How You Should Look after Your Boat on a Regular Basis
Posted on: 2 February 2017
You may love to spend the weekends on the open water in your own boat. While this may be no more than a pastime to you, it's still important to look after your boat carefully, just as you would with your car. What can you do on a regular basis, to take care of your investment?
Regular Washing
Given the fact that most of the Australian population lives within close proximity to the ocean, it's likely that your boat is going to come into contact with saltwater. This is why the most important maintenance task you can undertake on a regular basis is to wash it thoroughly. Salt will build up otherwise, and this residue has the capability of corroding a lot of the hardware and exposed metal. Not only that, but it can start to break down the gelcoat and paint as well.
Try to elevate the boat out of the water as often as possible and use a brush that's specially designed for cleaning boats with a soft bristle. Use some soap designed for marine applications if you can, but a good quality product that you use to wash your car can be second best.
Changing the Oil
You will need to change the oil in your boat engine, ideally twice per year. The frequency will be dictated by the type of engine that you have and will also be affected by the number of trips that you take. You will need to have a certain amount of tools though, such as an extractor pump that pulls the old oil out through the tube that you use to check the level. This can be quite a messy job, so be prepared to wrestle a little bit with the oil filter to get it off. You may also need to supply some cooling water to the gear case if you are planning to change the oil while it is out of the water. If the boat is sitting in the water when you do this, that won't be necessary.
Checking the Prop
On a regular basis, you should also check the boat's propeller and especially before you set out for your next trip. Occasionally, you will want to remove it to ensure that no foreign objects have been trapped around the propeller shaft. While it is off, have a look for any signs of damage to the propeller itself and schedule maintenance if you find any issues. Remember that the prop is an essential component and if it is out of sync, vibration can cause a lot of damage internally.
Peace of Mind
It's worth scheduling a visit to your marine specialist, for them to give your boat some servicing.
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