Signs You Need a Boat Repair Service
Owning a boat means you have great times out on the water with the wind in your hair and the sun on your back. But it also means you have not so great times inspecting, maintaining, and fixing various parts of your boat as well.
It’s also not such a great time if you get stuck out on the water for hours because of a problem with your boat.
Boat maintenance and repair is a key part of being a boat owner. You need to be inspecting your boat regularly, looking for areas that might need repairs, upgrades, or quick fixes.
Certain things have quick fixes, but there are certain signs you should look for that tell you that your boat needs boat repair services.
We’ve compiled a list of 7 signs that you need to take your boat in for repairs so you won’t risk further damage and huge repair bills.
1. Steering Problems
When your boat won’t steer properly, that’s a major sign you need repairs. It could be that the wheel won’t turn at all, as though it is stuck in its current position. Or, you could find that it’s very hard to turn.
Either way, this is a sign of a major issue. For starters, it could simply be that you are low on hydraulic fluid. You can try to add fluid to see if that fixes the problem.
If you try this and you’re still experiencing the steering issues, the problem is likely caused by a leak in the steering system’s hydraulic fuel lines. This will require repairs.
If you find you aren’t able to turn at all, there are a few issues that could be happening. One would be a mechanical failure, like a loose connection or a failure of the cable system controlling the steering.
The bottom line is, if you notice steering issues or failure, then it’s a good idea to go in for some boat repair services.
2. Overheated Engine
Most boats use the water around it to cool down the boat’s engine via a pump instead of using a radiator like other types of vehicles do. So when part of this cooling loop fails, you’ll start to see your engine’s temperature rise, which will eventually result in the engine overheating.
While this sometimes can be caused by blockages from debris, it can also be a sign of a more serious issue. You could have a broken drive belt, a break in a hose, a loose clamp, clogging, corrosion, a broken/breaking impeller, or just an old, overused engine.
Getting rid of debris blocking the water-cooling loop is a quick fix for you. But if that’s not the problem, you could be looking at repairs that should be done by a professional.
If you start to have overheating problems with your engine, it’s a sign that you need to see a boat repair specialist. An overheated engine can be dangerous; get it checked out as soon as possible.
3. Broken Drive Belt
We mentioned that one of the causes of an overheated engine could be a broken drive belt. However, an overheated engine isn’t the only thing that can happen with a broken drive belt, which is why it’s a major sign you need boat repair services.
The drive belt can cause the engine to overheat and also result in the alternator not charging properly. It might be hard to tell whether the drive belt has broken because you likely won’t be able to hear it snap or break.
But if you notice the engine temperature rising and the voltage meter telling you the alternator’s not charging, then those are pretty definite signs you’ve got an issue.
This will need repair or replacement.
4. Sputtering Power or Complete Loss of Power
Feeling your boat slow to a stop when it should be going full steam ahead causes all boater’s hearts to sink to their stomachs. While oftentimes this can be attributed to simply running out of gas (it happens to everyone at some point, trust us), it can also be a serious sign that you have a boat problem and need repair services ASAP.
You might have a problem with your filters, which could need replacement or at least a removal of debris and accumulated dirt/sediments. It could also be a spark plug issue, which would also require boat repair services.
While those are the most common issues, there are many other issues that can lead to a loss of power. It could range from simply running out of gas to having a complicated electrical issue.
If you notice that you are losing power, or have completely lost power, it’s a major sign you need repair on one or more areas of your boat.
5. The Boat Won’t Start
Imagine this: you’re all ready to go out on the water, you turn the key, and nothing happens. The boat won’t start, and your perfect fishing day is off to a pretty bad beginning.
As with many of the other signs we’ve mentioned, this could be caused by a number of different things. You could have:
- A dead battery
- No fuel
- A faulty connection
- Fuel line issues
- Filter problems
- Dirty ignition points
- A faulty switch
- A disconnected kill switch
- Rotor problems
These are just a few of the seemingly endless reasons why your boat won’t start. There are some simple things you could try for yourself to see if you can get it up and running, like making sure you have fuel and tightening up a few screws.
But it would take many, many hours to check everything yourself. Feasibly, you won’t be able to check every possible cause yourself anyway.
A boat repair service is your best option when this problem arises; they will be able to diagnose the issue and fix it for you quickly and properly.
6. Water Leaks
All boats will take on some water, but this is usually expelled by a bilge pump. If you notice that you’re taking on significantly more water without getting rid of it, you need boat repair.
This could be happening because of a hole or some damage from underwater debris or rocks. Or it could be because of a burst/broken hose in either the exhaust or the cooling system.
These types of leaks can cause major damage to your engine, which could cause your boat to lose power. Depending on the intensity of the leak and the amount of water you notice rising in your boat, this problem could even sink your boat.
Avoid major damage by getting your boat in to see a repair service as soon as you notice any increase in the water you’re taking on.
7. You Feel Intense Vibration
A little vibration from the engine and the prop is normal. What’s not normal is when it is intense vibration or vibration that intensifies as you try and go faster.
This issue is almost definitely a propeller issue. When the blades are damaged, it causes issues with the balance, which will result in the intense vibration you’ve been noticing. Things that can cause this imbalance is when rope, fishing line, or other debris get tangled in the prop or when the prop hits something that deforms the metal.
This type of damage isn’t always visible, so it’s a good idea to take it to be looked at by a professional to see exactly what is causing the propeller to not work properly.
If this issue isn’t taken care of, it can cause serious and permanent damage. It can also cause you to lose power if it isn’t fixed.
Keep Your Boat Safe and Functional With Boat Repair Services
Each of these signs seems pretty straightforward, but what causes these things to happen can be varied and complicated. If you notice any one of these signs, it’s always a good idea to take your boat to a professional to be looked at. They will be able to easily diagnose the issue and get you back on the water in no time.
While these 7 signs are major indicators that you need boat repair, as a boat owner you should be constantly observing and be aware of your boat. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, like a different noise, smell, or feel, then it can’t hurt to have it looked at.
If you have any other questions or want more information about boat repair, boat maintenance, or general boat ownership, feel free to contact us or check out our blog for other boat related articles.