Before launching a boat for the first time each season, please complete the following checklist to reduce your chances of an unpleasant boating experience. We also recommend an annual review of your Owner’s Manual.

• • Check your safety equipment. Look at the required equipment in the Safe Boating Guide and make sure you have all the equipment needed.
  • Inspect your life jackets. In addition to making sure you have a properly sized wearable life jacket for each passenger, check each life jacket for mildew, rot and tears in the material, seams and straps. Discard and replace any damaged life jackets.
  • Check fire extinguishers. Make sure the fire extinguishers are properly charged or buy new ones.
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and gasoline fume detector.
  • Check the pleasure craft licence. Check that the numbers on your bow are in good condition, legible and renewed.
  • Make sure you have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. A Restricted Operator Certificate is require if you operator a VHF radio. Order replacements here.
  • Check the first-aid kit. Replace any supplies that were used last season or have passed the expiration date.
  • Review your boat insurance policy and update coverage if needed.
  • Check the boat trailer. Inspect trailer tires for wear and inflate properly.
  • Check the trailer frame for rust spots; inspect the wheel bearings and re-pack if necessary. Test the trailer’s lights before towing.
  • Open hatches to ventilate boat throughout. Check passive ventilation that allows air to flow through below decks.
  • Check the fuel system. Inspect fuel fittings and hoses; replace if cracked or showing other signs of stress. Probably good to replace the fuel filters as well.
  • Check for winter damage. Inspect non-metallic thru-hulls; they get brittle with age and winter ice can crack or loosen them. Look for hoses that have been forced off or split from freezing.
  • Check for hull abrasions, scratches, gouges, etc. and repair.
  • Check fittings. Thru-hull fittings below the waterline should be tight; sea valves should operate freely. Make sure the boat plug is plugged in and in good condition before you launch.
  • Check, test and lubricate seacocks.
  • Check shaft, cutlass bearing, strut and prop
  • Check the oil. Creamy brown or gray engine or drive oil has water in it and a mechanic should find the source of the leak before you
    start the engine.
  • Inspect cooling hoses and fittings for stiffness, rot, leaks and/or cracking.
  • Check your batteries and ensure they are fully charged and that the electrolyte level is adequate.
  • Check exhaust fan or bilge blower removes dangerous vapours.
  • Check the bilge, and pump out if necessary. Check for oil.
  • Check fluid levels of the transmission, coolant and power trim.
  • Pump antifreeze from water tank; flush several times with fresh water. Check system and pump for leaks and operation. Fill tank.
  • Check electronic gear. Get fresh batteries for portable electronic gear, radios, hand-held GPS and flashlights. Inspect connections on lights and the horn and other equipment wired in to the boat.
  • Inspect dock and anchor lines for chafing. Replace lines if they show signs of wear.
  • Examine sailboat rigging: Check for signs of corrosion and wear and for leaks where chain plate mountings come through the deck. Inspect stays for fraying and “fish hooks”
  • Check mast and spreaders for corrosion or damage, forestay and backstay connections. Check masthead fitting and pulleys. Check and lubricate roller furling.
  • Check halyards and consider replacing or swapping end for end.
  • Tape turnbuckles, cotter pins, and spreaders.
  • Hook up and check marine radio, GPS receiver and antenna.
  • Check charts: Do you have a current chart aboard? Channel markers and buoys may be out of position due to ice movements so take extra care.
  • Check engine spares—oil filter, fuel filter, impeller, belt, fuel pump, etc. Replace as necessary.