflers which meet the noise level limits (in Wisconsin, 86 dBA)
- Visual distress signals (VDS)
Before Heading Out
There are a few things to check before you go out on the water.
- Check the capacity plate to make sure you do not overload your boat.
- Secure everything throughout your boat before driving with it on the trailer.
- Do all the cleaning and preparation away from the boat ramp.
- Remove any plant life from the boat before entering the water.
One thing you should definitely do before heading out for a summer of fun on your boat is to read all the Wisconsin boating laws, which can be found here. Have a fun and safe summer!