Spring commissioning process?

[gtfireftr]

Finally going to start getting her ready for launch....
Is there any order in which is better than another.
Meaning, should I run the engines first, or paint the bottom first, or get the domestic water up and going..... Wow.... lots to do....
Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Crushin It]

Start with Advil then the other items in your preference. .

 

[northshore]

Start with Advil then the other items in your preference. .

Beer first - then advil!

Seriously, The time you need to do everything on the list gets away sometimes so...
(a lot, if not all of this you may already know)

Do the stuff that you cant possibly do once the boat is in the water first.

In my case, I'll be splashing in a little over a week, so the bottom paint got done last weekend and the wash and wax from the rub rail down will get done this weekend. Wash and wax from the rub rail up can wait.

I've got some work to do in the bilge that it wont matter if I'm in or out of the water.

I have a couple of real serious filters that I'm installing on the fresh water side and that has to wait till I'm in the water to get rid of all the antifreeze out of the freshwater tank.

Just crank your self up a list of 'what has to be done' before you get back in the water vs 'what can wait'. Then prioritize from there.
If I had run out of time, the rub rail down wax probably would have not got done.
I would have been pissed at myself for not planning better but I'd live.

-Mike

 

[Ray Ray]

Don't forget to check your safety equipment. I thought I had another year on my flares, but they proved me wrong, having expired over the winter. Also, take the opportunity to restock your medical kit and throw away expired meds. (And sharpen your scalpel..:grin

My process is this:
First ensure that I did all my fall decommissioning items such as lubing the throttle and shift cables and such.
Reinstall any drain plugs you may have removed, and close any drain valves.
Charge the batteries, check all fluid levels, and exercise seacocks.
Inspect the engine room for anything you might have overlooked before, including the condition of hoses and belts.
Check all systems on the boat before it leaves the slip, most can be done before it is even in the water.
Check all exterior lights
Check safety equipment

In water:
Check the bilge for leaks and fumes
Start engines, check oil pressure immediately
Check the bilge for leaks and fumes
Check for proper water flow out the exhaust
While still securely tied, briefly shift engines into fwd and reverse to check operation
check bilge for leaks and fumes

Away from slip:
Test all systems, auto pilot, etc.
run the boat fast enough to prime AC pump (doesn't take much, if you get it on plane, it will easily be primed)
Once you are satisfied, return to slip, and attempt to remember how to dock.
check bilge for leaks and fumes.

At slip:
Remember your dock lines have shrunk, so be prepared to return to the scene of the accident 12 to 24 hours later to ensure the boat is still where you want it. I tie mine up in the middle of the slip, tight. After the lines have stretched, then I adjust it for the season.
Recommision your water system.
Check bilge for leaks and fumes.
Check the operation of your A/C system.
Check bilge for leaks and fumes.
Go to the store and buy $5000 worth of junk food that you really shouldn't be eating.
Check bilge for (EVERYBODY join in!) LEAKS and FUMES!!!

Relax, you've earned a Twinkee and beer break.

There's probably some things I missed, but you get the idea....

+1....Excellent commissioning advice

 

[northshore]

+1....Excellent commissioning advice

I agree!

That should be posted permanently somewhere....

 

[Rhodeislander]

Replace you zincs while it out of the water, look at intakes for barnacles inside fittings.
Heavy wax along boot stripe, it gets nasty quick if you don't
bud

 

[uprightshark]

THis is a checklist prepared by our Club for the local outfitter that you may find helpful:

http://www.romeosmarine.com/SPRINGCOMMISSIONING.html

 

[wakeup 19]

THis is a checklist prepared by our Club for the local outfitter that you may find helpful:

http://www.romeosmarine.com/SPRINGCOMMISSIONING.html

I like it printed pages 3-6 for my use. thanks

 

[tc410]

I'm impressed... Not one post in this entire thread (so far) has referred to this process as "de-winterizing."