Summer Boating Checklist

Preparing Your Boat for the Season: Detailed De-Winterisation Checklist

As the winter chill makes way for warmer days in New Zealand, it's time to ready your boat or yacht for the upcoming season. So whether you are planning a trip around the Bay of Islands or exploring the Sounds it’s important to prepare your boat after winter and run through your boating checklist.

At Coastguard Education, we recognise the importance of good preparation to ensure a safe and an enjoyable time on the water. So, before you hit the water, conduct a thorough de-winterisation process to guarantee both your vessel's seaworthiness and your peace of mind.

Checklist:

1. Hull Inspection:

- Check for Damage: Thoroughly inspect the hull for any signs of damage, cracks, or blistering that may have occurred during the winter months.

- Anti-foul, Clean and Polish: Remove any marine growth or barnacles, clean the hull, and apply a fresh coat of wax to protect against corrosion and fouling. If your boat lives in the water then remember that anti-foul often needs reapplying every 2 years! 

- Seacocks and Fittings: As part of your hull inspection remember to take a serious look at your seacocks and any hull fittings making sure there are no leaks, they are free of corrosion, and still have good movement.

2. Engine Check:

- Oil & Filter Change: Ensure the engine oil is changed and topped up to the recommended level and it’s a good idea to change the oil filter at the same time. 

- Fuel System Inspection: Inspect the fuel lines, filters, and tanks for any leaks or blockages. If your fuel is old then think about replacing it or topping it up with some fresh fuel. 

- Start-Up Test: Start the engine and check for unusual noises, vibrations, or leaks. Check that there is a clear telltale coming off/out of the engine and that it is cooling properly. If there is an inline water filter ensure that this is free from debris.

- Battery Examination: Test the battery charge and connections. If any corrosion ensure you clean the terminals to prevent any power issues while at sea.

3. Safety Equipment Evaluation:

- Life Jackets: Inspect all life jackets for wear and tear, ensuring they are in good condition and fit properly.

- Inflatable Life Jackets: Check the inflation mechanisms and cartridges in inflatable life jackets, replacing any expired cartridges. You can also blow up the lifejackets manually to test their buoyancy by using the mouthpiece.

- First Aid Kit: Review the contents of your first aid kit, restocking any expired items, and ensuring it is adequately equipped for emergencies

- EPIRB: Ensure your EPIRB is registered and in good working order, remember this is a key piece of safety equipment so should be checked regularly and be accessible.

- Grab Bag: Having a grab bag onboard is a vital piece of equipment packed with emergency essentials. You should check the condition of this equipment and make sure it is fit for purpose. You may not think this is essential if you are just day cruising but if you are planning on any coastal cruising or going further afield it is essential. Things that should go in a grab bag include:

• Red rocket/ parachute flares, red pinpoint/ handheld flares and orange smoke flares for daylight use. These need to be checked for expiry dates and outer casing damage/ cracks.
• First aid kit, knife (covered), seasickness tablets, clothing, hand-held VHF, food, signalling mirror, torch (with spare batteries), drinking water, hand-held GPS (with spare batteries), whistle, navigational chart.

4. Electronics Test:

- Navigation Equipment: Verify the functionality of all navigation instruments, including GPS, chartplotter, fishfinder and compass.If you are not entirely sure how to use this equipment why not consider going on a short course. 

- Communication Devices: Test VHF radios, portable handheld VHF radios and distress beacons to confirm they are in working order for effective communication while at sea.

- Ensure you have up to date Apps on your phone such as the Coastguard App, and weather forecast apps such as windy and predictwind.

5. Fuel and Fluid Check:

- Fuel Levels: Check fuel levels and top up as necessary, ensuring you have ample fuel for your planned journeys.

- Fluid Levels: Verify levels of engine coolant, hydraulic fluid, and steering fluid, topping up if needed to prevent system failure