Each year, thousands of boat owners across Long Island will use at least some part of Memorial Day weekend as the time of year to clean the boat and then head out for the first time to their favorite fishing or anchoring spot for a day on the water with family and friends. Unfortunately, just getting the dust off the boat and taking it for a spin to get the engine revved up does not mean it is seaworthy.

On Memorial Day weekend the boat ramps at TR Park will predictably be filled with at least a few frustrated and aggravated boat owners and passengers. They will have taken the boat out for the first time to discover that not only is the boat nowhere near seaworthy, it will not even start. Now is the time to start getting your boat ready to actually be able to enjoy the boat on Memorial Day and not hog the boat ramps from other boaters. Rather than be one of the inconsiderate boaters on the ramp trying to get your boat to crank or actually cleaning it for the first time, consider that the weather is already overall nicer and that few people are using the boat ramps and waterways at this time of year.

Furthermore, spending some time and money on the boat now on some basic preventive items can generally prevent minor problems or a great deal of repairs throughout the height of the boating season, when costs are higher. If you did not winterize your boat and do not know how to get it ready, then the best thing you can do at this point is to take it to a marine mechanic and have it checked out or actually "summerized."

Ask your mechanic to check your batteries, all of your fluid levels, and make sure your boat will start before you head to the TR Park boat ramps and also make sure it starts again when you are ready to head home from your first cruise. Also, ask the mechanic to check out your water pump, bilge pumps, electrical system, fuel system, all required safety gear and lights to make sure they are working correctly. Do not rely on this, but the mechanic might also notice that your trailer registration tags and boat numbers are expired and need to be updated before putting the boat in the water, thus saving you money in fines from the local policing authorities.

Many boaters try to do a lot of things on their own, but there are some things that you should realize may require boat experts to help keep the boat running correctly. Spending money on having your boat in top working condition is not fun, but even less enjoyable is being stuck out on the waterways in a unpredicted storm when the boat will not start. So, start planning now and spend a little money getting your boat checked out before heading to the water. This money will be well spent.

Here are 10 tips of priority things you should do now:

1) Do a general cleaning of the boat using a mild detergent

2) Clear all scuppers and drains

3) Put on a coat of wax to make the boat shine

4) Clean and buff metal with a good polish

5) Clean teak and then oil it

6) Tidy the interior and clean the bilges

7) Test spare parts and tools and replace as needed

8) Verify that registration is current and in a secure place onboard

9) Test and change wiper blades if needed

10) Arrange for a free Courtesy Vessel Exam from the Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron

For more information about local environmental issues, boating, and other water-related activities throughout the Oyster Bay area you can email the author at Jaime.VanDyke@gmail.com or reach her at 946-9464.