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As the weather warms, people are taking advantage of opportunities to be outdoors in the fresh air. If you own a boat that has been kept inside a storage unit for the winter, you are likely thinking about taking her out and reacquainting her with the open water. However, to make sure that she is ready for adventuring, perform the following tasks. 

How to Get Your Boat Out of Hibernation

1. Check Safety Equipment

For convenience, many people store their safety equipment alongside their boat. If you haven’t used it in months, go through your safety checklist and inventory your preservers, life jackets, flares, and fire extinguishers—to confirm that the expiration dates haven’t passed and to look for signs of wear. Then, test each piece of equipment to make sure it still works. Remember to update waterway guides and charts, too.

2. Complete an Inspection

Check fuel lines and hoses for rot, brittleness, and cracking, and make sure joints, fuel pumps, and fuel tanks aren’t leaking. Examine the propeller for dings and dents, and the hull for stress fractures or blisters. Change the oil and power steering fluid to make sure they are clean and topped to an appropriate level; grease up all moving parts. Finally, check all the lights are working and make sure you have spare bulbs on board.

3. Clean Thoroughly

storage unitA gleaming boat cuts an impressive figure on the water. But cleaning is an excellent maintenance activity too. It keeps dust and dirt from getting into electronics and filters while preventing moving parts from becoming stuck altogether. It’s also much easier to spot cracks or damage when the surface is free from dust or grime. Give it a once over with a powerwasher, wipe over the interior surfaces, and vacuum the inside.

 

For those in need of a storage unit for their watercraft or other personal items, turn to East “O” Street Self Storage in Lincoln, NE. Their indoor and outdoor units range from a few square feet to large enough to store your boat or trailer. They also provide gas-heated units for temperature-sensitive items. With 24/7 security cameras, individual alarms for each unit, computer-controlled access, and friendly staff on-call whenever you need them, you can rest assured your belongings are safe. Visit their website to learn more about their offerings. Call (402) 489-0134 today to ask about available storage units.

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