How to Keep a Boat Maintained? - Tips to Properly Care For Your Boat

 Boat maintenance, as a whole, is actually quite similar to automobile maintenance. There are a few very basic items that require constant maintenance which the owner normally takes care of, and a few items that require maintenance at regular intervals which some owners deal with but most people leave to the professionals. 

Boat Maintenance Checklist:

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• Engine(s)
• The boat’s hull (bottom) and topsides
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing and HVAC systems (in larger boats)
• Moving parts (like hinges, tracks, and zippers)
• Canvass and upholstery

Here are more boat maintenance tips to apply regularly:

• Replace spark plugs as needed.
• Regularly check for water in the fuel.
• Keep an eye on the engine's oil level.
• Check the fuel lines for cracks and wear.
• Check the propeller and engine belts for wear, and replace them as needed.
• Replace damaged fuel hoses.

Boat Service and Repair Cost

When you service provider digs into more serious maintenance, obviously, the bill goes up a bit. You may also have to plan for the time and expense of hauling the boat and getting it to the dealership. Still, at least early in a boat’s life these expanses are usually minor. Oil changes for an average-sized outboard commonly do run more than the cost of an oil change for an automobile, but rarely twice as much.

If you’ve decided to leave this sort of maintenance work to the pros, you may be wondering: “where can I get professional boat maintenance near me?” The good news is that most dealerships that sell boats also service them, and in areas where boating is popular, you should have no problem whatsoever finding a shop that can do the maintenance work on your boat and motor.

What supplied are required to maintain the boat?

You can get away with owning just a few supplies and tools to practice basic boat maintenance. Otherwise, you may have to find tools for specific projects or more involved repairs. Here are some items to have on hand:

• Tools such as a pair of pliers, an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver to make minor repairs
• Long-handled brush or spray wand to wash the boat
• Soap designed for boats
• Anti-corrosive for lubricating moving parts
• Digital multimeter
• Motor flusher
• Small wire brush for cleaning

Tips for Boat Maintenance

Fiberglass and gelcoat, which needs to be regularly cleaned, waxed, and polished for both protective and cosmetic purposes. Not only will keeping your gel coat shiny make your boat look good, but it will also prevent oxidation, which makes fiberglass dull and chalky.

Marine canvas and Eisinglass or Strataglass, which deteriorate quickly without proper treatment. You'll need to regularly use the correct polishes and protectants, or canvas will grow leaky and clear canvas will become cloudy.

Upholstery and vinyls found on boats. These need to be cleaned several times a season—but if you use the wrong type of cleaner, you can accidentally destroy the materials in a single season.

Brightwork, which includes all wood surfaces and trims that are exposed to UV rays. They require quite a bit of upkeep, to keep them in good shape. We'll show you how to refinish dull-looking wood, and describe the seasonal maintenance you'll need to do every spring.

Keep an eye on Boat Engines - 

Many outboards nowadays are built so you can check and change the oil quickly and easy. Once this is done, and with the engine’s cowling already off, it never hurts to:

• Check for fuel or oil leaks. If something looks suspicious, contact your local boat repair shop or call the engine manufacturer for recommendations.
• Lubricate all moving parts with an anti-corrosive.
• Inspect all lines and hoses for wear.
• Check clamps and fuel lines for corrosion.

Additionally, your outboard should be well-secured to the transom. Constant use during the season can potentially loosen hardware and misalign the outboard. Check that all bolts are secure, and tighten things up as needed.