The U.S. Coast Guard reported that boating accidents increased 26.3 percent from 2019 to 2020. One of the top five reasons for these accidents was mechanical failure. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that your boat is always in its best shape.
This article will help you do this by giving you 5 important boat maintenance tips. Read on to learn more.
- Check Your Engine
One of the most common boat care tips is to check your boat’s engine for damages. Experts recommend you should at least inspect it before each excursion. This is an excellent tip, as you don’t want to get stuck out in the middle of nowhere.
The first thing that you should check is your oil level. If it seems low, top it up. It’s also a good idea to lubricate any moving parts.
Your engine may also have sustained common damages. Check the lines and hoses for wear and the fuel lines and clamps for corrosion. If you find severe damage, visit a boat mechanic before any extensive excursions.
- Properly Store Your Boat
Your boat will be safest under proper shelter (Ideal Storage boat storage is a good option). This will keep your boat safe from damages it can accrue from weather conditions. If anything, keep your boat in indoor storage during the harshest seasons, such as winter.
If you can’t afford this, however, there are other ways to keep your boat protected. Consider using a tarp or cover to keep water, snow, and hail off your boat.
- Clean Your Boat
Frequent cleaning is one of the most effective ways of maintaining a boat. By doing this, you’re preventing a lot of the issues that could end up costing you a lot of money to repair.
For example, all types of boats require cleaning with a mild solution. There are many you can buy or you can make your own with vinegar. Doing this will kill off any mold spores before they grow.
- Protect Against Salt Water Damage
Lingering saltwater can corrode your boat’s components. For that reason, properly caring for a boat includes ridding it of excess saltwater.
One way to do this is to wipe down your boat frequently. Try to do this at least any time that it’s in dry storage. In addition, flush the engine with fresh water after each outing.
- Have Frequent Boat Inspections
Owning a boat doesn’t mean that you’re an expert in taking care of it. You can, of course, research all you can about boat repair and maintenance. However, you’re unlikely to perform as well as a mechanic with years of experience.
Therefore, have your boat inspected by a mechanic frequently. About once every year is probably your best minimum.
Did You Enjoy This Boat Maintenance Article?
As a final tip, consider creating your own boat maintenance checklist. You can include these tips and some of your own. Then, you can use this to help accomplish all the maintenance steps your boat needs.
Did you learn a lot from this article? If so, you’ll likely gain a lot more helpful info from our other works. We offer hundreds of pieces on pets, technology, and more.
Check them out!
