Cleaning
Being in water doesn’t mean your boat will get clean on its own! Saltwater can be really harsh on your boat, so don’t underestimate corrosion. It can mar fasteners and metal if you don’t rinse it with fresh water after an outing. The best way to clean a gel coat is with marine wash applied with a soft-bristle, long-handled brush.
Oil Changes
Another thing you must always have in mind is oil changes. The frequency of oil changes depends on the model, of course, but an active boater should do it at least once a year. Every hundred hours of boating requires an oil change. You can either do it yourself or go to your dealer, because there are no quick shops for this procedure.
First of all, you’ll need to warm the boat up by starting the engine. If it’s on a trailer, the water intake at the gear case must be cooled. This can be done with so-called “earmuffs,” which consist of a V-shaped piece of tubing with two suction cups on it. You can find these on Amazon for less than $20. The hose fitting, which is located at the Vee, will supply the water to the engine. This is necessary in order to properly change the oil afterwards.
As the second step, you will slide the oil extractor all the way into the dipstick tube until it stops. Now you can pump the oil out safely.
You can remove the oil filter with a wrench while holding a rag around it to catch any drops of oil. The engine is ready to be filled with new oil once the dipstick is replaced. Marine grade oil is essential for the engine, so make sure that you use the right grade.
Propeller Checks
Checking the propeller must be part of the preparation routine if you have a stern drive or an outboard boat. Remove the propeller a few times each season using a deep well socket. This will prevent the discarded fishing line from getting wrapped around the shaft. While the propeller is off, you can inspect for damage signs such as dents and nicks.
Finally, to prevent corrosion on the propeller shaft, apply a generous amount of waterproof grease. The hardware and the propeller must be re-installed in the order they were taken off.
Owning a boat is not just about having fun. Proper maintenance is necessary in order to guarantee the safety of everyone onboard. The aforementioned tips are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, and if you’re not sure how to do them, it is best to ask professionals for help with regular motor boat maintenance.