Ticked off! The checklist for the start of the season

As soon as the gray winter skies give way to spring sunshine and the temperatures climb back to T-shirt level, a recurring spectacle takes place in the marinas. You can hear the roar of all kinds of grinding and polishing machines and the unmistakable smell of antifouling fills the air.

I like this time of year. You often meet like-minded people again and the anticipation of the approaching season provides a noticeable boost to the general mood.

Well… at least for most people. Because at this time of year, some people realize that the last winter has left its mark on their boat and a few minor or major repairs are once again putting an unplanned strain on the budget.

Frozen water pipes or boilers, brittle bellows and seized seacocks are sometimes at the top of the list. But that’s just part of the job and experienced skippers take such setbacks in their stride.

You simply have to look on the bright side: everything that is refurbished in the pre-season saves you the hassle of having to use the boat again in the warm summer months for relaxing hours on the water.

After all, we know that long delivery times for spare parts or busy repair stores can quickly have far more unpleasant consequences during the peak season.

Precious vacation time disappears and instead of the relaxation you had hoped for, you end up with a portion of frayed nerves.

To prevent this from happening to you, dear reader, we have drawn up a comprehensive checklist for you, which you can use to prepare your boat optimally for the start of the season.

However, take the time to read the relevant recommendations and instructions in your boat’s operating instructions, especially as there are other type- or equipment-specific features to consider.