With brighter mornings, longer evenings and sunnier days coming our way, now is the perfect time to get your boat ready for spring and summer.
There are plenty of jobs boat owners need to be doing all year round. With winter behind us, here are five of the key ones you should be considering ahead of spring.
1. Clear out your weed hatch
The weed hatch can fill up with floating debris such as fallen leaves and twigs, so after a long autumn and winter, it’s worth checking that there’s nothing clogging it up. This is one of the most common causes of sinking, and easily avoidable. Just remember that the propeller is sharp, so take care when doing so.
Whilst you're in clean-out mode, you should also pump out any rainwater, and clear cockpit drains and bilge pump suctions of leaves.
2. Check the boat batteries
If you’re a leisure cruiser and your boat has been moored for some time, it might be worth checking the batteries aren’t flat before your first trip out. You should also make sure the electrolyte level is correct and battery terminals are free from corrosion.
3. Freshen up the outside
Just like land dwellings and vehicles, boats are likely to suffer an external build-up of dirt, grime and even rust from the winter months.
Hose the boat down with clean fresh water to remove as much as possible, and treat your vessel to an eco-friendly boat shampoo. This can be applied with a sponge or very soft brush. Finish the job with a boat polish to give it a protective shine.
If you come across any orange and black rust, you can use a grit grinder to get rid. If there are stubborn areas of black rust that won’t shift, you can use a special rust treatment. A body filler is then needed to fill in the grinding marks, followed by a sand-down and repaint. Your local chandlery will be able to help you with what you need.
Once it's looking shiny and new, a few potted plants could add a vibrant finishing touch.
4. Give your boat an external makeover
Go one step further than a freshen-up! Coach enamel paint is best for narrowboat exteriors as it’s hard wearing (and comes in a great range of colours). Local chandleries will be able to advise you on anything to do with painting.
5. Spruce up inside
Now’s the perfect time of year to give the inside of your boat a good old-fashioned dust and polish. Don’t forget to give the windows a good wash too, so you can make the most of the bright spring days.
It might also be worth having a declutter of all your cupboards, shelves and storage spaces - it’s called a ‘spring clean’, after all.
