Getting Your Shell Ready for the Water this Spring

March is here, and if you are anything like the clubs we work with in the North East, you are probably counting down the days until you can get your boats out of winter storage and back on the river.

It is incredibly tempting to just grab a shell and launch. However, a boat that has been sitting in a freezing boathouse for months might need a little TLC before it hits the water. Taking 10 minutes to do a thorough inspection right now could save you from a major headache on the water.

Here is a quick checklist to make sure your shell is actually ready for spring training.

1. Inspect for Hidden Winter Damage: Temperature swings can be rough on composite materials. Even if your boat was put away in perfect condition, the cycle of freezing and thawing can turn a microscopic impact into a noticeable hairline crack. Walk the entire length of the hull and check for any soft spots, spider cracking, or areas where the finish looks different. Pay special attention to the bow and stern tips, as they take the most abuse during storage and handling.
   
2. Verify the Hull is Watertight: Water intrusion is the enemy of boat weight and structural integrity. Check all of your vent holes. If you use tape anywhere as a temporary seal, peel off the old layers and apply fresh tape. If you use physical plugs, make sure the rubber hasn't dried out and cracked over the winter. If you hear water sloshing around when you flip the boat, you need to find out exactly where that moisture is coming from before you put it back in the river.
   
   
3. Clean and Test the Seat Tracks: Your seat tracks probably collected a nice layer of dust or grit over the winter. Do not just let the seat grind over it. Wipe the tracks down thoroughly with a cleaner like SprayWay glass cleaner (Not WD-40). Once they are clean, roll the seat back and forth by hand. If you feel any bumps, check your wheels and tracks for flat spots. Replacing any wheels or tracks now is much better than dealing with a sticky slide out on the water.
   
   
4. Give Your Hardware the Wiggle Test: Go down the line and check your foot stretchers, shoes, and rigger bolts. Grab the shoes and give it a firm shake. Does it move? Tighten them down. Also make sure your heel ties are still in place.  Hardware naturally loosens over time, and cold weather can sometimes cause things to shift slightly.  

We all want to maximize our time on the water this spring. A quick inspection guarantees your equipment will actually perform the way it is supposed to.

If you do your walk-around and spot a crack, a soft spot, or some questionable damage, you can send us a message or give us a call. We can take a look, give you an honest assessment, and get it fixed properly if needed so you can focus on rowing.