Tips For Boat Haulout Preparation
Boat haulouts are a necessary process if you want to make sure your boat remains properly maintained. In most cases it's a good idea to go through the process annually so that barnacle and other growths can be removed, as well as a full inspection and painting of the hull can be completed. This extends the life of your boat and prevents expensive repairs later. The following tips can help you prepare for your haulout so that everything goes smoothly.
Tip #1: Empty the excess
Weight matters during haulout—you want to minimize it as much as possible to prevent weight-related damage when the boat is lifted. The simplest way to do this is to allow the boat to run low on both water and fuel immediately before haulout. Empty your black and gray water holding tanks, as well, but make sure the valves are fully closed so that no remaining black or gray water is discharged during the haulout.
Tip #2: Tend to your topside
Haulout services don't typically maintain the upholstery or topside of the boat, but the period that the boat is out of the water is the perfect time to clean and dry it out thoroughly so that mold is kept at bay. Wash all hard surfaces down with a bleach-based cleaner to kill any mold spores. Wipe down and clean your cushions and upholstery, and then stand the cushions on end. The period out of the water will give the cushions plenty of time to air out and dry, which helps prolong their useful life.
Tip #3: Make sure your cover is mold free
You don't want a moldy boat cover put on after the haulout is complete, since this will just lead to moldy conditions in the boat. Take the cover off the boat completely and spread it out on a flat surface with the underside of the cover facing up. Allow it to dry completely if it is damp. Then, don a respirator mask and brush all the mold spores with a dry brush, using the brush bristles to work all visible mold out of the cover's weave. Dry cleaning allows your to remove all of the mold without activating the growth of the spores with a water-based cleanser. This will help you avoid any moldy surprises when you are ready to relaunch your boat.
For more help with preparing your boat for a haulout, contact a marine services contractor in your area.
