Basic Boat Maintenance Tips

You take pride in your boat, so no matter what type you own, it’s very important to ensure its longevity and keep it performing well. The only way to do this is through regular maintenance, and while most tasks are best left to professionals at the shop, there are a few simple DIY tasks you can easily perform yourself.

Washing

Washing your boat is a verysimple practice, but it can go a long way in preventing long-term damage. On top of that, it makes your boat look good, and who doesn’t want a nice-looking boat? After saltwater rides, it’s very important that you rinse off the hull with fresh water. Salt and other corrosive particles wear away paint, but they can also dig into the frame and wear down your boat’s hardware. You don’t want this to happen, and it doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes to rinse it off. But even if you don’t ride in saltwater, it’s important to give your boat a thorough scrub and rinse regularly.

Oil Changes

It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle or engine you have — good quality oil is one of the most important factors in keeping the engine healthy. Whether you have an inboard, outboard, or sterndrive, the same applies to a boat. Each of these motors uses internal combustion, and in order to keep the parts from grinding together, you have to keep clean oil in the reservoir at all times. That’s why we recommend checking the oil before every trip. If it’s low, you’ll obviously want to top it off with oil that meets the manufacturer’s specifications.

Make sure you’re performing oil changes every time the fluid starts looking too thick or dirty. Overly viscous oil won’t lubricate the internal engine components properly, so it’s best to keep fresh oil in your motor whenever possible.

Propeller Inspection

Finally, for those of you with outboard or sterndrive boats, you’ll need to inspect the propeller before every launch. When it’s not running, you can remove the propeller with a deep well socket. Once this is done, check to ensure there’s no loose fishing line wrapped around the shaft. If you notice this, bring it to our service department, because discarded fishing line can create leaks in the gear case, and fixing that requires professional work.

However, what you can easily do yourself is keep an eye out for any obvious damage on the propeller. If there are scratches, dents, or chunks missing, you’ll want to get it in for repairs before using it again.

Regular maintenance will keep your boat running well for years to come, so don’t hesitate to implement these basic tasks into your regular boating routine. If you have any further questions, need parts and repairs, or want to check out our inventory, visit us at Mt. Houston Marine. You’ll find us conveniently located in Houston, TX, and we also serve The Woodlands.