The Complete Guide to Regular Boat Maintenance
A boat can be your ticket to freedom. Boat owners know that spending time on the water is one of life’s simple joys. Unfortunately, maintaining a boat is anything but simple.
Boat maintenance is an integral part of owning any sort of watercraft. This guide will help simplify boat care into an easy to understand process. That way you can get back to enjoying your boat in action.
Aesthetic Boat Care
Aesthetic boat care pertains to any sort of non-mechanical boat maintenance. It involves cleaning a boat, hull maintenance, and anything regarding the proper storage of a boat.
After each use, it is important to rinse and wash your boat. This prevents corrosion and also keeps your boat looking beautiful. It also removes any invasive species if you are transporting your boat from one body of water to another.
From time to time it is also important to scrape, wax, and polish your boat’s hull. This improves performance and maintains the durability of your craft. Make sure to cover your boat when storing it to prevent degradation caused by the elements.
Having a proper boat maintenance schedule ensures that you avoid mistakes during the boat care process. Do some research on the specifics of your craft and create a solid maintenance schedule early on.
Mechanical Boat Maintenance
This pertains to the care of any sort of mechanical system that your boat possesses. From the engine to the transmission, to the propeller, to the steering system everything has its own specific maintenance requirements.
Your owner’s manual can provide you an in-depth look at what it takes to maintain all of the mechanical systems on your boat.
A basic overview involves changing the oil at regular intervals, replacing worn components, and keeping everything lubricated. You also want to make sure your fluid levels are topped off and changed at the appropriate time.
Fuel filters should be checked and replaced when necessary. You should also test your bilge pump system from time to time to make sure that it won’t fail when you need it. Make sure to flush your engine system after each use.
Check all electronic systems often to ensure that they are functioning well. This includes your battery and all electrical lines. Your fire-extinguisher and other emergency devices should also be inspected often to ensure their integrity.
Ensure the structural soundness of your boat by tightening all components, brackets, and mountings when needed. The more you inspect your boat, the safer it will be on the water.
Take to the Water
As you develop your capabilities as a waterman, you will also develop your boat maintenance habits. Only then can you keep your vessel functioning in proper order for many years to come.
Don’t neglect your maintenance schedule. To do so is a folly that could ruin your boat and cost you your life. For all of your other news and information, make sure to check out the rest of our website!
