Three Best Tips for Proper Boat Maintenance
How you care for your boat can make a huge difference in the overall quality of your boating experience. Regular care and attention to the state of your boat will allow you to add more miles and years to your boat’s life — which means more opportunities for you to enjoy the boat life.
Ultimately, putting in a little extra time and elbow grease will go a long way in keeping your boat seaworthy for years to come. Here are the three best ways you can keep your boat in tip-top shape.
- Rinse, Wash, Repeat
Since the majority of the waterways in the Lowcountry are saltwater, it is important to rinse and wash your boat regularly. When left on for too long, salt can corrode the metal on your boat and cause a lot of damage. Anytime you take your boat out on saltwater, be sure to immediately rinse with fresh water upon your return.
To clean your boat’s exterior, use a long-handle, soft-bristle boat brush and quality soap. Marine boat wash is the best soap to use, followed by car wash soap. Be sure to rinse your boat first before you begin scrubbing. Wash it from top to bottom and scrub and rinse sections at a time, never all at once, as portions may dry before you can get to them and mess up your boat’s paint.
For upholstery and vinyl, make sure you find the right type of cleaner for your specific material, as the wrong cleaner can cause a lot of damage to your interior over the course of a single season.
- Change the Oil
Just like your car needs oil to function properly, so does your boat. How often you need to change your boat’s oil varies by model, but a good rule of thumb is to change the oil at least once a year or every 100 hours of operation.
While you can change the oil yourself, it is easier and quicker to take it to your dealer’s service center. When they change your oil, they can also give your boat a quick once-over to see if there are any other maintenance or mechanical issues that need to be addressed.
- Check the Propeller
If you have an outboard or stern drive boat, you should always check your propeller as part of your routine before you take it out on the water. Keep an eye out for nicks, dents or other signs of impact. Even a small ding can cause your boat to burn excessive fuel and not perform as well as it should.
For other boat models, this propeller check should occur several times during the season to ensure your boat runs properly.
To get a good look, remove your propeller with a deep socket wrench. After you’ve inspected for damage, put a liberal amount of waterproof grease on the propeller shaft and reinstall the propeller and hardware in the same order you took them off. Then, tighten the propeller nut.
If any of these tips make your head spin or your palms sweat, speak to your dealer about how to properly care for your boat. They will be able to walk you through all the steps and help you find the right materials for your specific boat.
Schedule your boat check-up with our service center today and get ready to enjoy life on the water!