Boat insurers field multiple spring claims resulting from winterizing mistakes and/or an incomplete spring commissioning. If you want to get going early in the season without mishaps and claims, avoid the listed errors.
- Moisture
Aged underwater hoses and fittings are the single most common cause of sinkings. The biggest culprits? Corroded fittings, old hoses, rusty hose clamps*, leaking stuffing boxes, and split bellows. Replace any showing signs of age, such as rot, stiffness, bulges, leaks and/or cracking.
*Clamps tend to corrode on the bottom, where it may be hard to see.
Check hoses fit snugly and, where possible, are double-clamped. Inspect thru-hulls for corrosion or cracking, and make sure seacocks operate easily so you can close them in an emergency. Intake strainers that weren’t properly drained in the fall may crack or split over the winter. Damage may also result from strainers that weren’t closed completely as well as hoses that weren’t re-secured.
Stuffing boxes should never leak at rest and only leak a drop or two per minute while underway. If you can’t stop the leaking by tightening the nut, you should repack the gland. Be careful — over-tightening the nut may prevent leaking underway, but can burn out the packing material.
Sterndrive bellows have to remain watertight while withstanding flexing and bending, exposure to water and marine growth, and extremes of temperature. By tilting and turning the sterndrive, inspect the bellows and replace if you see any sign of wear (replace the entire set if you notice any signs of wear on one bellows, as it is likely all of them are worn).
After checking all your underwater fittings before launching, check again after the boat is in the water.
- Engine/Outdrive Damage
Saltwater boats have a shorter manifold life when compared to their freshwater counterparts. Many boat owners replace impellers annually, as a damaged impeller can cause severe overheating and damage if not caught quickly. Leaking oil or other fluids can quickly ruin an engine or sterndrive. Before moving your outboard or sterndrive boat from its winter berth, check underneath the lower unit for spots of oil. If you see any, fix out the cause.
- Fire or Explosion
Fuel lines, including fill and vent hoses, have the potential to leak flammable gas and fumes and cause an explosion or fire. Carefully check them for indications of softness, brittleness, or cracking and replace with U.S. Coast Guard-approved hose. Check joints for leaks (use your finger and look for stains under or around the fitting), and make sure all lines are well supported with snug, non-combustible clips or straps without rough edges. Inspect all fuel-system components for leaks.
Faults in the DC (battery) circuit of the electrical system are the cause of many boat fires. Inspect, clean, and tighten electrical connections, especially both ends of battery cables. Check that the studs, nuts, and washers are made of copper, not aluminum or steel, to avoid galvanic corrosion on terminals. Wire brush battery terminals and fill cells with distilled water. If you’ve upgraded the vessel with additional lights, audio systems, and other electronics, ensure the electrical wiring and panels meet the new requirements to avoid overheating circuits.
Most AC electrical fires occur in the shore power system. The shore power inlet, typically located where the boat’s wiring is connected, is especially prone to water intrusion, along with the cord itself. The connections, often surrounded by easily ignited material, are subject to vibration and corrosion, so replace at the slightest sign of deterioration. Plugging and unplugging shore power connectors create tiny pits on surface connections. Once you launch your boat and it starts drawing current, feel your shore power cord and inlet. If they feel hot, address this immediate fire hazard.
- Trailer Breakdown
Failed tires are the primary cause of trailering traffic accident claims. Use a gauge to check tire pressure. Inspect tire treads and sidewalls — replace any with cracks on sidewalls or lack of tread. Don’t forget the spare tire. Trapped water inside a trailer’s axle tube causes rust and leads to catastrophic failure. Also check for bending or twisting, nonfunctioning lights, cracked welds, missing hardware, failed bearings, and corrosion.
- Sailboat Rigging
Rigging failures can be catastrophic and cause injuries. Re-tighten the turnbuckles that became loose when the boat was hauled. Check for corrosion, especially around the chain plates, turnbuckles, and swaged fittings. Put on a rugged pair of gloves and run your hand down the shrouds and stays. If the glove catches on broken strands, replace the standing rigging.
Tips based on an article from BoatUS
