“The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change, the realist adjusts the sails.” William Arthur Ward

March is a month of transition. It “comes in like a lion” and eventually “leaves like a lamb”. From pessimistic gray days we can feel the optimism of spring’s inception and anticipate that final break in the weather. This anticipation makes March the perfect month to ready your mind and vessel for the pending launch season. The following article will attempt to address those pre-launch preparation needs.

Boats are complicated beasts, as they incorporate many systems similar to those found in our homes and autos. You have kitchen and bath system maintenance siding with engine and structural upkeep. The roster of systems is endless. This also means that the upkeep is endless. Preparing a list of your systems and their pending maintenance, potential and real, will make for an easier launch season.

With your projects mapped into systems, it is time to place these systems into one of two categories, work done out of the water, and that whilst in water. Those jobs necessary prior to launch are most likely related to the under side and the remote realms of your vessel, i.e. hull prep, and any prop and engine work. These pre-launch jobs are often the largest of your spring workload in terms of time, cost and labor. Common knowledge dictates that you are also at the mercy of Mother Nature, who is unpredictable at best. Therefor a list, with calendar, is a great way to project your workload, costs and count down to launch.

Below is a suggestion list for pre-launch endeavors:

 Inspect and attend to propeller, shaft, and the shaft zinc.
 Inspect fixed and swing keels for damage, leaks and mechanism failures
 Attend to your engine’s stuffing box
 Seal and inspect all transducers and seawater intakes
 Prepare and bottom paint hull
 Check engine lines, zincs, & filters and commission for use at launch
 Inspect rigging for safety issues

With the pre-launch workload mapped out you will want to configure your shopping list. The last thing you want to do is get to the boat shorthanded. What Torresen Marine tends to sell the most of each spring is listed below to assist you:

 Bottom Paint (figure one can every 10 linear feet of boat)
 Paint Trays, Brushes, Strainers
 Filters, Oil and Fuel
 Oil, per Quart
 Oil Absorbent Pads
 Stuffing Box Packing and Zincs
 Fuel, Water and Exhaust Hose, Cut to Length
 Rigging Tape
 Silicone & Caulking Sealant and Epoxies

With the pre-launch work tackled you may concentrate on your immediate and future “in the water needs”. Every sailor’s needs & goals are different; therefor mapping and organizing these like your pre-launch work is equally beneficial.

With all this preparation and work in store the Torresen Marine staff would like to remind you of our Annual Spring Thaw, March 11th. The items listed above, along with our entire stock, will be offered at discounted prices. It’s a great opportunity to get your supplies, while saving some time and money.

Share or bookmark this story: