Spring is right around the corner, which means it will soon be time to pull your boat out of storage and get it ready for the upcoming months of warm weather and sunshine! A well-maintained boat is a safer boat and will last you many more years than a boat that is poorly cared for. Follow Kent’s Boats’ tips for summerizing your boat to make sure you’re ready for the upcoming boating season.

Your Engine

Your boat’s engine is likely the place that will need the most love and attention. Even if you did your best to winterize your boat, cold weather and months of storage can leave your engine a little ragged.

Things to check:

• Oil (now is the best time to replace your oil)
• Oil filter
• Battery (check for how well the battery holds a charge, and if your battery holds water, be sure it stays full, as a dry battery is no longer usable)
• Cooling system (hopefully you drained it before storage; now is the time to refill)
• Gas tank
• Distributor (clean out all corrosion)
• Lines, tubes and belts (look for cracks, holes, erosion, and loose worn belts)

The greatest killer of a good time out on the lake is an engine failure. Take your time summerizing your engine, and most problems will be easily avoided.

Your Hull

Damage to your hull can literally sink your boat. Don’t forget to conduct a thorough inspection of all areas of your boat’s hull, bow to stern.

What to look for:

• Chips and cracks
• Chalky residue (sign of possible oxidation)
• Blisters
• Holes and punctures

This is the time of year you’ll want to restore your hull’s gelcoat. A gelcoat is responsible not only for your boat’s reflective shimmer out on the water, it is also what repels water and thus protects your hull from oxidation. Low levels of oxidation can generally be repaired with fiberglass cleaner, but you may need to hire a professional to address serious oxidation.

Your Canvas and Vinyl

Canvas and vinyl is easier to fix than most other areas on your boat. Check for tears, mildew, dirt and anything else growing and gunking up your boat. Clean thoroughly with cleaners that are canvas and vinyl safe.

Your Electronics

It’s best to make sure all of your electronics are working properly before you take your boat out. Radio, GPS and compass, depth readers, etc. should all be checked to be sure that they are in fine and working order.

Your Safety Equipment

Now is the time to double-check your life-preserves and fire extinguisher. Make sure you the legally required number of life-jackets and that your extinguisher is current and stored properly.

Your Metal and Teak

As a boat owner, you should be proud of your watercraft. Nothing says pride quite like well-maintained metal and teak. Applying a simple stain and varnish or a metal polisher is enough to make your boat stand out on the water. At Kent’s Boats, we are here to help you have the best time possible, whether it’s on your own boat or one of our Coeur d’Alene boat rentals. Check us out on Facebook, where we regularly post special pricing and summer deals: www.facebook.com/kentsboats.

At Kent’s Boats, we understand that going out on the lake is only part of your boating experience. Finding places along the lake to refuel, grab a bite to eat, and moor your watercraft is also a critical component of a day (or a season) spent on water.

There are numerous marinas on Lake Coeur d’Alene and Hayden Lake where you can dock your boat, either for the day or for the season. Each marina offers an array of services. The following post should help give you an idea of where to go and what to expect at each.

Lake Coeur d’Alene

Starting in Coeur d’Alene at the north end of the lake and working your way south, these are the marinas on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Boardwalk Marina

Boardwalk Marina is located at the northermost end of Lake Coeur d’Alene and is the largest marina and moorage location on the lake. It is a full-service marina, with fuel dock, pump-out station, potable water, overnight and seasonal moorage, as well as tie-ups for boats and jet skis. There is also a convenient store.

Harrison County Docks

Harrison County Docks are located further east along the north tip of the lake. The county maintains a boat launch, pump-out station, public restroom, and overnight moorage only. There is also swimming space (though no lifeguard) and space for parking.

Discovery Marina

Discovery Marina is operated by Gozzer Ranch and is open to the public. It offers nightly, six-night and seasonal moorage. Huttons General Store is nearby and can be contacted for fuel dock services.

Carlin Bay Resort

Carlin Bay Resort is situated on the east bank of the lake and can be reached off Highway 97. The resort offers a fuel dock, boat launch and restaurant.

Black Rock Marina

Black Rock Marina is located in Rockford Bay and is a full-service marina. There is a public boat launch, boat rentals, fuel dock, and pump-out station. Shooters Bar and Grill and convenient store are also on-site. Moorage is available.

Sun-Up Bay Boat Launch

Sunup Bay Boat Launch is a part of the Sunup Bay Resot and Trailer Park, located in Worley. There are parking (including trailer space), boat docks, public restrooms and boat docks at the launch.

Gateway Restaurant and Marina

The Gateway Restaruant and Marina is a full-service marina on the southeast end of the lake. In addition to the restaurant, there are boat rentals, a boat launch, and daily and seasonal moorage available.

Conkling Marina & Resort

Conkling Marina is the southernmost moorage on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Daily, seasonal and year-round moorage are all available. The resort operates a pump-out station, restaurant, convenient store, and RV and camping sites.

Hayden Lake

Hayden Lake Marina

The Hayden Lake Marina offers the only public moorage on Hayden Lake. The marina is full-service, with gas pumps, boat launch ramps, power and water hook-ups, daily and seasonal moorage, parking and trailer storage. The marina offers winter stoarge, as well as winterizing and summerizing services.