Every spring before we launch the boat, we go through our spring outfitting routine. But during this process, mistakes are common. Some are more common than others—will you be a happy boater this season, or will you start off on the wrong foot? Make sure you don’t make one of these top five spring outfitting mistakes!

When you prepare to launch your boat, avoid these five spring outfitting mistakes!

When you prepare to launch your boat, avoid these five spring outfitting mistakes!



1. DON’T wax a nonskid deck. Yes, trying to keep nonskid fiberglass clean can be quite frustrating. But if you wax it with the same stuff you use on the gel coat, you’ll create an ice skating rink in the cockpit. A good alternative is to use Woody Wax, which doesn’t leave a slick surface behind.
2. DON’T clean Isinglass with Windex. Sure those clear curtains are dirty and musty after winter storage, but don’t use Windex on them – it contains ammonia, which will turn the isinglass yellow. Stick with Pledge or Plexus, instead.
3. DON’T bottom paint the fishfinder’s transducer. This is a sure-fire way to degrade your unit’s performance. There are dedicated transducer anti-fouling paints which you need, made by Pettit and MDR.
4. DON’T fail to open all the seacocks. This can be a disastrous mistake, especially if the one you forget to open feeds the engine raw water for cooling. It can also lead to burned-out washdown or livewell pumps, and heads that won’t flush. As you open them, of course, give each a close visual inspection to be sure it’s not leaking.
5. AND FOR GOSH SAKES DON’T launch without the drain plug(s). Yeah, this is the all-time classic. You know what the results are - ‘nuff said!

- Lenny Rudow

Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.
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