While sleek and sexy speed boats will always be exciting to watch as they race across the lake, pontoon boat owners harbor no jealousy toward those who own them. This is because pontoon owners have achieved true boating zen by opting for the wide-bodied stability of a slower, but still powerful pontoon boat. With plenty of power for pulling skiers and tubes, these boats offer comfortable seating for large groups, along with convenient swim decks, canopies, and storage for water toys and for fishing equipment. If you one of the many who have fallen for the lure of the pontoon boat, the following tips can help speed your preparation for this year's summer fun at the lake.
Start with the fuel
Even though you likely added fuel stabilizer to your pontoon boat's fuel tanks before putting it to bed last fall, it is still a wise idea to add some fresh fuel to the tanks in preparation for your first outing of the year. If any moisture did enter the tanks, the addition of fresh fuel will help to minimize its effects. If, however, you were not able to add fuel stabilizer to the tanks last fall or you have any reason to believe that there is a significant amount of moisture in the tank, it is best to drain them, safely dispose of the old fuel, and then refill them with fresh fuel.
Check the batteries
Pontoon boat batteries that have been idle for several months over the winter may have lost their charge and be unable to assist in starting the pontoon's engine when you arrive at the lake. Instead of taking the risk of being stranded with a dead battery, take time to charge it at home with a portable battery charger a few days before your first outing is to take place. Once it is fully charged, wait for a full day or two and then remove it from the boat and take it to your local auto parts or boat accessory store to be load tested to determine if it is still working correctly. If not, you will still have time to replace the battery with a fresh one before leaving for the lake.
Inspect belts, hoses, and components
Rats and mice love to chew on wiring and hoses and a stored, covered pontoon boat provides them the perfect place to do this damage. Take time to carefully inspect all visible wiring in your pontoon boat, looking for chew marks, damage, or debris from chewing activities. If any is discovered, take time to repair the damage before taking the pontoon to the water.
To learn more about prepping your pontoon (or any boat) for summer fun, talk to your local boat accessories dealer soon.
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