10 Boat Maintenance Tips You Should Know

 

A boat is a ticket to a summer-long adventure if you happen to live near a large body of water. A boat represents freedom on the open water. It can get you outdoors during times of the year that you wouldn’t otherwise think about on a typical day.

 

That is why proper boat maintenance is essential to keep a boat running long and healthy. All boats take a beating under normal to heavy use. Depending on the type of water and weather conditions, they can face any number of things that will threaten to sink or ground them if you don’t take care of the necessary things.

 

Thankfully, boat maintenance is easy with a little bit of knowledge and practice. Knowing what to look for and how to take care of things will go a long way towards helping you do just that. Read on for ten of the most important boat maintenance tips all boat owners need to be aware of.

 

Inspect Often

 

It’s tempting to assume your boat is going to run perfectly each and every time you take it out on the water. Most people make this assumption after they have bought a new boat or have given it a periodic maintenance or upgrade. Unfortunately, problems can creep up anytime.

 

It’s good to get in the habit of inspecting your boat regularly. Some inspections should be done more frequently than others. For example, you can easily give your boat a quick look over to inspect the hull for any visual issues before taking it out. This should be done everytime you use it.

 

Less frequent inspections can include checking the wiring, motor, pumps, controls, and fluids at least once a season before you start using the boat on a regular basis. An inspection will help you identify what kind of boat maintenance is required while keeping any major issues from occurring in the first place.

 

Clean And Check Batteries

 

Batteries tend to degrade over time, even if you aren’t using them. Power drains and leaks develop from regular entropy. If you ignore these issues, you might find yourself stuck out on the open water without lights or powered controls.

 

Regular boat maintenance includes a battery check at least once a season. You can test batteries with a voltage meter to determine how much of a charge is left. Research ahead of time how much charge your batteries usually use during a given season. To play it safe, replace any batteries that may be running low.

 

Also, take a look at any connections to the batteries. Clean these connections so you know the electrical juice will get to where it’s needed the most.

 

Use Marine Cleaning Products

 

A good cleaning will keep your boat looking shiny and new. More importantly, it will keep the hull in good shape for a lot longer. This is especially true for boats used in salt water.

 

When it comes time to clean your boat, proper cleaning products are important since they won’t damage any surfaces. These products are often specially designed to clean typical dirt and bacteria that builds up over time. Some products will also be specifically meant for certain types of water use.

 

Use Fresh Water

 

During the normal season, your typical boat maintenance should include washing your boat down after one or two times on the water. This will help clean the surface of typical dirt and mud buildup while making off-season cleaning easier.

 

Make sure to use fresh water anytime you are essentially giving your boat a bath. Spray the boat from the hose for most surfaces. Use fresh tap water in a bucket, along with some cleaning soap, to wash out any difficult areas as a way to spot clean.

 

Be careful with the quality of water you use. Most tap water is okay, but be aware of chemicals and minerals that may damage your boat’s surface.

 

Check Electrical Lines

 

Much like the batteries, a boat’s electrical lines will degrade over time. Dirt and mud are common causes, along with physical damage. Boat maintenance should include a somewhat frequent inspection of these lines, plus any necessary replacement or repair.

 

Faulty electrical lines will often show up when something fails to work or turn on during normal boat operation. Anything not controlled through a mechanical system is susceptible to failure. Cleaning electrical lines is a good way to keep these issues from happening, but all lines will eventually need replacement.

 

A volt meter is another tool that’s useful for checking the health of these lines.

 

Clean Windows With Cleaner

 

A good window cleaner goes a long way when the windows get too dirty. Frequent cleaning should be on the boat maintenance checklist, especially for windows directly in the line of spray as the boat travels through the water. This includes most windows near the waterline and bow.

 

Specialty cleaners exist if you want to stay true to the boat’s needs. Some people find certain window household cleaners to work, but they tend to be hit or miss in their success. When in doubt, some trial and error should clue you into what works best for you and your boat’s needs.

 

Check Bilge Pumps

 

Boat maintenance is irrelevant if your boat sinks to the bottom of a lake or ocean. In order to prevent this from happening, a bilge pump is usually present to pump water out of a boat’s interior. During heavy weather or rough seas, these pumps can be the difference between life and death.

 

Like any other type of pump, bilges require periodic maintenance. Mechanical and electrical systems are prone to failure. In particular, debris and objects can sometimes get caught in a pump’s internal workings that could stop the flow of water outright.

 

You should test the pump before seasonal use to make sure everything is in working order. A failure to start or operate properly may indicate an electrical issue. Strange noises or a lack of pumping action may suggest a mechanical issue. In both cases, you may need to repair a faulty part or repair or replace the entire unit before taking the boat out.

 

 

Use Fiberglass Reconditioner

 

Fiberglass hulls generally can take a beating during normal use. Most problems occur over time when multiple strikes and debris hit the same area over and over, wearing down the hull’s integrity. Regular cleaning can help take off some of this build up and wear, but a fiberglass reconditioner takes it a step further.

 

Known as a fiberglass reconditioning compound, this will typically remove some of the oxidization stains and water marks that can damage a hull over time. Many compounds also create a protective coating around the hull that will deflect oil and water during normal use.

 

Add this step to your pre-season boat maintenance routine to protect your boat throughout the season.

 

Hire A Professional After Long Seasonal Use

 

Unless you are a professional mechanic or have years of boat maintenance experience, there is a good chance that you will eventually need a professional to look over the boat and address certain types of issues. This is particularly true when it comes time to fix and upgrade the more complex inner workings of the boat like its motors.

 

Professional mechanics often know how to address issues before they become a major problem. They’ll also help you protect the boat during the off season and fine tune your routine boat maintenance to cater to your boat’s specific needs.

 

When it comes time for the big repair or upgrade, feel free to shop around for different mechanic options. Take into account their experience, the services they offer, and what they charge. While it may be tempting to go with the most expensive mechanic, this isn’t always necessary or even wise.

 

Winterize

 

A lot of damage to most boats occurs during the off season. Boats love spring and summer months when there is no snow, ice, or cold temperatures to damage them. Depending on where you live, you may need to figure out how to properly winterize the boat to protect it from these common cold weather threats.

 

Some people choose to find indoor storage solutions or climate controlled interior docks to store their boats in for the winter. These solutions usually require regular fees or an upfront sum if you are converting a private dock for winter storage use. You may also find commercial products like tarps and backyard sheds if you typically store your boat on your own land.

 

Good Boat Maintenance

 

Proper boat maintenance will keep your boat happy and healthy for many years if done consistently and correctly. Most often, the biggest hurdle is just the motivation to take the necessary steps to maintain the watercraft.

 

If you don’t have your own routine down, there’s no time like the present. Summer is quickly approaching. That means most people will be gearing up for the summer water activities in short order. Get a jump start on that maintenance!

 

For extra boat tips, check out the rest of our blog.