8 minute read
Boating Season
A SAFE AND CARE-FREE BOATING SEASON
Steps for getting your boat and dock ready
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Story by MARIE KROLIKOWSKI
You’ve been waiting months for this, counting down the days before it becomes a reality. Today is the day you walk down to your dock, uncover it, turn the key and once again feel the wind in your hair. Today is the day you bring your boat out of hibernation. Although the anticipation is too much to take, there is still much to do before you can officially call it boating season.
TAKE A LOOK AROUND
When you step onto your dock, take a few minutes to inspect the winter impact. Bryan Vance, supervisor of Shoreline Management at Ameren Missouri, noted that a visual inspection after the long winter can save you issues down the road.
“The first thing you want to do is undo everything that prepared the dock for the winter draw down of the Lake,” Vance said. “This includes adjusting the cables to where they should be for the season. Make a visual inspection of your dock, and take note of anything that broke over the winter.”
Vance suggested taking special notice of the electrical system, just to make sure there are no broken conduits, loose wires or damaged fixtures. Look at your flotation to assure there’s no ice damage, and check for damage to the structural frame of your dock that can result from movement. Foundation issues, Vance stated, can be common for docks in shallow water that sit on the ground all winter. Lastly, check the roof to make sure there’s no wind damage to the roofing material.
“Once you’ve done a visual inspection, it’s recommended that you have a professional who services dock electrical wiring conduct an inspection,” he said.
Jon Bussey owner of Catalyst Electric in Linn Creek, also recommends an electrical inspection.
“Homeowners should call an electrician (us) for a free dock inspection to check for wear and tear of their electrical system,” he explained. “An inspection would include checking the GFCI function of the circuitry of the dock, checking for winter damage to
the conduit, lights and other devices, performing a ground loop test to ensure the wiring from the house is in good order, and more.”
Bussey added that owners need to be certain the entire dock is protected, which includes the power from the house to the shore as well as the house panel, and service on the outside of the house as well. These are all connected, he explained, and an issue in one of these parts could cause an issue on the dock as well.
“Talking with neighbors and having the cove checked out by a professional is a good way to stay ahead of potential issues,” he said.
The most common issues, Bussey said, are bad GFCI breakers for the dock, damage to conduit due to Lake levels varying so much from winter to spring, life motors causing breakers to trip, and water getting into light fixtures that were installed incorrectly.
BOATING CHECKLIST
Your boat lift has served its purpose all winter, keeping your investment dry and out of the water. But the harsh winter can take its toll on this valuable purchase.
Megan Baldridge from Econo-Lift Boat Hoist in Camdenton explained most of the tasks related to the lift come prior to winter. Spring maintenance inspections, however, are crucial to a long, productive boating season.
“You do need to check your electric in and around the dock,” Baldridge said. “Always raise your lift when you leave; it’s hard on lifts to leave them down in the water for long periods of time. They make remote controls for lifts and they are extremely helpful in these situations.” Lift owners should call as soon as they sense something is wrong, she said.
It’s now time for the unveiling, and hopefully no surprises are found inside the boat.
Scott Michel operates Pointe Oasis Resort & Marina in Sunrise Beach and offers cleaning and detailing services. He explained that it’s not uncommon to find a raccoon or a bird left a mess in your boat while escaping the winter weather.
“It’s important to give your boat a good look over,” Michel said. “Make sure no creatures got inside. They can leave a tremendous mess. There shouldn’t be any mold issues, but there may be leaves or debris.”
Michel does have spring cleaning tips which you can do on your own, or you hire his services for a completely detailed job.
“Cleaning inside and out is important and protects against the sun and the UV rays,” Michel explained. “I think it’s a mandatory thing at least once a year.”
A complete detailed cleaning includes the removal of water spots and washing and waxing the boat with a hybrid
FORMULA BOATS OF MISSOURI
4810 Formula Dr. • Osage Beach, MO 65065 • 573-302-8000 www.Formu laBo atsMO .com
ceramic product. The inside of the boat is thoroughly cleaned and a protective product is applied to the seats which cleans and protects. In addition, the cover is also cleaned and all work is done at your own dock. Detailing service is available for docks within a 10-mile radius of the business. His recommendation, however, is to wait until the pollen is done falling before putting the time or money into the cleaning. Typically, he said, this would mean one to two weeks before Memorial Day weekend.
SAFETY FIRST
The time has come to finally turn the key and head out on the water, but not so fast. According to Doug Beck, cochair of Lake of the Ozarks Water Safety Council, “spring is the ideal time to give your boat a bow-to-stern go-over and set yourself up for carefree boating all summer long.”
Beck, who is also the president of the Captains Association of Missouri, explained that the major systems that need de-winterizing include engines, plumbing systems, and batteries and electrical systems. The exact process differs depending on the type of engine, the manufacturer and the model. The owner’s manual or the business that winterized your boat can give you specific information on how to de-winterize.
Boats with freshwater systems, he said, have been treated with RV antifreeze in the fall. It’s important to flush the hoses and lines thoroughly with fresh water to ensure all the antifreeze has been washed away. Attention to the battery and electrical systems include making sure the battery is in its place, hooked up properly and fully charged. Beck explained the number-one problem boaters encounter is a low or dead battery. “Even if your batteries stayed aboard, don’t neglect to hook up a charger before you try to head out,” he said.
A “shake-down” cruise, he said, will help discover if any issues have risen over the winter. This initial cruise is the opportunity to become aware of any unexpected surprises that could put a damper on the boating days ahead.
GET READY TO ENTERTAIN
Now that all the spring inspections and cleaning is done, it’s time to just sit and relax. You’ve made your dock your outside living space, and you don’t want to wait until the party to find out if your stereo equipment is going to work. Randy Sparks, president of 21st Century Electronix in Osage Beach, noted that if electrical items were covered and stored properly, there shouldn’t be any issues in the spring. But if you’re looking to improve what you already have, you better start now.
“People don’t put the right equipment outdoors and as a result it doesn’t last,” Sparks said. “Everything we install is outdoor rated.”
First and foremost, high-speed internet and WiFi is the basis for any dock. Outdoor rated equipment, he said, can be hot-wired or done wireless. From there, the list of possibilities include quality sound systems, televisions, security cameras and more. Remote controls, he added, can even make it possible to operate your dock lighting from your house.
Another thing you’ll want to take care of so that you are comfortable hanging out on your dock is pest control. Apparently, the spiders invading your dock didn’t get the message. While there are
several home-made methods out there that claim to keep the pests away, Bert and Lisa Westbrook have some proven methods. As owners of AB Pest Control & Insulation Services in Lake Ozark, they’ve seen their share of concerns.
A pesticide service is highly regulated on where and what can be treated. “We don’t typically treat personal items with a pesticide that can come in contact with people. For instance, furniture, inside of dock lockers, life jackets, and so on,” they explained.
Keeping lights off when not in use will help keep the spider population down, as lights attract the midges that spiders eat. This is why spider webs are most prominent around the lights. Essential oils do help treat more areas and is not currently regulated. When treating docks for pest issues, AB Pest Control does not treat the boat unless specifically requested.
In a nutshell, these steps and inspections can make for a care-free season on the Lake. Happy boating to all!
