Getting ready for a tropical system is mostly about the boat’s position and lines, but the diesel and the generator have their own short list, and it’s worth doing before a storm is forecast rather than during the scramble. A few checks now mean the engine starts without a fight and the generator can actually carry the house if you lose shore power for days afterward.
Fuel tanks full, not half full
A full fuel tank leaves less room for condensation and less room for water intrusion if the boat takes on any rain or spray during the storm. It also means you’re not searching for open fuel docks after a storm has knocked out power across the area. Top off before a system is forecast, not after, and if the fuel’s been sitting since spring, it’s worth a look at the condition we covered in our post on summer heat and fuel condition.
Batteries charged and connections tight
A storm is the worst time to discover a marginal battery or a corroded terminal, because it’s exactly when you need the engine and the generator to start without hesitation. Check terminals for corrosion, confirm the batteries are holding a full charge, and if you’ve been meaning to replace a battery that’s been sluggish all season, do it now instead of after the storm passes.
Bilge pumps need power to work
A bilge pump is only useful if the boat has power to run it, which means the battery and charging system checks above aren’t optional ahead of a storm. If the boat will be unattended, confirm the bilge pump is wired to run off the battery independent of shore power, since shore power is often the first thing to go.
The generator is your power plan afterward
The bigger question for most owners isn’t getting through the storm itself, it’s the days afterward without shore power. A generator that hasn’t been exercised in a while is not a generator you want to discover has a problem the morning after a storm, when everyone on the dock needs a technician at once. Starting it, running it under load, and confirming it’s ready is worth doing this week rather than the week the forecast turns. We covered the no-start basics in our post on generators that won’t start, and most of those checks are exactly what you want to run through now, before you need the answer under pressure.
Lines and fenders matter too, but that’s not our department
We’re not going to tell you how to rig storm lines, that’s a conversation with your marina or a rigger. What we can tell you is that a diesel and a generator that are fueled, charged, and confirmed running are one less thing to worry about when a system is actually bearing down on the Jersey Shore.
If you want the generator and engine looked at before storm season gets serious, we handle that as part of routine mobile service up and down the coast. Call us at (609) 242-8448 and get it done this week, not the week of the warning.
Have any questions?
Contact Forked River Diesel and Generator for support with your marine diesel generator repair.