Boats are similar to people in that good maintenance can equal long life. If your boat has been winterised or out of the water for the season, there are a few vital things you should do to ensure your pride and joy is ready for the water this summer.

Marine Locker offers a few “break out the boat” basic pointers to help ocean enthusiasts enjoy safe, hassle-free boating all summer long.

“It’s a good idea to get your boat out of storage a little early and start it up,” says John Harrison, a sales representative at Marine Locker.

With the official boating season starting May 24, Mr. Harrison suggests taking it to a dealer to be serviced. Do this early, he adds, as dealers tend to get overwhelmed.

Another pointer: never let your boat go into hibernation during the winter months.

“You need to give your boat constant attention as leaving it for up to four months can lead to problems like mould taking over, tanks getting clogged, equipment rusting and even flooding after a storm,” he warns.

Mr. Harrison recommends taking your boat out for a 25-minute run every two weeks: “The more you use it, the better chance you will have of not running into serious and expensive problems later. The goal is optimum performance and longer life on the water.”

“Recreational boats are a lifestyle investment. A little bit of maintenance and prevention can help boaters get a lifetime of play from their investment,” Mr. Harrison adds.

He points out that it is critical to flush the scupper at every opportunity to prevent clogging, which can lead to flooding, especially after a storm. A scupper is an opening in the hull of the boat that allows water on the deck to drain overboard.

Salt water can be extremely corrosive and Mr. Harrison highlights the importance of checking regularly for rust, as well as using teak oil on any wooden fixtures onboard.

“Teak oil works better than varnish, which tends to be high maintenance. It also means you have to sand and replace the varnish more often,” he says. “Teak oil equals a lot less work as you only need to put some on every two months or so to keep off stains and mildew.”

As for mould, a huge problem for all boat owners during the winter months, Mr. Harrison suggests wiping the infected surface with Lysol disinfectant and a wet rag.

He elaborates: “It will remove the mould as well as prevent it from returning, at least for a while, but airing your boat often is better for preventing mould from setting in the first place.”

Besides servicing the boat’s engine, Mr. Harrison warns that another costly expense will be the painting of the boat bottom and waxing the sides. Another unforeseen expense will be replacing various pieces of equipment, like flares, which he suggests replacing every three years.

This rule applies to ropes too, but Mr. Harrison maintains that if you “stay on top of things” you will always be ready for any eventuality.

“You will need to check all your equipment onboard before heading out on the water. This includes having the right number of life vests on board, flares and other emergency equipment,” he forewarns, adding that Marine Police regularly do checks during the summer.

Mr. Harrison sums it up: “By maintaining your boat throughout the year, you will be assured of a great summer on the water.”