Start with a Close Look
Spring is the best time to catch problems, because the boat is out of the water, clean, and easy to inspect. Before you think about launching, walk the whole boat and look for what the winter left behind:
- New stress cracks, or old ones that have grown
- Chips and scratches through the gelcoat to bare fiberglass
- Soft spots in the floor, transom, or deck
- Blisters on the hull below the waterline
Check the Bottom Before It Goes In
Once the boat is in the water for the season, the bottom is out of reach until fall. Now is the time to deal with worn or peeling bottom paint, treat any osmotic blistering, and apply a barrier coat if the hull needs one. A little prep in the spring saves a haul-out headache later.
Wax Before the Sun Gets It
The fading process starts the first day your boat sits in the sun, so get ahead of it. A proper compound, polish, and wax with UV inhibitors protects the gelcoat through the season — not just for looks, but to keep the finish from breaking down. It's far easier to maintain a good finish than to restore a faded one.
Address What the Winter Found
If your spring inspection turned up cracks, soft spots, or blisters, deal with them before they have a full season to get worse. A crack that lets water into the core in May is a much bigger job by September. Early-season repairs are simpler, cheaper, and keep you on the water when it counts.
Final Takeaway
A good spring commissioning is mostly about looking closely and fixing the small stuff before it grows. Get the bottom sorted, protect the finish, and address any winter damage. If you'd like a professional eye on the hull before launch, we're glad to take a look.
Not sure how bad it is? Let’s take a look.
Over 20 years of fiberglass repair experience in the 1000 Islands. We’ll give you an honest assessment and a detailed estimate.
Call Dave & Erik — 315-323-8056