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Spring is finally here, which means better weather and more opportunities to get out on the water sailing and adventuring. If your boat has been unused over winter, it’s time to dust it off and prepare it for the brand-new season. Here are our tips for preparing your boat for spring…
Carry out an Inspection
Carry out a full inspection of your boat, the interior, exterior and sails. Check the electrics, the rig, and every single element of your boat. It can also be a great idea to get someone to help you, as it can be useful to have another pair of eyes in case you miss anything yourself.
Book Any Maintenance Required
If you find any areas of your boat that need maintenance or repair and can’t carry this out yourself, it’s best to get that booked with a professional company as soon as possible. As you can imagine, this is a busy time of year for boat repair companies, so get your boat booked early to save waiting too long and missing the start of the season as a result.
Fully Rig Up
It’s a great idea to fully rig up without actually taking your boat out as part of preparing your boat for spring. This allows you to check everything thoroughly, ensure everything is working as it should, and that you have everything you need. It also allows you to practice your rigging skills if they’ve become rusty over the winter!
Clean The Hull
A full cleaning of the hull is a crucial part of preparing your boat for spring, and once you’ve cleaned it, it’s time to apply a fresh layer of wax. This will protect your hull from the water and elements and maintain the hull’s colour, shine and integrity. It also makes it easier to carry out regular cleaning, as dirt and grime don’t stick as well to a waxed hull.
Oil Your Teak
If you have any teak, now is the perfect time to give it a full clean and oil. Oiling your teak helps to protect it from the elements and any water damage and can prolong the teak’s lifespan, so it’s definitely worth doing.
Clean the Interior
Even if your boat has been covered all winter, it’ll still need a good clean on the inside as well as the outside. Give it a thorough clean to freshen it up for the new season.
Lubricate Any Moving Parts
Moving parts must be properly lubricated to ensure they work as they should and don’t rub or become worn away. The start of the new season is the perfect time to check all your moving parts and apply lubricant to anything that needs it.
Carry out an Inventory
The beginning of the season is a perfect time to carry out an inventory of all the items you have on board your sailboat. Check what spare parts you have, what tools you have and any maintenance items you have, such as wax, sealants etc. If you need any new items, now is the perfect time to stock up and ensure you have everything necessary for the start of the new season.
Check Your First Aid Kit
Safety is the most important thing when sailing, so carry out a full check of your first aid kit, throw out any out-of-date items and replace anything that needs to be replaced.
These are our tips for preparing your boat for spring so you can make the most of the start of the season and beyond. Do you have any tips or recommendations to share?
If you need any new products to get your boat ready for spring, view our online shop here.
