MAKING WAVES /// CAPTAIN’S TEST“It’s the most wonderful time
of the year!” Time to get the
boat ready for the season —
there is no better time of year
on a boater’s calendar. To help
ensure a trouble-free launch,
let’s see how ready you are.
—John Tiger
(Answers on page 16)SPRING
COMMISSIONING
PHOTO: COURTESY VOLVO PENTA- What’s the best way
to remove shrink-wrap
from your boat after
winter’s layup?
A. Use a utility knife
to cut down the
middle of the deck
coverage.
B. Rip the shrink-wrap
with your hands to
avoid the chance
of cutting the boat
with a utility knife.
C. Carefully cut the
retaining rope/
strap around the
perimeter of the
hull, then peel
away the shrink-
wrap from the
boat. Dispose of/
recycle the plastic
wrap properly.
D. None of the above
— don’t use shrink-
wrap. - When checking life
jackets and other PFDs
after winter storage, you
should check for:
A. Expiration date
B. Mold and mildew
C. Torn or damaged
clasps, belts and
straps
D. Worn, damaged
covering and
exposed flotation
material
E. All of the above
F. B, C and D
3. Your spring trailer
check-over and mainte-
nance should include:
A. Checking tires for
dry rot, flat spots
and irregularly
worn tread
B. Checking wheel
bearings and/
or changing
wheel-bearing
grease
C. Making sure the
boat fits the trailer
properly
D. Checking for worn
and/or damaged
bunks, rollers and
supports
E. A, B and D
F. All of the above
4. A typical spring
engine check-over
should include:
A. Checking fuel lines
for softness, crack-
ing, brittleness,
and inner-wall
separation from
alcohol-extended
fuels
B. Checking belts for
proper tension
C. Checking all water
hoses for deterio-
ration and cracking
D. None of the above;
this should have
been done during
fall layup
E. All of the above;
these are all good
items to check in
both fall layup and
spring recommis-
sioning- If, when checking
through-hull fittings, you
find cracked and missing
sealant and/or broken
fittings, you should:
A. Replace any fitting
that is suspect
and bed with new
sealant
B. Have a professional
check and replace
any and all fittings
that are suspect
C. Remove any
suspect fitting,
rebed with proper
sealant and tighten
securely
D. A or B - When checking
anti-corrosion devices,
you should:
A. Replace any anode
that has deterio-
rated to less than
half its original size
B. Paint anodes that
have deteriorated
to preserve them
C. Inspect propellers,
gear cases and
related material
(rudders, shafts,
etc.) for signs of
corrosion
D. B and C
E. A and C