Basic Boat Maintenance Tips
Your boat offers you a rewarding way to spend time in nature with friends and family or on your own. No matter what you do with your boat, you’re sure to lower your stress levels and enjoy your time out on the water. However, your boat can’t give you all these benefits if you don’t take good care of it. Here are some basic maintenance tips for boaters so that you can ensure your vessel never lets you down.
Keep It Clean
Cleaning your boat regularly helps to prevent corrosion and build-up. A clean boat is not just nicer to ride in, but it’s also easier to maintain, since you can see everything more clearly. Rinsing your boat after each boat trip, whether you were in freshwater or saltwater, is a good habit to get into to prevent build-up on the hull.
Change & Top Up Fluids
You’ll have to top up the fluids in your boat’s engine, including oil, coolant, and fuel. Check the condition of your oil regularly and change it on a regular basis. If you ever find water in your fuel or oil, you should get your boat into a repair shop to see whether the engine has been damaged.
Inspect Belts & Hoses
The belts and hoses in your engine help your boat to run efficiently, so keep an eye on these items. Inspect the hoses for signs of leakage or loose connections. Check the belts for cracks or excess wear that could require replacement.
Test Your Battery
The battery on your boat will last longer if you check on it. You should make sure that the terminals aren’t corroded or crusty and that the connections are secure. If you’re leaving your boat in storage for any length of time, it’s a good idea to to take the battery out and place it on a tender charger in a warm, dry area. This will prevent the battery from dying in storage, requiring an expensive and premature replacement.
Need some assistance with boat repair? Get in touch with the Island Watersports service department via our website or phone to schedule an appointment with us. We can help you address whatever problems you’re having and get you back out on the water quickly.
Looking to buy a boat? Stop by our Fenwick Island, DE, location today to view our stock of new and used boats for sale. You can also discuss your boat financing options with our sales staff. Island Watersports also serves our customers in Ocean City and Salisbury, MD.