Prep Your Pontoon for Spring

We know it’s not boating season, but in our minds, that equates to preseason! The winter downtime gives you a chance to plan ahead for when lakes are declared boat-friendly again. That could mean enhancing your pontoon with epic and essential accessories that will make you the life of the lake party, or it could mean making repairs that ensure your boat is in tip-top condition before hitting the water again. 

Regardless of your pontoon ambitions, here’s our reminder guide for what you should do in late winter in order to have your pontoon lake-ready by the time spring rolls around. 

Charge the Battery

It happens to boaters all the time. When you’re feeling the itch to check on your boat and start de-winterizing it, you’ll find you can’t do much because the battery for the engine is dead. Do yourself a favor, and charge the battery the night before.

If your battery is a few years old, it’s a smart idea to have someone inspect the status of it before installing it in your boat. 

Prepare the Engine

Since freezing temperatures can cause your pontoon’s engine to crack and leak, you’ll want to look over it carefully before the start of the season. Also, check for damage to the propeller, an often forgotten area. 

If the engine is looking crack-free, then reconnect the spark plug wires, flush the antifreeze from the cooling system, and perform any other post-winterization maintenance suggestions offered by your pontoon manufacturer. 

Then check and change the fluids for your pontoon’s engine, including the oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and fuel.

Do a Thorough Inspection

As you take your pontoon out of storage, perform a complete inspection of the exterior to make sure there is no hull damage from the storage blocks or other bumps or scrapes. Then close any drains or valves you had closed for winterization.

Check over each component, including: 

• Fuel system: look for leaks

• Hoses and clamps: replace any that have punctures or are worn out

• Bilge pump and blower vents

• Electrical accessories: controls, gauges, systems, etc.

By doing this check during the preseason, you have the time to make any repairs, substantial or not, without jeopardizing a day of boating. 

Clean Your Pontoon & Accessories

While a good quality boat cover should have kept most debris, dirt, mold, and pests out of your pontoon, doing a cautious sweep of your floors, upholstery, and crevices is always a good idea. Don’t forget to check your engine and bilge for nesting animals, like mice who try to sneak in anywhere! 

Then wash your pontoon from top to bottom. Use warm water and mild soap to gently clean the hull, windshield, vinyl upholstery, flooring, and hardware. For full cleaning instructions or if you’re uncertain of what products to use or not use on your pontoon, see your manufacturer’s care instructions. 

When cleaning your pontoon, go ahead and open your autobimini top and wash it off, too. See our care instructions for it here. 

Get Your Safety Gear in Order

This is probably the easiest step in your preseason boat-prep checklist, but also one of the most important. Double-check that your emergency stop switch and navigation lights are in good working order. 

Then add in these safety items: 

• Life jackets

• Throwable flotation device

• Distress lights or orange flags

• Flashlight

• Fire extinguisher

Ensure Your Trailer Is Ready

With your pontoon all prepped, now make sure you can actually get it to the lake! Look over your trailer, check and air up the tires, and make sure to tighten the trailer winch line so your loading and unloading process is smooth, safe, and effortless. 

Enjoy the Ride Even More With autobimini

With your pontoon ready for a spring float trip, don’t forget the best part: relaxing in the shade of your autobimini! Install your own top-of-the-line electric bimini top or have the autobimini or autobimini lite installed by one of our exclusive dealers in your area. 

With seven canopy colors to choose from and silver or black aluminum frames, your autobimini can match your custom pontoon style. Plus, high-quality mechanics means you only have to push a button to get instant shade or open air. No more messing around with clunky bimini tops you have to take down and put up yourself. 

Order yours today online or find one through our dealers. For questions and assistance with installation, call us at 612-701-0711 or send us a message.