Next to our house and possibly car or truck, our boat is the next largest investment. One we should protect.

The first line of protection is insurance. Depending on the boat’s value, the motor and trailer may be covered by your homeowner’s policy. Otherwise you require a policy specifically for boats. Seek a company specializing in boats. Not all boat insurance policies are the same so, please, read and understand your insurance coverage.

Fully charge the battery. Check on your boat, charging the battery at least monthly. If not equipped with a trickle charger, an extra, a fully charged replacement battery, is cheap insurance. Never set batteries on concrete floors or bare dirt as the ground’s natural electric current discharges them.

Test the bilge pump and float switch. Clean all scuppers and inspect all overboard lines for breaks and “junk” that may block them. A broken overboard drain line is in the top five reasons boats sink.

While in the bilge, inspect all through hull fittings. With a plug close at hand, give thru-hull fittings a good tug or pull. One in good shape won’t break. Thru-hull failure is also in the top five causes of boats sinking.

Inspect all dock lines and replace those showing signs of fraying or age. If they are stiff, first clean with a hose to remove dirt and salt. Soften them by soaking overnight in clean water and a half a cap of fabric softener then rinse thoroughly and let air dry.

Wash the boat to remove salt, bug, bait and fish residue then if possible apply a coat of wax including the hull.

With screwdrivers and wrenches tighten all hull fittings especially cleats and bow rails.

A waterproof mooring cover protects a boat and/or the cockpit from winter’s elements. Use poles or ribs to guarantee a tight mooring cover so rain and snow don’t collect. Before installing, hose off the cover and if needed us a soft bristle brush to remove stubborn dirt. Hose it again from the inside out to remove dirt in the fabric weave.

If you haven’t waterproofed the mooring cover in the last three years, it’s due. Thoroughly clean and allow to air dry. Layout the mooring cover on a clean flat surface, a driveway or garage floor. Following manufacturer’s instructions, use a paint tray and roller to coat the fabric outside with a waterproofing liquid.

If the boat is stored on a trailer, wash it. Inspect all wiring and connections for chafing. Make sure all lights work, replacing burned out bulbs or repairing wiring and connections. Inspect the trailer for rust especially load-bearing sections such as bunker supports and spring and axel mounts, then repair or repaint. Rust-Oleum works wonders. Inspect, clean and grease wheel bearings. Inspect tires for dry rot and replace as necessary. A trailer tire flat can ruin an outing. Fully inflate tires as they lose pressure during colder weather. Protect the tires by covering them, shielding them from direct sunlight both summer and winter.

Protect your boat from the winter elements plus doing minor maintenance now will get you on the water faster in the spring.

For more boating safety and education opportunities, visit your local Power Squadron website at http://www.pamlicosailandpowersquadron.org.

Biff Matthews is a member of the Pamlico Sail & Power Squadron.