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boatingonthehudson.com
As soon as the boat is safely out of the water and correctly
blocked clean the hull inside and out. It’s much easier to
get the slime off while it is still wet before it gets hard like
concrete. Be sure your drain plugs are removed. Make sure
there are an adequate number of stands that are properly
placed and enough blocking along the keel to carry the
load. The bow should be slightly higher than the stern so
that water will run toward the drain holes. If any water
should find it way into the boat during storage it will
run out. Sounds elementary but you’d be surprised at
how many boats I have seen with the bow down. Make
every effort to prevent moisture as best as you can;
it combined with heat is the perfect environment for
mold, mildew and growing mushrooms.
If you trailer your boat, be sure your trailer is in good
condition. Check the bunks for torn and rotted carpet.
Any bolts protruding? Are the bunks and guide posts
solid and secure? Make sure everything is in good
operating condition including rollers, winch, tires,
wheel bearings, brakes, etc. A defective winch or rotted
winch line can leave your boat laying on its side on a
boat launch or worse could cause personally injury.
Clean. Restore. Protect.
Cleaning the growth and slimy scum off your hull; it’s
an end of season ritual. Acid wash products such as “On-
Off ” work great to clean off all the ugly brown stains
but the solution will also remove all the protecting
sealer glaze and wax exposing the gelcoat to anything
Here’s a brief check list for a
travel lift haul-out -
• What is the capacity of the lift?
• What is the overall condition of the lift and straps?
• Are there anti-chafe pads on the straps?
• How have haul-outs gone in the past?
• Has the yard ever dropped a boat?
• Be sure your boat is lifted at the proper lifting points
(lift points are usually marked on the boat).
• What kind of recourse do you have if your boat is damaged?
Shrink wrapped
for Winter.