Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle

EARLY SPRING—BOAT AND MOTOR MAINTENANCE ‘97 Early spring is the time to get your fishing boat ready to catch ‘em up. Annual maintenance and service is a ritual for me. Here is a list of things that you may want to consider on your annual boat/motor checklist. This certainly is not all-inclusive, but will provide a good starting point. OUTBOARD MOTORS *Change oil filters, inspect oil pump *Change gear lube (high quality synthetic lubes are best) *Clean, inspect, change plugs *Inspect/change water separators and fuel filters *Inspect battery and electrical connections (add distilled water) *Check for worn electrical connections, wires and check all fuses and switches *Inspect props, seals, cotter pins and lube prop shafts *Lube motor fittings and inspect power trim/tilt *Add hydraulic steering fluid *Inspect all pumps and replace worn hoses/ test bilge pump operation *Spray motor with Corrosion X *Add ring-free fuel additive *Change water pump impeller or install new pumps *Check operation of hour meters and flo-scans *Test operation of warning horns, inspect for rust *Wax motor cowlings *Clean and inspect live bait wells BOAT HULL *Inventory and inspect serviceability of offshore life jackets for adults and kids *Wash and wax (marine Teflon wax works well) *Polish all bright work with chrome polish *Tighten all fittings and cleats *Inspect all federal permit decals *Inspect back-up prop, restow securely *Check power anchor windlass (inspect chain connections and chafing anchor lines) *Repaint hull with high quality bottom paint (inspect for fiberglass work) *Clean electronics and lube connections *Inventory and update safety gear *Check First Aid Kit and epirb *Check flashlites and Q beams *Test Nav lights *Inspect through-hull fittings and seacocks *Inspect and clean gauges *Inspect structural integrity of swim platforms and motor brackets This is only a partial list of considerations. There is no diesel info. The bottom line is that conscientious, annual care of your boat and motor will allow you to spend more trouble-free, fun time on the water catching fish. And, it will provide a verifiable record with your marine mechanic when it is time to sell your boat. Boats and motors that are cared for on a regular basis, command greater resale values. Till next tide, solid hookups and tight lines, Captain Alex Crawford Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association Proud Member Florida Guides Association Proud Member Coastal Conservation Association www.topknots.com [email protected] EARLY SPRING—BOAT AND MOTOR MAINTENANCE ‘97 Early spring is the time to get your fishing boat ready to catch ‘em up. Annual maintenance and service is a ritual for me. Here is a list of things that you may want to consider on your annual boat/motor checklist. This certainly is not all-inclusive, but will provide a good starting point. OUTBOARD MOTORS *Change oil filters, inspect oil pump *Change gear lube (high quality synthetic lubes are best) *Clean, inspect, change plugs *Inspect/change water separators and fuel filters *Inspect battery and electrical connections (add distilled water) *Check for worn electrical connections, wires and check all fuses and switches *Inspect props, seals, cotter pins and lube prop shafts *Lube motor fittings and inspect power trim/tilt *Add hydraulic steering fluid *Inspect all pumps and replace worn hoses/ test bilge pump operation *Spray motor with Corrosion X *Add ring-free fuel additive *Change water pump impeller or install new pumps *Check operation of hour meters and flo-scans *Test operation of warning horns, inspect for rust *Wax motor cowlings *Clean and inspect live bait wells BOAT HULL *Inventory and inspect serviceability of offshore life jackets for adults and kids *Wash and wax (marine Teflon wax works well) *Polish all bright work with chrome polish *Tighten all fittings and cleats *Inspect all federal permit decals *Inspect back-up prop, restow securely *Check power anchor windlass (inspect chain connections and chafing anchor lines) *Repaint hull with high quality bottom paint (inspect for fiberglass work) *Clean electronics and lube connections *Inventory and update safety gear *Check First Aid Kit and epirb *Check flashlites and Q beams *Test Nav lights *Inspect through-hull fittings and seacocks *Inspect and clean gauges *Inspect structural integrity of swim platforms and motor brackets This is only a partial list of considerations. There is no diesel info. The bottom line is that conscientious, annual care of your boat and motor will allow you to spend more trouble-free, fun time on the water catching fish. And, it will provide a verifiable record with your marine mechanic when it is time to sell your boat. Boats and motors that are cared for on a regular basis, command greater resale values. Till next tide, solid hookups and tight lines, Captain Alex Crawford Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association Proud Member Florida Guides Association Proud Member Coastal Conservation Association www.topknots.com [email protected]