Every boat is different, and your engine manual and your mechanic come first. This checklist covers the jobs most owners plan around the season, and what to write down each time so next year starts with a clear picture.
Before launch
- Check the bottom paint, zincs and running gear
- Inspect hoses, clamps and through-hulls
- Charge and test batteries, clean terminals
- Check belts, impellers and fluid levels
- Test bilge pumps, navigation lights and safety gear
- Check registration and insurance dates
During the season
- Change oil and filters at the hours your engine manual gives
- Watch the raw water flow and engine temperature
- Rinse after salt water use, and check the canvas and snaps
- Keep an eye on bilge water and new leaks
At haul-out and winterizing
- Change oil and filters before storage
- Winterize engines, water systems and heads where your climate calls for it
- Stabilize or manage fuel as your mechanic recommends
- Pull or maintain batteries
- Note everything the yard finds on the hull while the boat is out of the water
What to log each time
The checklist gets the work done. The log is what makes it count later: the date, the engine hours, what was done, who did it, and the receipt. Next spring you will know exactly what is due, and when you sell, the buyer will see a boat that was looked after.
BoatRealm keeps those entries for you. Snap the receipt and it fills in the rest, or have your mechanic log the job by scanning your boat’s QR code.