Reccomendations for the new guy

[Jeff Lavallee]

I thought I would bother the group for a non model specifac list of what to do with your first boat before the first season.
change oil, transmission fluid, new batteries ( if needed) Something generic that may point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance
Jeff
Newbury, Ma

[jcollins]

Springization...ah...looking forward to it. My list is short.

On land: clean / wax. Charge batteries. Clean cabin and arrange.
If a hose is available I'll clean the bilge and start the engine.
Spray some WD40 in the through-hulls and open them up.
Check other through-hull clamps, etc.

After launch

Drain "pink stuff" from fresh water system. Fill and drain fresh water 3X.
Check all hoses and clamps.
Check all fluids.
Clean all glass and polish radar arch.

Go for a ride!

Come back, admire the Albin and drink a beer or two to celebrate the beginning of another boating season.

[Mariner]

Here in Washington, where the boat stays in the water year-round, our preparation list in the spring is a little shorter.

First thing is, if it's due, I change the oil. Often, if I delay, I will get busy in the summer and forget, so I try to get it out of the way before the weather warms up and I start focusing on using the boat rather than working on it.

Other than that, it's pretty much a matter of tackling any maintenance projects that perhaps were on the agenda over the winter but didn't happen, giving the boat a good cleaning, and then loading it up for summer use. Stock the fridge with beer, stock up the liquor cabinet as necessary, load up a flat or two of bottled water, put the kayaks back on board, wash all the towels and linens... that kind of stuff.

[chiefrcd]

What kind of boat? How old? Last thorough inspection? Was it surveyed?

When I bought my 99 it was almost 5 years old and had all the records for maintenance and service with it.
I still did the following:

Changed the transmission fluid
Changed the oil and oil filter
Changed out all fuel filters
Inspected all belts and hoses
Flushed and changed anti-freeze
Inspected the bilge for oil and salt water
Tested both batteries
Flushed and checked the overboard drains in the hatches

This has become my annual start up process. Add to that changing all the engine zincs each year and every two years I flush out the sea water side with Rydlime.
and of course there is always the annual haul, wash, scrape/sand and paint. Change the bottom zincs and check the through hulls.

[Jeff Lavallee]

Chief RCD,
It is an 1985 Albin 27 AC. I had a pre-purchase survey done before I bought it. This did not include the condition of the fluids etc, so I will change those for sure as well as all filters. I will do a thorough inspection- maybe I will hire a mechanic for the first time around just to be safe? We had a sea trial and there wasn't any smoke or vibration, but the owner did not know the hours.
Thanks for the list!!