Essential Summer Maintenance and Safety Tips for Aussie Boaters

With the peak summer boating season here in Australia fast approaching, now is the perfect time to prepare your vessel for heading out on the open water with the utmost safety. However, if your boat has been stuck in storage for the better half of the year, you will need to do a little preparatory checks and testing to ensure your vessel is safe to operate.

Thankfully, our marine surveyors at Seaworthy Inspections are here to offer their expert assistance. With extensive experience providing independent boat inspections for recreational boaters across Australia, our fully licensed and qualified marine surveyors have offered their professional insights below regarding all things summer boat maintenance.

Here’s how you can make sure your recreational vessels are ready for the summer boating season.

Everything from your hull to your engine are at risk of malfunctioning without proper servicing and maintenance. If your boat has been in storage for the majority of the year, you will naturally need to schedule an inspection of all the key working components and features of your vessel to ensure a thorough evaluation.

Ideally, your boat inspection and summer maintenance checklist should cover the following inclusions:

Engine & Oil

Engine oil laboratory testing can help determine the viscosity, contamination levels, and general condition of oil. This enables marine surveyors to analyse the ability for engine oil to lubricate and protect delicate engine components.

Both visually inspecting engine components for signs of damage or excess wear and tear alongside conducting oil analyses can help identify potential engine problems before they escalate.

Electrical Systems

Following periods of inactivity, the condition of batteries, fuses/wiring, bilge pumps, navigation and anchor lights, and other gauges and switches will all need to be checked. Electrical testing across all individual components as well as visual inspections of fuses, bulbs, etc. can help ensure your vessel’s full electrical system is in good working order.

Hull & Propeller

Hull inspections should involve a visual inspection for signs of damage (i.e. cracks, dents, etc.) and biofouling like barnacles or algae, as well as a thorough inspection of the vessel’s propeller and rudder.

If antifouling paint and other protective coatings need to be reapplied, a visual inspection of the hull can also confirm this promptly and support vessel owners in applying fresh coats as needed.

Trailer

If your vessel is trailered, you will also need to inspect your trailer rollers, winch cable and hook, safety chains, and other mechanical components like brakes for signs of damage or excess wear and tear in anticipation of the summer boating season.

Note: trailer inclusions are an optional add-on for our boat inspections here at Seaworthy Inspections, so be sure to request trailer inspection services with our team when booking your appointment.

Safety Features & Equipment

All life jackets, anchors, oars/paddles/bails, flares, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and UHF devices and distress beacons onboard should be inspected in anticipation of the summer boating season.

Alongside ticking off all the safety checks we’ve outlined in the list above, boat owners must also consider how they can protect their vessel from exposure to the harshest climatic elements over summer. With summer days generally accompanied by intense UV indexes, for instance, UV-resistant paints and shadings are essential for keeping your boat safe from the intense heat, and ensuring the safety and comfort of your fellow travellers on deck.

Here are just some of the key measures boat owners in Australia can take to make sure their vessel is ready to tackle the season’s harshest elements:

• Invest in UV-protective covers and canopies to reduce risks of fading and damage
• Apply UV-resistant coatings and wax to maintain a protective, hydrophobic barrier against saltwater
• Clean vents and use moisture absorbers to support good air circulation and prevent mould growth
• Use shaded parking (i.e. boatsheds or marina covers) to reduce sun exposure during storage periods

Alongside heat and UV protection, boat owners are also advised to invest in storm and wind preparation to reduce risks of damage caused by summer storms. Similarly, evaluating and/or renewing your marine insurance can also help safeguard your vessel from sources of damage over the summer months.

Note: If you’re looking to secure or renew your marine insurance, be sure to prepare an insurance condition report with support from our marine surveyors.

What issues will your vessel be most at-risk for if you neglect maintenance requirements this summer? Whilst every vessel is different, our marine surveyors have compiled a list of the most common types of operational and structural issues identified during boat inspections in the lead-up to summer.

Here are the issues our marine surveyors identify most frequently when conducting summer boat inspections:

• Signs of damage and/or corrosion of the hull, rudders, and propellers
• Deterioration of protective coatings to hull and across the body of the vessel
• Biofouling (i.e. barnacles and algae) of hull and other underwater sections
• Faulty electrical components (i.e. batteries, lighting, bilge pumps, etc.)
• Faulty trailer rollers and other trailer components
• Faulty or non-compliant safety equipment

Our marine surveyors at Seaworthy Inspections, offer boat safety inspections across Australia, with services available in the following regions:

New South Wales

• Sydney
• South Coast
• Newcastle
• Port Stephens
• Coffs Harbour
• Port Macquarie

Queensland

• Gold Coast
• Brisbane
• Sunshine Coast
• Mackay
• Townsville

Tasmania

• Hobart & Surrounds

Victoria

• Melbourne
• Gippsland Lakes Region
• Warrigul Region

Western Australia

• Perth
• Fremantle
• Mandurah

Note: If you don’t see your area in the list above but still require a professional boat inspection prior to summer, then please give us a call. Our mobile services ensure we can offer inspections even across areas surrounding the regions outlined on the above list.

With an intensive approach to marine inspections that includes all safety features and structural, electrical, and mechanical components of your vessel, our work at Seaworthy not only keeps you safe, but also extends the lifespan and boosts the value of your hobby vessels.

If you require expert assistance with testing, inspections, and maintenance for your vessel before summer boating or even in the lead-up to your insurance renewal period, don’t hesitate to book your inspection with our marine surveyors at Seaworthy today.

Check out our detailed pricing list, or simply get in touch for more information or to speak directly with a member of our team today.