What do I need to do to get a ski boat ready for summer?

Question

I have a 1999 Seaswirl 18ft ski boat that I "inherited" last spring. It's been sitting in an open boat storage all summer and I know it needs some maintenance before I can take it out on the lake, but am not quite sure what that would be. I don't want to go out and take it to a Marine place without knowing what needs to happen considering that I'm a woman and they will try to get as much service out of me as possible, even if it's not necessary. I live in Texas....that may help you avid boaters give me a better understanding of what needs to happen.

Thanks bunches!

Sorry...I meant that is was sitting in an open storage (with a boat cover) all WINTER.....

Answer 1

I would call several marina's in your area and see what they recommend on what preps should be done---I would charge any batteries and maybe have them load tested. Make sure gas is fresh and any old gas is removed if it was not treated with fuel stabilizer. Have the engine/inboard unit checked over --test run and oil/fluids checked or changed. Unless you know the maintenance history of the boat, I would have them do an inspection of all the operating components and any hull or onboard problems that they may notice. Registration up to date?

Answer 2

From personal experience Salomons never seem to go wrong. It obviously comes down to personal preference in the end, but I have been on a bunch of different skis and I always come back to something in the salamon line. I demo'd a pair of volkls a few years back, and those things tunred so quickly, so maybe consider a model of those as well. Right now I am on a pair of pocket rockets I got about 5 years ago, AND I LOVE THEM. They don't ski like I thought a mid fat would, they are great on everything (although I haven't tried them much on bumps). From that experience alone I say go with the foils.