Pre Season Check List

For those of us that do not get the opportunity to fish about year around, because we have other commitments, weather or what ever, before you drag the boat, motor & trailer out for the first trip of the year, or any trip later, it may be a good idea to go thru a check-list.  Even a mini check-list before every trip might be a good idea.  Listed below is a suggested starting list, which you can add to.

                            Boat Trailer:

                            Check trailer wheel bearings
                            Check the lug nuts for tightness
                            Check trailer lights
                            Check hitch latch
                            Winch cable
                            Winch gear latched
                            Grease tongue jack stand
                            Boat tie downs
                            Brakes (if applicable)
                            Break away brake cable for brakes
                            Safety chains to towing vehicle
                            Safety chain to boat bow eye
                            Check, bunks or rollers
                            Lock the trailer hitch (get in a habit of padlocking it)

        Boat:

                   Drain plug
                            PFD (life vests)
                            Raise motor & latch up for towing
                            Check for frozen steering
                            Check fuel quantity, & oil ratio
                            Check electrolyte & recharge batteries
                            Bilge Pump
                            Lubricate the convertible top snaps if they have been exposed to salt water
                            Check windshield wiper blades
                            Check radio antennas
                            Check GPS antennas
                            Is compass correct?
                            Did you replace the anchor & rope after you tethered the horse?
                            Convertible top tied down if used during towing
                            Check horn
                            Mooring lines
                            Bumpers
                            Are your emergency flares current?

        Motor :
                   Run motors with muffs the night before a outing
                            Spare spark plugs
                            Check lower unit oil
                            Spare ignition key
                            Spare prop
                            Remove prop & lube shaft splines
                            Prop removal tools
                            Check fuel line pump bulbs
                            Trolling motor connector rod
                            Spare emergency starter rope

       Towing Vehicle :
                   Check air in tires & spare
                            Check engine oil
                            Check coolant
                            Fuel tank full?
                            Trailer light connector wired OK
                            Spare key hid outside cab

Miscl :

•                   Spare batteries for hand held GPS
                    Bait box
                    Tackle box
                    Rods
                    Landing net
                    Ice box
                    Rain gear
                    Polaroid Sunglasses
                    Fishing hat
                    Drinking water
                    Lunch box
                    Fishing license
                    Medication
                    Seasick pills
                   Charts
                   Pliers/hook-out
                   Tool box
                   Life jackets
                   Throwable cushion
                   Fire extinguisher
                   Paddle
                   Current copy of fishing regs.
                   Fish bonker
                   Camera
                   Boat hook
                   Fish box
                   Spare drain plug

                           Downrigger tool box

Other things to consider:

Before you drive off, check to see if you remembered to latch the trailer coupler latch.  Get in the habit of padlocking it, this is a reminder to actually lock it down.  This accomplishes two things, (1) it reminds you to latch it & (2) may keep someone from borrowing the trailer.

Padlocking the latch

When towing your boat, stop occasionally & put your hand on the wheel hubs, they may be slightly warm, but if one is warmer than the others, there could be a problem.  Either the bearings are bad, need grease, or the brake shoes are dragging the drum if it has brakes.  Do the same with tires, if they are getting hot, you do not have enough air in them.

Kick the trailer frame in different locations.  If something may be loose, you may just stumble onto it before the trailer falls apart on the road.

Also after you pull the boat out of the water & head home, drive a few miles & stop & pump saltwater resistant grease into the hubs if they are the grease lubricated type. This time interval will allow the hub to warm up & accept grease better, allowing any water to be pushed out more readily.

Carry a spare trailer hub with bearings & seal.  When doing wheel bearing maintenance, do not replace the double lip seal marine seal with a single lip one that the automotive people have.  They may not have any cross-reference to the marine double lip type. Go to a boat shop & the price of $3.50 each is cheap compared to the price of replacing a complete hub, brakes, & possibly a spindle if you don’t catch the bad bearing in time.

 

Copyright © 2002 - 2010 LeeRoy Wisner  All Rights Reserved
  Back to Ramblings

Originated 05-03-2002 Last updated 08-08-2010
to contact the author click here