5 Boat Maintenance Tips that Will Ensure Safety

Boat maintenance is not different from automobile maintenance. The only variation you find in a boat is the mechanical design and the purpose of making it function. It would be best if you regularly serviced your boat to keep the engine healthy and prevent a breakdown in the middle of mass waters.

They are basic items that you need to check regularly and others that require professional attention at a given period. If you are a regular user of the boat, you may be required to change some items during maintenance. And to cut on cost, you can go for things such as used gearboxes that play a major role in the functioning of your boat than a brand new one. Even as you focus on your boat maintenance, the core areas to consider the most are:

• Canvass & Upholstery
• Electrical systems
• Boat engine
• Plumbing & HVAC
• The boat topsides & bottom

The above areas are important to pay much attention, and below we are going to dive into a detailed maintenance process.

Check Your Oil Often

Oil is essential in running your boat, and checking its oil level quite often, may help keep the engine in good condition. You need to check the oil color to know whether it’s used up. Normally, when it turns dark in color, which is a signal to change it. But, when you see it display milky appearance, which is not a good sign, you need to consult a professional before causing you a serious problem.

Be Keen on the Engine

Do not neglect to check the condition of your boat engine constantly. Failure to do that may stall the engine at an unexpected location or cost you more to fix it. The critical areas of your engine are to check the level of oil and to see how the engine is performing; you can give it some top-up to allow the engine run not only stronger, but longer as well.

It is advisable to change or check the condition of your boat oil after covering between 50 to 100 running hours. Also, check the type of oil you use and how frequently you change it.

If you are using the modern type of boat, then checking oil levels or leaks is easy. Make sure you lubricate all boat moving parts using something anti-corrosive. Remember to inspect the condition of clamps and fuel lines for corrosion issues as you continue to check.

Battery

The battery is the most fragile part of your boat and may cause you lots of headaches if not properly handled. In fact, the majority of boat incidents are as a result of a flat battery. To avoid such incidents, you need to inspect the battery charge before starting the ignition. Make sure the battery is topped up, and distilled water is at its desired level. Last but not least is to check the connectors and whether they are loose or corroded.

Clean Your Boat Regularly

Not all days are summer, and your boat will, from time to time, require you to clean it from mold, mildew, dirt, and clutter that accumulate easily. Keeping your boat clean lengthens its life and provides you with long service. You can use a biodegradable solution to clean compartments and other areas after using it for some time.

Check Joints and Connections

Since your boat spends most of the time in the water, wear and tear are inevitable. Going through your boat to a maximum of 4 times per year would prevent unforeseen problems and help you fix on time. You should also check the health of the ropes, and in case they are damaged, you have them replaced.

Boat maintenance should never be a daunting task, especially if you use it often. You only need to create a checklist of the item you need to maintain every year and making sure you prioritize the important parts first. Check the lights, rails, fenders, lines, and the hardware part routinely, and you will enjoy the service the boat continues to give you with no or fewer hiccups.