10 Step Checklist How to Store Your Boat After a Day on the Lake
(Because new boaters and even seasoned pros sometimes need a friendly reminder)
1. Pumpout
Pumping out your boat’s holding tank should be done every time you put your boat up after a day on the lake. Learning how to use a pumpout station is important part of boat ownership. VIP Marina provides easy-to-use pump out stations and a friendly staff eager to assist you. The average pump out time for a 15 gallon holding tank is mere minutes.
2. Throw out Food and Drink
Gather up food, drink and garbage then dispose of it immediately. You might be on the water but trust me… the bugs will find it! Likewise, the stench of that half sandwich left in the boat for a few weeks is not easy to get out.
3. Check or Change the Oil
The oil and filter are paramount to your boat. Without maintaining proper levels and viscosity, your engine will ultimately fail. Missed/late oil changes result in viscosity breakdown and premature engine wear. Check your levels before and after every outing and carry a couple extra quarts onboard – just in case.
4. Check Transmission Fluid
Transmissions in boats used for high performance undergo significant torque, stopping and starting. Proactive fluid checks after every outing and fluid change every 250 hours of use is recommended.
5. Check Inline Water Filter
Waterways like lakes and canals can have grassy areas with muck and trash sucked into your inline water filter. It only makes sense to check the filter when you call it quits for the day. This will help keep your engine cool and most are easy to see and clean.
6. Check Propeller
Inspect propellers of outboard and sterndrive boats for nicks, dents and debris. Damaged props can cause vibration, performance reduction and undue stress on the bearings and seals. If you need to remove propeller to pull out debris, be sure to inspect the shaft thoroughly and apply a liberal layer of waterproof grease to prevent corrosion and ‘freeze-up.’
7. Check Impellers
Ideally, impellers should be inspected every 100 hours of runtime. It doesn’t take much effort on most models to remove the lid and look at the blades – and possibly head off potential expensive repairs.
8. Wash/Wax
Washing and waxing your boat after an outing is optional, but you should wipe it down with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water. This removes loose dirt/crud and allows you to find any previously unseen little damages.
9. Phone, Keys and Wallet
It happens every season. Folks meticulously store their boat and walk all the way out to their vehicle only to realize they left their keys, phone and wallet in the boat and under the cover. Do yourself a favor – put them on your person before you cover the boat.
10. Cover
Covering your boat during storage is optional but highly recommended. It not only protects it from the elements, but also serves as a deterrent for unsavory characters.
Original Source: https://viplaketravis.com/boat-storage/storing-your-boat-after-a-day-on-the-lake/