1. Battery and charging
Load-test batteries, clean terminals, check the charger, and confirm the engine cranks cleanly. If accessories drop voltage quickly, inspect the battery bank before launch day.
Before the first real run of the season, give the boat a structured check. Most early-season breakdowns come from the same small group of problems: weak batteries, stale fuel, cooling restrictions, bilge pump failures, loose belts, and issues that would have shown up during spring commissioning.
2. Bilge pump and float switch
Cycle the bilge pump manually and with the float switch. Check wiring, hose routing, and discharge flow. A pump that hums but does not move water needs attention.
3. Cooling system flow
Check impeller age, water flow, hoses, clamps, strainers, and overheating history. Poor cooling at launch can turn a quick shake-down into a tow-in.
4. Fuel system condition
Look for stale fuel, cracked lines, water contamination, filter condition, and hard-start symptoms. Fuel problems are common after storage.
5. Controls, steering, and safety basics
Confirm throttle, shift, steering, navigation lights, horn, drain plug, safety gear, and dock lines before leaving the slip.
When to book service: If the boat sat all winter, has weak batteries, poor start-up, fuel smell, alarms, cooling concerns, or bilge issues, book spring commissioning or diagnostics before launch.