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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
Boat:
Drain plug
Motor :
Towing Vehicle : Miscl :
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)
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?
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
Check air in tires & spare
Check engine oil
Check coolant
Fuel tank full?
Trailer light connector wired OK
Spare key hid outside cab
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 |
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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
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Originated 05-03-2002 Last updated 08-08-2010
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