Keeping Your Boat Seaworthy

Keeping Your Boat Seaworthy 

A boat may be a big expense for your family, but chances are good you enjoy it, especially during the summer months. No matter how much you paid for your boat, the vessel is useless if it isn't kept seaworthy. Here are some tips on keeping your boat water-ready.

• Protect Against Birds

Birds may not do any more damage than simply leaving droppings on your boat, but this mess can damage your boat’s exposed upholstery and finish and requires cleaning and sanitization to remove germs. By keeping birds away from your boat, you can reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning and the damage done to its appearance. Consider investing in bird netting or canvas covers for smaller boats. For larger boats, you can string monofilament across your masts, stays, cabin top and so forth, creating a nuisance that prevents birds from landing and loitering.

• Secure Your Boat for Hurricanes

If your boat is docked during a hurricane or tropical storm, it's a good idea to invest in better dock lines and change how you arrange them so that your boat is more secure and protected against chafing.

• Inspect Your Boat Frequently

Fittings both above and below the waterline can let water into your boat if they are leaking. Several times a year you should check these fittings or hire a professional to do so. Check also for leaking hose clamps and cracks in the generator intake hose or in the hull. Keep your pumps maintained regularly and invest in a bilge alarm so that you have sufficient warning when there is a leak. Lastly, be sure to watch for bilge pump clogs and a dying battery.

• Invest in Boat Insurance

While boat insurance may not to assist you in the preventative maintenance that keeps your boat on the water, it can provide roadside assistance, loss replacement and even on-water towing benefits. Getting help before things get too bad can keep your boat remain repairable and, if your boat is totaled or stolen, the insurance can ensure that your boat and equipment are replaced.

Whether you need to insure an existing boat or plan to buy a new one, give us a call at 813-933-6691 and get your free Tampa boat insurance quote. We can help you compare rates and benefits and find the perfect coverage for your vessel.