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This Is What You Need to Know About Boat Maintenance

Boat Maintenance

It’s summertime, the perfect weather for going out on your boat. With frequent trips out on the water, you must maintain your boat properly before and after your trip. Not sure where to start?

Keep reading to learn boat maintenance tips to keep things functioning great and have peace of mind when out on the water.

Pay Attention to the Engine

Nothing is worse than being out on the water, enjoying the beautiful day, and having engine trouble. This ruins a good time and can also be dangerous for you and your family. Before heading out, you should perform a routine inspection of your engine.

Start with checking the oil. You should top the levels off with more oil if the levels are low. You should do a total oil change every 50 to 100 running hours on your motor, paying attention to your owner’s manual for what type of oil to use.

After you have assessed the oil, you should also check all the lines and hoses for wear, lubricate all the moving parts with an anti-corrosive lubricant and check the fuel lines and clamps for corrosion.

When you return from your trip on the water, you should flush the engine with fresh water. This will help remove any build-up of salt crystals on the internal components if you are in salt water or dirt and debris when running through freshwater.

Maintain Your Prop

After you run through your engine maintenance checklist, you should check the prop. Start by checking the blades for any dings, dents, or nicks. If you have any damage to your prop, it can hinder the performance of your boat when moving through the water.

Check the shaft and hub of your prop for any debris or fishing lines that might be wrapped around it. Then make sure the shaft is greased, so the prop doesn’t corrode onto the shaft.

Clean Your Boat

You should thoroughly clean your boat at the end of your boating outing. Dirt, mildew, and clutter can happen easily, and if you keep on top of it you should be able to run through your clean routine quickly and efficiently each time.

If you spent the day fishing, clean out any live wells used to store your fish by flushing it out with clean water and then drying it before closing the lid. If any dry storage areas have accumulated dirt or debris, vacuum the area to avoid buildup. Gunnel storage should be double-checked for any loose gear or lines sticking out.

These boat cleaning tips will help you avoid common mistakes that new boat owners tend to make.

Learn More Boat Maintenance Tips Today!

These are basic boat maintenance tips you should follow every time you take your boat out on the water. Make sure you check the oil in the engine, that the lines are in good shape, and check your prop. Lastly, give your boat a good cleaning when you bring it back in, and you should have no problem keeping it well maintained.

For more great boating tips, be sure to visit our website daily!

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