On Open Waters: 7 Boat Maintenance Tips You Need to Know

Did you know that boating is good for your health? Start bringing your family out on the water. If you want to learn how to take care of a boat, we can help.

In this guide, we’ll go over some straightforward tips on boat maintenance. You want to keep your boat in good shape, so you can enjoy many years on the water.

Want to learn more? Keep reading.

1. Choose a Dry Storage Area

Make sure you have one dedicated space for dry storage. It’s challenging to keep things dry, but give it a shot.

Keep your essential items in dry storage. Place clothing, water toys, and lifejackets there too.

Anything that’s prone to mold, mildew, or water retention should go in the dry storage spot.

Make sure you dry the water toys, towels, and lifejackets before putting them back.

2. Keep Your Boat Clean

Dirt, mold, and mildew will accumulate fast on a boat. Make sure you keep cleaning your boat.

Look at cleaning the storage compartments so you can eliminate any possibilities of mold.

Wipe up any spills right away. Pick a dedicated spot where you throw away trash. Remove the garbage after boating trips so you can keep your boat clean.

3. Maintain the Engine

One of the most critical maintenance tips is taking care of your boat’s engine. Keep your engine in top condition so you can save yourself and your family.

A lot of boat engines need service every hundred hours or once a year. Check your owner’s manual to get specific information about your engine.

Annual maintenance could include a filter and oil change, and drainage. Also, the technician might replace the engine lubricant.

You might need a new belt or spark plugs. But the technician will complete an overall inspection.

Boat owners might only choose to complete maintenance at the end of the season. Yet, if you use your boat year-round, you should look at getting the service done more often.

The services aren’t cheap. Make it a priority to complete annual maintenance. Between the visit, you should also inspect the engine. Look for issues like a cracked hose. Make sure you check the oil and top it off.

Do you use your boat on saltwater? Don’t forget to check the propeller and make sure there aren’t any bent blades, debris, or cracks. Flush the engine with fresh water after boating every time.

4. What About the Hull?

The hull is what keeps you afloat and is the body of the boat. You need to make sure you maintain the hull. A clean hull will look nice, but it also rides better in the water.

Does your boat have a fiberglass hull? Keep it maintained by washing it after you use it each time.

You should also look at waxing and polishing the boat. Try to use non-toxic materials if possible. You don’t want to add pollution to the water.

A lot of boat owners tend to wax and polish the hull of the boat twice a year. They tend to do this in spring and before they put the boat in storage.

Check your hull for any wear and tear or cracks. You can address the problem before it turns into a significant and expensive repair.

5. Plumbing and Electrical Maintenance

Maintaining your boat’s battery is another critical element of boat maintenance. Your battery will start your engine and run other electrical parts.

Like an automotive battery, make sure you check your boat battery’s power and charge it a few times a year. Batteries will degrade over time.

Does your boat have running water? Replace the battery once every few years if you use your boat a lot. You might need to complete regular plumbing maintenance too.

An onboard bathroom could get plugged. The frequency can get reduced if you maintain the plumbing well.

Does your boat have a bilge pump? Make sure it’s in good working order; otherwise, your boat could sink. Check the bilge pump a few times a year. Look for clogs or faulty hoses. Add a second bilge pump.

6. What About Deck Maintenance?

Perform regular maintenance on the deck area, foredeck, and deck. Rinse and wipe down the foredeck and deck after you use your boat.

You should also look at scrubbing the boat a few times a month during a busy boat season.

Consider wiping down the dashboard and seating areas after you use them. When you maintain the vinyl, you’ll keep it in good shape. Make sure you use a marine-grade vinyl cleaner to get rid of any stains.

You could also pick up a boat cover when it’s moored or docked. Your boat will be in great shape and ready to go.

7. Maintain Your Boat’s Value

You should look at maintaining your boat well. This way, you can keep your boat in good shape and avoid any potentially expensive repairs. Complete the above tasks, especially during a busy boating season.

Look at getting a good cleaning product that’s non-toxic. If you don’t have time to complete regular boat maintenance work, look at hiring a boat technician. Learn about boat detailing.

Don’t Forget About Boat Maintenance

We hope this guide on boat maintenance was helpful. Make sure you change the oil, clean the hull, and maintain the engine often. During a busier boating season, you should complete regular maintenance work.

Are you looking for more lifestyle tips? Check out our resources on the blog.