Simple Ways to Keep Your Family Boat in Excellent Condition
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Proper boat maintenance is one of the most vital skills you’ll ever learn. A boat differs from a car, and if you’re not using a full-service marina, you will need consistent watchfulness and care to keep it safe, sleek, and functioning correctly. Here are six of the top boat maintenance ideas to help you take good care of your family boat.
Always Check the Engine Before Going Out
Boat engines require careful maintenance, particularly before going out for an excursion. Before using your boat, follow a checklist to ensure your engine is ready for the journey. Check the hoses and bilge for any sign of leaks; check the water coolant levels and check the fuel levels as well. Never go out without sufficient fuel, or else you risk being stuck in the water. Ensure you have sufficient oil in the reservoir, and when using the boat, check the voltmeters and oil pressure to ensure everything is running properly. You can also use this time to check your wiring. If you discover a problem with a particular part of your outboard motor, consult a reputable dealer for mercury outboard parts for your boat.
Maintain Your Gelcoat Using the Right Materials
Give the gelcoat on your boat the right maintenance to continue to protect it. Although gelcoats are strong, applying the wrong cleaners can stain or dissolve them. These products are usually specially designed to remove typical bacteria and dirt that build up. Some products are also specifically designed for particular types of water use. So choose the correct boat cleaners and use them regularly. When the gel coat is strong, you can eliminate most stains with gentle buffing. But if it wears down, you may not remove all stains. Thus, you need to protect it from the start.
Wash Using Fresh Water
During a normal season, your regular boat maintenance regimen must include washing down your boat after using it twice on the water. This will help clean the boat surface and eliminate typical mud and dirt build-up, which will simplify your off-season cleaning tasks. When bathing your boat, ensure you use fresh water always. For most surfaces, spraying the boat using a hose will suffice. To wash out any difficult areas, use fresh tap water in a pail and apply some cleaning soap using a rag for spot cleaning. Be very keen about the quality of water you use. Most tap water will do, however, beware of minerals and chemicals that may damage the surface of your boat.
Understand Your Oil Schedule
Know the particular oil requirements of your boat because they differ depending on the type and model of the engine. Change the oil as required. The simplest way is to take your boat to a certified dealer and let them help you change the oil. But if you’re ready to get your hands dirty, you can change it yourself using an oil wrench, extractor pump, and time in your hands to work and clean up. However, it takes some practice to learn the process because boats also need a stream of water running through the water intake while changing the oil. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t try it.
Clean and Check the Batteries
Over time, batteries deteriorate even when you are not using them. Power drains and leaks occur from regular entropy. Ignoring these issues might land you in trouble and you might find yourself stuck in the open water without powered controls or lights. Regular boat maintenance should include a battery check at least once every season. Use a voltmeter to check how much of the charge is left. Find out ahead of time how much charge your battery consumes during a particular season. To be safe, replace every battery that is running low. Also, check any battery terminals. Clean these terminals so you’re sure the current will flow where it’s needed the most.
Maintain the Deck
Though not vital to the operation of your boat, do regular maintenance on the deck, foredeck area, and deck area. Wipe down and rinse the deck and foredeck after every outing. Remember to give it a thorough cleaning at least once a month or after every few weeks during the boating season for best results. You will also need to wipe down your boat’s seating area and dashboard after every use. The best way to keep the vinyl in top condition and make it last for years is to give it consistent maintenance. To keep your boat looking superb, protect it using a boat cover when moored or docked. Then your boat will be in excellent condition and ready to go whenever you need to use it.
Conclusion
Doing regular boat maintenance with the above tips will ensure your family boat lasts long and remains in top condition. It also means you are exercising many aspects of boating precaution and safety, not just for you and those on board, but for other people on the water as well.
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