It has been awhile since I’ve had time to sit down and write anything for Throttled but with the off season among us, I think it is a perfect time for an off season checklist. This is the most crucial time of year to prepare for the new season that will be here before you know it. As I play back all of the races we went to in 2021 and the issues I encountered or saw my friends face, if it's going to break, it is most likely to happen on a day where the race matters the most! Between trailer issues, motor issues and boat issues, it is bound to happen, but being prepared can make it less of an issue at the time.
As we wait for the snow in the Northeast, this is a good time to check over your trailer-
Tires- one thing I’ve learned driving all over the country, spend the extra money and buy good trailer tires. Replace those worn out tires, the last thing you want to be doing at 2am is changing a tire on the side of Route 80.
Bearings and axles- Just check them out, make sure the bearings are greased and the axle is straight.
Lights- replace any broken lenses and burnt out bulbs, rather rewire the trailer now then in the dark in a rest stop.
Racks- Glance over the frame of your trailer, look for any cracks in the rack system and the boards themselves. Might be time to replace the 20 year old indoor/outdoor carpet that is wearing a hole through the bottom of your boat!
Motor box- Check your motor rack, make sure you aren’t going to see an issue going down the road and by the time you get to your destination, you have a broken skeg and the motor is laying on the floor. Replace all the disposable stuff like sprays and cleaners- you know the stuff you borrow off the guy who parked next to you.
Ropes- Depending on your belief system, if you use ropes or straps. Consider it may be time to replace all of them and just know going into the 2022 season, you won’t see your boat laying on the side of the highway.
Boat-
Replace your steering cable- we as a group have to get in a habit of doing this more. We are all guilty of building a new boat and that steering cable stays in it for the boat's whole life. Call Brown or Portage bay next week and order cable or rope and replace it.
Throttle Cable- Not sure how many times I’ve broken inner cables but I set a record this year and it always seems to happen right before a heat, no matter how many times I checked it. Quick story, we were at Big Rapids and the Pearson’s and myself were rigging our boats for the marathon. Giving one last look over things, I check my throttle and snap. Inner cable breaks as I released it. Luckily I had left it a little long and it was a quick fix and I wheeled my rig to the water. Not even five minutes go by and Josh checks his throttle on the DSR and BAM same thing but the Tohatsu are a little more difficult, so thrashed and got the new cable installed but just play it smart and start the 2022 season with new throttle cable.
Kill Switch- check your kill switch, does it work? How do the connections look? Do the wires look like a squirrel was chewing on them? Replace it all. We expect this item to potentially save our life or another racers life when that time comes, do the right thing and make sure it functions properly.
Boat itself- Look over your boat, check for cracks in the normal places- bottom, transom, dash, cockpit and chines. Give it a fresh coat of varnish or west, maybe some paint and go into the season with a brand new looking boat
Fin- Check your bracket and hardware and change the bolts that hold the fin on. Simple stuff that wears out over time.
Numbers- Make your numbers legal and easy to ready for the scorers. Not that difficult.
Motor-
Fog it before putting it away for the winter
Change your gear oil
Rings- might be that time
Look for visible damage to the block, tower and steering bars
Change steering bar hardware-
Spark plugs- stock up for the next year
Extra parts- decide what you need for the next year and order now in hopes of getting for the season.
Safety Gear-
Helmet- Check your DOT/SNELL. If it’s time for a new helmet, go buy one.
Lifejacket- check for tears. Biggest thing is to make sure it still floats you. Sometime when it gets warmer, go jump in the lake with your kevlar and life jacket on. Be surprised how many people have never gone upside down in their gear and not realize the pain it is to swim when you're weighed down.
Kevlar- while it's hard to find now, a solution is on the horizon. We will keep you updated on this but be sure to check your kevlar, replace zippers and get rid of the duct tape. If you have outgrown it, it might be time to put it on the fb marketplace and pass it onto the next generation.
Footwear- since there is no viable source of kevlar socks, get something you feel safe in. Please just don't wear a tennis shoe or some velcro sneakers from Walmart.
Membership-
Join the APBA, get it done and over with
Join your local club but also join another club out of region- South Shore Outboard offers an amazing newsletter every month, Tacoma Speedboat is like $2 to join. Support other clubs around the country.
Extras-
Tools- see what you lost in the last year
Corks- always have extras
Prop Nuts
Shear Pins
Starter ropes
Hardware- all sizes
West Epoxy/ hardener
Carbon
Shims
Chairs
Ez-up
Fuel cans
inner cable
outter cable
spool of steering cable
I'm sure there is more I missed but this should keep you busy for a week or more.
-JWIII