North Dakota Outdoors - Boat Ready

Just as North Dakota golfers may plan a winter trip or make a few trips to indoor golf ranges, boaters can better enjoy their first open water excursion by preparing their boat before and not while on the first outing of the season.

The dreaded realization of "I should've done this before I went out," defeats the purpose of what should have been a relaxing experience. To help improve the odds that the first trip of the season is more about recreation than troubleshooting, the Boat Owners Association of the United States -- BoatU.S. – provides a safety checklist .

BEFORE YOU LAUNCH
Inspect prop(s) for dings, pitting and distortion. Make sure cotter pins are secure. Grip the prop and try moving the shaft - if it's loose, the cutlass bearing may need to be replaced.

OUTDRIVES and OUTBOARDS
Inspect rubber outdrive bellows for cracked, dried and/or deteriorated spots (look especially in the folds), and replace if suspect.

• Check power steering and power trim oil levels.
   
• Inspect outer jacket of control cables. Cracks or swelling indicate corrosion and mean that the cable must be replaced.

ENGINES and FUEL SYSTEMS

• Inspect fuel lines, including fill and vent hoses, for softness, brittleness or cracking. Check all joints for leaks and make sure all lines are well supported with non-combustible clips or straps with smooth edges.
   
• Inspect fuel tanks, fuel pumps and filters for leaks. Clamps should be snug and free of rust. Clean or replace fuel filters. Owners of gasoline-powered boats with fiberglass fuel tanks should consult a marine professional to inspect for any ethanol related issues.
   
• Inspect cooling hoses for stiffness, rot, leaks and/or cracking. Make sure they fit snugly and are double-clamped.
   
• Every few years, remove and inspect exhaust manifold for corrosion.
   
• Clean and tighten electrical connections, especially both ends of battery cables. Wire-brush battery terminals and fill cells with distilled water (if applicable).
   
• Inspect bilge blower hose for leaks.

TRAILERS

• Inspect tire treads and sidewalls for cracks or lack of tread and replace as necessary. Check air pressure. Don't forget the spare.
   
• Inspect wheel bearings and repack as necessary.
   
• Test tail and back-up lights and winch to make sure they're working properly. Inspect hitch chains.
   
• Inspect trailer frame for rust. Sand and paint to prevent further deterioration.
   
• Inspect brakes and brake fluid reservoir.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Check expiration dates on flares and fire extinguishers.
   
• Inspect dock and anchor lines for chafing.
   
• Make sure your boating license and/or registration is up to date. Don't forget your trailer tags.
   
• Review your boat insurance policy and update coverage if needed.
   
• Make sure you have a properly sized and wearable life jacket in good condition for each passenger, including kids.

In addition, it’s always a good idea to refresh your memory on North Dakota boating regulations and rules of the water. Especially important this year is the requirements for removing all vegetation and water from boats, trailers, etc. before leaving a lake or river. These new rules went into effect last year to help prevent the introduction or spread of aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota.

Current boating regulations are available at most license vendors and on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov.

A long winter already means that boating season is shortened a bit, which underscores the need to prepare early so time spent on the water is filled with smiles of enjoyment and not frowns of frustration.

Leier is a biologist with the Game and Fish Department. He can be reached by email:  dleier@nd.gov