Here at Yes Centers, your local marine experts in Kemah, TX, we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist to ensure your vessel is shipshape and ready for adventure.

1. Tools: Are You “All Kitted Out”?

• Inventory Your Kit: Before you start, take a moment to account for all your onboard tools. Have any screwdrivers mysteriously vanished? Is your adjustable wrench where it should be?
• Essential Selection: Even if you carry a minimal kit, ensure you have the basics: screwdrivers (various types), pliers, wrenches, a multi-tool, duct tape, electrical tape, hose clamps, and a flashlight or headlamp. Nothing is more frustrating than needing a specific tool and having to improvise with a dinner knife!

2. Through-Hulls: Clear Pathways are Critical

• Open and Close Seacocks: While your boat is “on the hard” (out of the water), cycle all seacocks (valves on through-hulls) open and closed a few times. This ensures they operate smoothly and aren’t seized.
• Inspect from the Outside: Grab a flashlight and shine it up into each through-hull fitting from the exterior of the hull. Look for barnacles, marine growth, or other debris that could restrict water flow – a common culprit for engine overheating. Don’t forget external strainers, which are also prone to clogging.

3. Fire Extinguishers: Your First Line of Defense

• Check Expiration and Charge: A common failing found by marine surveyors is expired or discharged fire extinguishers. This spring, pull out every extinguisher on board.
• Inspect and Replace/Recharge: Check the pressure gauges to ensure they are in the “green” zone. Look for any signs of damage or corrosion. Replace or recharge any that are expired, discharged, or damaged.
• Engine Compartment Extinguisher: Don’t forget the large, often fixed, fire suppression system in your engine compartment. This also requires periodic inspection and recharging by a qualified professional.

4. Spare Parts: Better to Have and Not Need

• Inventory and Replenish: Even for coastal cruising in Kemah, a selection of basic spare parts is a must. Take inventory of items like:
  
  • Filter elements (fuel, oil, water)
  • Fuses (various amperage)
  • Electrical connectors and wire
  • Hose clamps (various sizes)
  • Additives (fuel stabilizer, oil, coolant)
• “Replace as You Use”: We all intend to replace spares as we use them, but it’s easy to forget. Make this a dedicated check.

5. Steering Fluid: Don’t Lose Your Way

• Check Reservoir Level: Locate the hydraulic steering fluid reservoir (often on an engine-room bulkhead) and check the fluid level.
• Inspect for Leaks: Low fluid is a clear sign of a leak in your steering system. It’s far better to discover this now and have it addressed by a professional like Yes Centers than to lose steerage when you’re far from the Kemah docks.

6. Hose Clamps: Small Parts, Big Problems

• Inspect for Rust and Looseness: Cheap hose clamps are notorious for rusting, and all clamps can eventually loosen due to thermal expansion and vibration.
• Tighten and Replace: Spend a few minutes with a screwdriver or, even better, a nut driver, to check the tightness of every hose clamp on board. Replace any that show signs of rust or significant wear. Double-clamping critical fuel and exhaust connections is always a good practice.

7. Drive Belts: Power to Your Systems

• Inspect for Wear: Drive belts, being rubber components, can become brittle, stretch, or glaze over time, leading to slippage. This can result in an overheated engine or a dead battery.
• Visual Check: Shine a strong light on each belt. Look for cracks (a sign of aging) and a shiny underside (indicative of slippage).
• Check Tension: A properly tensioned belt should deflect about a half-inch when pressed firmly. Too tight can stress bearings; too loose will slip.

8. Propellers: Smooth Sailing Starts Here

• Check for Damage: You’re likely already checking for nicks and dings on your propeller blades.
• Cotter Keys and Retaining Nuts: While rare, it’s wise to also cast an eye on the cotter keys and retaining nuts that secure your propeller. Ensure they are intact and tight.

9. Sacrificial Anodes (Zincs): Your Corrosion Guardians

• Comprehensive Check: Everyone usually checks their main zincs before launching, but it’s easy to miss one or two, like those on the marine-gear heat exchanger.
• Create an Inventory: Make a detailed inventory of all the sacrificial anodes on your boat and keep it with your important papers. Consider dabbing a bit of brightly colored paint on each anode head once checked, to ensure you don’t miss any in subsequent inspections. Replace anodes when they are about 50% depleted.

10. Insurance: Protecting Your Investment

• Review Your Policy: While not a mechanical check, spring is an excellent time to review your boat insurance policy.
• Coverage and Value: Is your coverage still appropriate for the current value of your boat? If your boat’s value has declined, you might be able to reduce coverage and save money. More often, however, boaters add new equipment or make upgrades that aren’t reflected in their current policy. Ensure all your valuable additions are adequately covered.

Your Trusted Partner for Spring Commissioning in Kemah

Completing this comprehensive spring commissioning checklist will give you peace of mind and ensure a fantastic boating season. For any tasks on this list that require professional expertise, or if you simply prefer to have it done right the first time, don’t hesitate to contact Yes Centers. Our skilled marine service technicians in Kemah, TX, are equipped to handle all your boat’s mechanical, electrical, AC, and other system needs.

Request Service for your Spring Commissioning needs by filling out our service request form: https://yescenters.com/service-request-form/

Happy boating from Yes Centers!