Boat:
- Wash down boat and put a nice coat of wax. I do this monthly during spring and summer.
- Check status of batteries / battery charger works
- Validate that post of batteries are covered on starting battery and trolling motor batteries. If not, could get ticket from DNR or Coast Guard.
- Are batteries affixed to boat? If not could get ticket from DNR or Coast Guard
- Main motor and kicker turn over
- Validate that you have main motor kill tether
- Have transom saver for main motor
- Validate fire extinguisher is charged with needle in green of gauge
- Validate plug in boat
- Validate live-well and bait-well pump works
- Validate that you have all plugs for live-well, bait-well and cooler if you have one
- Validate bilge works
- Validate trolling motor works along with remotes
- Validate trolling motor remote batteries
- Is trolling motor tightly secured to boat? The bolts/screws will loosen over time.
- Validate that all graphs powerup, read bottom and GPS position is acquired
- Do you have needed navigation chips (mapping)
- Validate all gauges on driver console are working.
- If you have a windshield make sure it is tightened to boat and that screws in windshield are not loose
- Validate all boat compartment lift pistons can hold up compartment door. If not, you should be able to order or buy in store. Model should be on side of piston.
- If boat has a keel guard validate that keep is completely glued to boat
- Validate that you have a set of jump cables that could reach from your trolling motor batteries to the starting battery.
- Validate how many life jackets on board and the number of passengers when going out
- Validate you have a throwable on board
- If on federal waters such as Lake Michigan or Lake Winnebago, that you have a flare kit (not expired) and horn or whistle. Good to have this for any waterway
- Tighten all screws on boat which include the following; Pedestal bases, seats, cleats, rails, gauges, rod holders, windshield, graph mounts and graphs, transducers, and screws under console
- First aid kit in boat
- Are navigation light for front and back in boat and work
- Boat bumpers and bow lines
- Have a set of screwdrivers, pliers and crescent wrench and other needed tools on board
- Have electrical and duct tape on board
- Spare rope
- Do you have an anchor on board?
- Is weight distributed throughout boat? Could help with boat lean
- Know the rules of the water such as boat driving at you, no wake buoy and so forth
Trailer:
- When was last time wheel bears were packed with grease / or do it? Drive around and see if bears heat up.
- Check trailer light plug along with vehicle plug in as may be corroded
- All trailer lights work
- Bow strap is in good shape
- Trailer tongue is working properly
- Tires / rims look good and filled properly with air
- Spare tire along with the proper lug nut wrench
- Have jack that can lift up boat to change wheel. Big boats require a heavy duty jack!!
- If bunk trailer are bunks screwed securely?
