You’ve finally got the time to take your boat out on a long trip. You’ve planned it, saved for it, and even made sure everything’s ready to go in advance. But before you set sail for an extended voyage, there are some things you need to do first.
Pre-trip inspections
You’ve got a long haul ahead of you, and there’s nothing worse than realizing something is wrong with your boat at sea. To be safe, take the time to perform a full inspection before departing.
- Check everything from the engine to the batteries and bilge pumps.
- Make sure all of your systems are up-to-date and functioning properly: fuel lines, oil levels, water pressure (for toilets), battery condition, prop shaft alignment, and so on.
- Finding a boat towing.
Repair and maintenance
Now that the boat is in good shape, it’s time to make sure all of your systems are working.
- Check the engine. Make sure there’s enough oil and fuel, especially if you’re going out on a long trip. You also want to make sure there aren’t any leaks or other problems with the engine—if something goes wrong, you’ll have no idea until you’re too far from shore for help to reach you in time.
- Check the fuel system. Make sure that all hoses are tight and secure and that there aren’t any clogs or debris blocking anything from reaching the carburetor or fuel filter. If anything looks wrong here, fix it before taking off! You don’t want an expensive repair bill waiting for when you get back home again!
- Check batteries and other electronics regularly as well; this includes checking them every few days while on longer trips (and preferably more often than that). It’s very important to keep these items working properly so your boat runs smoothly without interruption during long journeys across open water where nothing but silence surrounds what matters most: family time together while cruising around just enjoying life with no distractions except maybe some sunshine coming through clouds above us at times 🙂 And look at how lucky we are today–it looks like clear skies ahead all day long 🙂
Long-term storage
Store your boat in a dry place. If you can’t keep it inside, make sure it’s stored on a trailer and covered with a tarp. If possible, store it in the shade or under an overhang to protect it from the elements (sun, wind, rain).
If you have a gasoline engine:
Check the fuel and oil levels each time before using the boat again after long-term storage.
Make sure all bilge pumps are working properly before storing a boat for an extended period.
If you have an outboard motor: It should be removed from its mounting bracket and stored separately for maximum safety when transporting or parking your vessel outdoors for extended periods during off-season storage of boats at marinas where space is limited because they’re full up with other mid-summer renters who will want those same spaces back once September rolls around again next year due to budget cuts enacted by our state legislature making them more affordable than ever before!
Make sure you’re boat is in good shape before you leave.
- Before you leave, take some time to make sure your boat is in good working order.
- Make sure you have all the tools and materials necessary for any repairs that may come up during your trip.
- Check your fuel levels, food supplies, and water supply—and if there are any health or safety issues on board.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you prepare your boat for a long trip. It’s important to remember that every boat is different, so we can’t cover every possible situation here. For example, while some boats are designed specifically for long-distance cruising and may need more maintenance than others, there will always be some surprises along the way—especially if you have a family onboard or need access to certain supplies while traveling. The most important thing is to make sure that your boat is in good shape before leaving port so that you don’t run into any trouble along the way.
