Fitting Out for the Season: Getting Your Boat Ready at King Point Marina

There is a particular feeling to March in Millbay. The light stretches a little longer each evening, the first settled weekends start to appear in the forecast, and down on the pontoons the covers begin to come off. Fitting-out season has arrived, and at King Point Marina it is one of the most enjoyable times of the year.

Whether you are a seasoned liveaboard or facing your first spring afloat, a little preparation now makes for a smoother, safer season ahead. One of the quiet joys of a walk-ashore berth in our naturally sheltered basin is how easy it is to pop down for an hour, tick a few jobs off the list, and be back home before the tide has even turned. Here is a simple checklist to work through.

Start below the waterline

The hull is the natural place to begin. Check and touch up your antifouling, inspect the anodes and replace any that are more than half spent, and work every seacock so nothing has seized over winter. It is also worth casting an eye over your log and depth transducers while the boat is accessible.

Engine, systems and the essentials

A pre-season engine service pays for itself many times over. Change the oil and filters, check the impeller and belts, and make sure your fuel is clean and your batteries are holding charge. Run through your gas and electrical systems too, and test the bilge pump before you rely on it.

Safety gear and paperwork

Before the first proper sail, check that lifejackets are serviced, flares are in date, and the first aid kit is complete. With more families heading out as the weather warms, it is also a good moment for the annual reminder that matters most to us all:

A person under the age of 16 must not operate a vessel within the confines of Sutton Harbour or King Point Marina, or the approach to Sutton Lock, unless they hold an appropriate RYA qualification or equivalent. This includes tenders and personal watercraft such as jet skis.

Then the fun part

With the boat ready, the whole season opens up. From King Point you have Royal William Yard and Plymouth Hoe on the doorstep, the whole of Plymouth Sound out front, and some of the finest cruising grounds in the South West within a day’s sail. There is no better base from which to begin.

Thinking about a berth for the season ahead? We would love to welcome you. Get in touch with the team on 01752 424 297 or at marina@kingpointmarina.co.uk to talk through berthing options and current availability.