Spring and summer are just one long fun season for boat owners. But, before you get your boat on the water, take safety precautions first.

From the propeller, engine, and trailer, a little prep work will help you start the season right. You’ll enjoy the boating season like you’re meant to:

Boat De-Winterization Checklist

Look at your safety gear. Do you have enough life jackets? Are the ones you have in good shape? Do your navigation lights work? How are your fire extinguishers?

 Wash Winter Away

Early spring is an excellent time to wash, wax, and detail your boat. But, don’t use products you use to clean your home. They damage canvassing and vinyl. Use marine safe cleaners, waxes, and washers.

After gathering the cleaning supplies, remove everything from the boat. Vacuum and wipe down the engine and storage areas. Pay special attention to those hard-to-get nooks and crannies.

Other components to check include:

• Fuel system
• Belts
• Cables
• Hoses
• Fluid levels
• Battery
• Electrical system
• Propellers
• Cracks and blisters anywhere
• Trailer hubs
• Trailer lights
• Steering and throttle controls

Optimal Compliance

Give your safety a boost and tell a loved one your float plan. Where you’re going and when you’re coming back. If you don’t have these already, get the following items in case disaster strikes:

• Emergency radio beacon
• Boating insurance
• All relevant permits and licenses
• Carbon monoxide detector (if applicable)
• First aid kit
• Spare parts and tools
• Official nautical charts

 

Tiny Details

Inconveniences on your boating trip can make or break the experience. A common downer is an unexpected storm. Don’t let this defeat you. Make sure you check the weather forecast to ensure smooth sailing. Always make sure you have:

• Extra blankets and towels
• Sunscreen
• Extra pair of shades
• An inflatable ball
• Snorkels
• Water guns
• Bottle opener

When the temperature turns up, you want to be ready for the boating season. Getting a jump on the suggestions above will make sure you optimize your time.

Minimize your list and keep your boat safe at Party Barn Boat and RV Storage. We’ll treat your baby like it’s our own. Contact us today!

Spring is almost here! If you love adventure as much as we do, then this can only mean one thing to you: It’s time to get your RV in shape. You’re probably experiencing the excitement of knowing you can hit the road for springtime travel with your RV again. It’s, however, time for some spring maintenance before you can enjoy that amazing vacation.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting your RV ready for spring.  But first…

Why Should You De-winterize Your RV? 

To get it ready for springtime travel!

Before you put your RV in storage, you probably added chemicals such as antifreeze to prevent the freshwater from freezing and damaging the lines, pipes, and tanks. Now that the temperatures are rising, your RV plumbing no longer needs them.

De-winterizing also involves conducting a series of inspections and checks on the interior and exterior systems to ensure they’re okay.

Can I De-winterize My RV at Home? 

Yes.

You should note that even though de-winterizing your RV may seem easy, it’s important that you take your camper to a professional RV technician. There are, however, some steps you can take to expedite the process:

• Check for roof damage: If you stored your RV under a solid roof or rented enclosed storage and then covered it, there’s a high chance it doesn’t have roof damage. We, however, recommend that you conduct a roof inspection to check for rust, cracks, or small leaks.
• Inspect all appliances: Ensure all appliances including the microwave, awning, grill & stove are working as they should.
• Check the tire pressure: Your RV will have lost about 3 psi every month so it’s important that you inflate them. Make sure you also check for leaks or cracks on the main and spare tires.
• Check the RV batteries: Ensure the batteries aren’t cracked or corroded. You should also check the fluid levels and replace the battery if it’s damaged.

Most importantly, clean up your RV to get rid of the dust and dirt and conduct a visual inspection to check for additional issues such as mold growth. Note down every problem you encounter for the technicians to fix.

Contact Party Barn Boat & RV Storage Today!

The RV de-winterization process is complex. You can, however, make the process easy by ensuring your RV is properly stored when not in use. Let us help you keep your RV safe. Contact us today for the best RV storage solutions!