This is the checklist you’ll need to get your sailboat ready for the season after winter storage. I’ve put this together based on my own experience: every winter I search all over the place for what I’ll need to sail again, and most seasons I end up forgetting something important. To make sure I have everything complete and ready to go, I created this comprehensive spring checklist.

 

 

✅ Hull and Deck

  • Check hull for cracks, osmosis, and gelcoat damage
  • Inspect hull for any new damage
  • Renew antifouling coating if needed
  • Clean, polish, and wax the hull
  • Inspect thru-hulls, seacocks, and hoses
  • Check sacrificial anodes and replace if necessary
  • Test railings for stability
  • Close all hatches and seacocks

 

⛵ Rigging and Sails

  • Check standing rigging (shrouds, stays) for corrosion, broken wires, tension
  • Inspect running rigging (halyards, sheets) for wear and functionality
  • Check mast, boom, and fittings for damage or corrosion
  • Clean and grease winches
  • Inspect all sails: seams, leech, UV protection
  • Install sails
  • Check all lines and chains
  • Oil and lubricate all moving parts (blocks, sheaves, winches)

 

🔋 Electrical and Electronics

  • Test bilge pumps (manual and electric)
  • Test spare bilge pump if available
  • Prepare power bank or 12V socket adapter
  • Carry spare fuses and light bulbs
  • Connect, charge, and test batteries
  • Charge spare battery
  • Test navigation lights, bilge pump, cabin lights, plotter, radio
  • Check all lights
  • Inspect cables and connectors for corrosion

 

🛠 Engine (Inboard or Outboard)

  • Prepare multitool or onboard tool kit
  • Spare parts: impeller, lines, hose clamps, safety cord
  • WD-40 or silicone spray for moving parts
  • Duct tape, zip ties, repair kit (sails, PVC)
  • Check engine oil level (change if needed)
  • Check impeller: sufficient water pressure?
  • Vent and test cooling system
  • Clean/replace fuel filter
  • Inspect V-belt
  • Inspect timing belt
  • Inspect/replace spark plug
  • Connect battery and start engine: check for leaks and unusual sounds
  • Start engine several times to test
  • Check gearbox oil
  • Inspect fuel tank and vent

 

💧 Water System and Sanitary

  • Clean and flush freshwater tank
  • Test pressurized and manual water pumps
  • Test marine toilet: hoses, seals, functionality

 

🔒 Safety and Emergency Equipment

  • Flashlight or headlamp + spare batteries
  • Safety line/lifeline for rough weather
  • Radar reflector on board?
  • Waterproof emergency bag
  • Handheld radio available?
  • Charging cable for handheld radio ready?
  • If fixed radios installed: test functionality
  • Lifebuoy available?
  • Automatic life jackets: check cartridges and triggers
  • Additional life jackets available?
  • Check expiry date of flares, smoke signals, signal lights
  • Fire extinguisher: pressure and maintenance
  • Liferaft (if present): check service interval
  • First-aid kit: check for completeness
  • Compass
  • Boathook
  • Paddle
  • Anchor spike (Thor or earth anchor)
  • Whistle
  • Red flag
  • Check condition of flags
  • Knot book available?

 

⚓ Equipment and Accessories

  • Check dinghy condition
  • Test dinghy engine functionality
  • Carry inflatable boat as backup
  • Electric air pump available?
  • Manual air pump available?
  • Check dinghy condition
  • Test dinghy engine functionality
  • Carry inflatable boat as backup
  • Inspect anchor, chain, and connections
  • Check fenders and mooring lines
  • Inspect sprayhood, bimini, covers for damage
  • Sponge, cleaning agents
  • Buckets (1 large, 1 small)
  • 3 long tension straps, 2 standard tension straps

 

🧳 Personal Equipment

  • Warm sailing jacket
  • Light sailing jacket
  • Beanie or warm hat
  • Full-body foul weather suit
  • Sailing gloves
  • Neck warmer or scarf
  • Pullovers (at least 2 warm ones)
  • Spare dry clothes
  • Thermal base layers
  • Warm sailing jacket
  • Light sailing jacket
  • Beanie or warm hat
  • Full-body foul weather suit
  • Sailing gloves
  • Neck warmer or scarf
  • Spare dry clothes
  • Thermal base layers
  • Warm sailing jacket
  • Light sailing jacket
  • Beanie or warm hat
  • Full-body foul weather suit
  • Sailing gloves
  • Neck warmer or scarf
  • Warm sailing jacket
  • Light sailing jacket
  • Beanie or warm hat
  • Nautical charts (paper or digital) for sailing area
  • Mobile phone with up-to-date navigation app (e.g., Navionics)
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal medications, travel first-aid kit
  • Cooler or cooling elements
  • Freshwater canister or water filter
  • Boat license available?
  • Required additional licenses (e.g., radio certificate, local licenses)?
  • Radio certificate (SRC/UBI/LRC) available?
  • Swim fins
  • 2 waterproof bags
  • Water shoes
  • 4 life jackets: check condition
  • All documents in bag: boat registration, trailer registration, insurance, all keys
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen
  • Swimwear, shorts, beach shoes
  • Knot book, cruising guide
  • Pillows, duvets, extra blankets

 

🚚 Trailer Check

  • 2 wheel chocks
  • Test trailer lights
  • Check brakes
  • Test tire pressure and inflate as needed
  • Check tire age
  • Trailer lock key available?
  • Trailer lock functional?
  • Cover for boat and trailer available?

 

Final Check Before Launching

  • Final visual hull inspection
  • All hatches and seacocks closed?
  • Bilge dry?
  • Engine start test possible on site?

• • Plan a test run after launch