When you reach for the keys to the boat, you want to make sure it’s in top condition and ready to hit the water. To ensure your vessel remains top-notch, the best advice is to properly maintain your boat. Boat maintenance is quite similar to car maintenance. While there are a few things you can do at home to help with boat maintenance, there are also mechanical requirements that will need to be conducted by a professional. Below, we’ve put together a basic boat maintenance checklist:
Boat maintenance checklist
When it comes to boat maintenance, there are a number of items to tick off your checklist on a regular basis. These are the ones most boaties consider top priority:
- Engine
- The boat’s hull and topsides
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing and HVAC systems
- Moving parts – hinges, tracks, and zippers
- Canvass and upholstery
Clean the exterior
When maintaining your boat, it’s vitally important to keep things clean and well-lubricated where necessary. A basic boat hull maintenance chore with any fibreglass boat is washing and waxing. This eliminates dirt that sits on canvass and upholstery, which can lead to mould and mildew attaching and growing. Cleaning and lubricating your boat after a day out on the water is the most important chore and one you want to make sure you remember to do.
Properly store your boat
Proper storage is critical to protecting your boat. Weather-related damage, whether from the sun during the summer months, or wet weather during the cooler months, can quickly devalue your vessel. While you can always store your boat outside, ensure it’s always covered to protect it from the elements. However indoor storage is the best option for your boat, as it protects your boat from the elements all year round, no matter what the weather. If you don’t have enough storage at home in your garage or shed, you might want to consider hiring a permanent storage shed. Somewhere that allows 24-hour access so you can come and go as you please.
Home maintenance you can do yourself
- Properly clean your boat.
- Replace cracked hoses.
- Lubricate spark plug holes.
- Replace inline fuel filters.
- Fill the tank to at least 90% and add anti-bacterial stabilizing agents to the fuel.
- Disconnect the battery and store it in a cool, ventilated area.
- Remove all food, carpets and electronics.
- Clean the propeller and shaft and inspect them for damage.
- Apply grease to the shaft.
- Open the drain plugs to allow precipitation to drain out.
- Leave water faucets and valves open.
- If the boat has a refrigerator, keep the door open.
- Flush the engine, water lines and water tanks with fresh water to remove the salt.
- Top off the antifreeze.
Ready to buy?
Haven’t quite found the boat you’re looking for? Are you still hunting for the perfect vessel? Your local boat dealer is a great place to start the search! For trailer boats customized to suit your needs, look no further than Wyld About Boats. Check out our range online. Or drop in and take a look around our showroom. We’re conveniently located at 3 Demand Avenue, Arundel. Phone us on 07 55 63 2223 to arrange an inspection today.
