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Commissioning a Boat after weeks or months on the hard is the single best way to prevent mid-season breakdowns, avoid costly repairs, and keep your crew safe—because the majority of early-season assistance calls trace back to issues (fuel, batteries, cooling, or safety gear) that a thorough pre-splash check would have caught. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics, machinery failure alone caused 289 incidents, 13 deaths, and 94 injuries last season—making it one of the top five accident factors. Skip the checklist and you’re literally betting the season on luck.
Why Commission at All?
- Reliability: A few hours of inspection catches the small leaks, cracking hoses, or weak batteries that strand thousands of boaters every spring. Discover Boating notes that dead batteries and cracked fuel lines top the early-season trouble list
- Safety: Most fatal incidents still involve open motorboats under 21 ft where owners handle maintenance themselves. Proper commissioning puts life-saving gear (bilge pumps, PFDs, cutoff switches) back in spec.
- Resale & Warranty: Keeping log-book proof that you commission a boat annually protects resale value and satisfies engine-warranty clauses.
- Peace of mind: A shake-down cruise should be about enjoying the ride—not listening for every rattle.
What Does “Commissioning A Boat” Mean?
Commissioning is the systematic re-activation and inspection of every critical boat system—hull, propulsion, electrical, plumbing, rigging, safety, and paperwork—after a period of non-use. Think of it as the marine equivalent of a 100-hour aircraft inspection.
The Owner’s Step-by-Step Spring Commissioning Checklist
Tip: Work bow to stern so nothing is missed. The numbered sections match the order you’ll likely tackle jobs on the hard.
Hull & Topsides (Before You Launch)
Bottom & Running Gear
- Check antifouling paint; spot-touch or repaint if thin.
- Inspect propeller for dings; re-secure cotter pins; wiggle shaft for cutless-bearing play.
- Scan hull for blisters or stress cracks; repair before splash.
- Exercise and lubricate seacocks; keep them closed when you leave the boat.
Deck Hardware & Seals
- Test rail stanchions, cleats, pulpits for movement.
- Hose-test hatches and ports; recaulk if you see drips.
Propulsion: Outboards, Stern-Drives & Inboards
| System | Key Checks | Recommended Timing |
| Bellows & Anodes | Inspect bellows folds for cracks; replace anodes >50 % wasted | Pre-launch |
| Fluids | Power-trim, steering, lower-unit gear oil | Pre-launch |
| Fuel Lines | Look for softness, brittleness, leaks; double-clamp below waterline | Pre-launch |
| Filters & Tanks | Replace filters; drain stale fuel; add stabilizer | Pre-launch |
| Sea Strainer & Cooling | Inspect for cracks or corrosion; clean screen | Launch day |
| Stuffing Box (inboards) | Adjust for 2–3 drops/min underway | Launch day |
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Electrical & Batteries
- Remove batteries from trickle-charger; reinstall; clean terminals and load-test.
- Verify operation of nav-lights, bilge pump, blowers, and alarms.
- Weak battery? Replace now—Discover Boating calls dead batteries “the most common season-starter” breakdown
Plumbing & Bilge
- Flush freshwater tanks and heads of antifreeze; pressure-test for leaks.
- Cycle macerators and sump pumps.
- Inspect hose clamps (stainless, doubled below waterline).
Safety Gear
- Replace flares older than 42 months.
- Check disposable fire extinguishers—USCG now mandates 12-year expiry.
- Test wireless or lanyard engine cut-off switch (required since 2021).
- Count serviceable PFDs for every passenger and inspect cylinders on inflatables.
Trailer (If You Haul Out)
- Inspect tire sidewalls, tread, and spare; set pressure.
- Repack wheel bearings; test lights, brakes, and winch.
Sailboat-Specific Rigging
- Examine swage fittings for cracks; look for “fish-hooks” on standing rigging.
- Strip old tape from turnbuckles, lubricate threads, re-tape allowing drainage.
Dockside & Paperwork
- Inspect shore-power cord ends for burns; test GFCI.
- Verify registration, documentation, and insurance are current.
- Update chart-plotter software and MMSI info; schedule a free USCGAUX Vessel Safety Check.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
| Pitfall | Consequence | Preventive Step |
| Launching with the drain-plug out | Immediate flooding at ramp | Install plug during trailer prep |
| Forgetting to open the fuel-tank vent | Engine stall or tank collapse | Crack vent before start-up |
| Skipping battery charge | Dead ship’s power, no start | Charge & load-test the day before |
| Not re-caulking deck hardware | Leaks → rot, mold | Hose-test & seal suspect fittings |
| Ignoring expired extinguishers | Non-compliance, fine | Replace disposables >12 years old |
Commission-to-Splash Timeline
| Week | Tasks |
| -3 weeks | Order filters, anodes, paint; schedule yard services |
| -2 weeks | Hull inspection, bottom paint, prop service |
| -1 week | Fuel-system checks, battery re-install, safety-gear audit |
| Launch Day | Sea-strainer & stuffing box check, thru-hull leak check |
| First 10 hrs | Shakedown cruise; retorque engine belts and fasteners |
When to Call the Pros
If you uncover fuel leaks, significant wiring corrosion, steering play, or structural hull cracks, it’s time to bring in a certified marine technician. J-TEK Marine can handle everything from bow to stern.
J-TEK Marine Electronics, in Stuart, Florida, provides certified installation of Raymarine, Garmin Marine Electronics, Furuno, Simrad, and many other marine electronics. Whether updating your vessel with a retrofit or looking for a brand new installation, we’ll help you determine what best meets your boating and fishing requirements. Contact us for a free estimate.