For some people, having a boat is a luxury they enjoy several times a year. For others, it is a way of life. No matter which side you’re on, you must learn some basic maintenance skills to keep your baby in check!
1. Check the Engine
As with any roaring machine, the engine is the heart of the beast and the part that requires the most attention. The last thing you need is to experience a major breakdown while off the coast.
Like with cars, your oil levels should never be low. A general rule is to change the liquid after every 50 to 100 driving hours. Perhaps an even better solution is to consult your manual regarding the oil change frequency. Here, you can find valuable information about the type of product you should be using.
Besides this routine, you should also start controlling the boat for oil and fuel leaks. Even if you have a minor suspicion about something, it’s best to consult boat mechanics near me. Similar to leaks, your hoses and lines require regular checkups. Lastly, check all the bolts and lubricate the engine’s moving parts.
2. Flush the Engine
Sticking to the topic of engines, another common practice is flushing the motor after each adventure. After spending time in the sea or ocean, salt crystals will accumulate on the surface, leading to massive damage over time. If you’re more into river cruising, flushing the engine will remove sand, muck, and any other debris.
The good news is that the newer models generally have a flushing system, saving you time and nerves. Still, as with any other engine process, we recommend you read the manual and learn how to use it.
If you don’t have such systems, getting one of the older flushers on Amazon and other online stores would be a good idea. The alternative name for this part is earmuffs, just so you don’t get confused. The entire flushing process takes about five minutes, and it shouldn’t take much getting used to.
3. Fix the Propeller
Like any other metallic part on your boat, the propeller is subject to corrosion. Aside from that, it is a part that commonly gets damaged by debris and underwater objects. Unfortunately, most people are slow to react to propeller damage, resulting in low performance and reduced safety.
The best propeller tip is also the simplest one: check the propeller nut and cotter pin before each outing. We suggest you don’t disregard damage and change the prop when necessary.
You should check and grease the shaft every once in a while. This is the best way to reduce corrosion over time. It’s also recommended that you check the propeller hub and shaft for debris or fishing lines. At the same time, make sure there’s a clean water intake.
4. Choose a Dry Storage
While having dry storage isn’t necessarily a maintenance trick, it will help with spare parts. Here, you can keep your life jackets, electric equipment, clothing, and other items you wouldn’t like to get wet.
Having dry storage also helps with on-deck safety. Pack all these valuable tools and parts in one place, so you’ll never lose them. The area should be dedicated to anything prone to mildew, corrosion, water retention, or malfunction caused by water.
5. Check the Flooring
The majority of cockpit floors can drain themselves, which makes cleaning a breeze. We suggest you remove any type of carpet, including textile and synthetic covers. While they might make your boat look nice, crumbs and dirt will penetrate below them, causing quite a mess when you finally decide to clean everything up.
If you’re still adamant about keeping it, we suggest shaking the carpet after every outing. Regular pressure washing and vacuuming will also do the trick. Once you’re done, leave the rug to dry.
Speaking of deck maintenance, regular scrubbing is always a good practice. It removes all the dirt and stains that accumulate over time. This step is crucial if you keep your boat dry docked for months and months without any checkup or maintenance.
6. Clean Everything
As you’d expect, boats are magnets for mildew and all sorts of algae and water species. Although regular cleaning can be annoying, it reduces the required maintenance time before a big family trip.
For example, you should use biodegradable products for live wells and storage compartments. As with your own home, avoid products that are too volatile. You can drain wastewater through drains on the bottom of live wells.
When it comes to storage areas, vacuuming will do the trick. Wet wipes can help with smudges and other stains. As for the gunnel storage, put everything inside without any lines or gear protruding outside.
Last Tips
Anyways, we always recommend that you do your maintenance well ahead of the season. Don’t be lazy; clean your boat when you have spare time, and check the vital equipment. When unsure about something, check the manual or contact the local expert.
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