This article asks: what regular maintenance should be done on a boat? If you are a boat owner or thinking of buying a boat, you will want to be aware of the amount of maintenance you will need.
Why Boats Need To Be Maintained
Just like with cars, boats need regular maintenance too. It is required to ensure that the boat runs both safely and smoothly. If you give your boat proper care and upkeep, it is guaranteed that your vessel will last much longer. All the more time to create more memories, whether you are boating on a lake, river, or ocean.
The essential care your boat requires goes beyond just giving the vessel a visual inspection each time before heading out onto the waters. You should also give your boat some care after every outing.
This is on top of a regular boat maintenance schedule. Luckily, the majority of the boat maintenance and upkeep tasks are very manageable. This means that most boat owners will be able to carry out these tasks without the need to hire a professional.
However, if you do find yourself in a situation where some major repair works need to be done, or you just require some assistance, then we always recommend talking to the pros. You should never put your boat at risk. In the meantime, let this guide assist you with making the most of your vessel.
In this boat care guide, we will help you with all the basics of boat maintenance. We will explain why boat maintenance is so important, the easiest ways to maintain your boat and the vital areas of your boat that need to be maintained.
If you successfully take good care of your boat, then you can enjoy a day out on the water whenever the mood strikes you.
Why Boats Need To Be Maintained
Just like with cars, boats need regular maintenance too. It is required to ensure that the boat runs both safely and smoothly.
If you give your boat proper care and upkeep, it is guaranteed that your vessel will last much longer. All the more time to create more memories, whether you are boating on a lake, river, or ocean.
The essential care your boat requires goes beyond just giving the vessel a visual inspection each time before heading out onto the waters. You should also give your boat some care after every outing.
This is on top of a regular boat maintenance schedule. Luckily, the majority of the boat maintenance and upkeep tasks are very manageable.
This means that most boat owners will be able to carry out these tasks without the need to hire a professional.
However, if you do find yourself in a situation where some major repair works need to be done, or you just require some assistance, then we always recommend talking to the pros. You should never put your boat at risk.
In the meantime, let this guide assist you with making the most of your vessel.In this boat care guide, we will help you with all the basics of boat maintenance.
We will explain why boat maintenance is so important, the easiest ways to maintain your boat and the vital areas of your boat that need to be maintained. If you successfully take good care of your boat, then you can enjoy a day out on the water whenever the mood strikes you.
Boat Maintenance Checklist
Although this might just sound like a cosmetic choice, the regular cleaning of your boat's exterior will ensure that rust and erosion don't set in.
If you are travelling between waterways in your vessel, then cleaning the exterior can prevent any spreading of invasive plant species.
When out on the water, you always want to be as aware as possible at all times. The best way to do this is to make sure that all your gauges that present information on speed, fuel level, and more are all clean and readable.
This way, no surprises can occur.
Commonly, a boat's battery can be recharged as long as it is above the 20% capacity mark. Making sure your battery level has a consistent pulse is important, so you don't need to replace it more than needed.
Any boat owner knows that the propellor and skeg are essential parts of any boat. If the propellor becomes damaged, your boat will not go very far.
The same goes for the skeg. If damaged, it can have a highly negative effect on your ability to steer.
It is always smart to be vigilant when you are approaching the first plunge of the season. If you have a smaller boat, then leaks and malfunctions will be more apparent than with a large vessel.
Before you set out onto the water, take a little time to ensure that the boat is ready.
A boat's engine oil needs to be changed every fifty to one hundred hours. This usually translates to roughly one year.
Just like with the engine of a car, the hoses in a boat are usually made from rubber. This means that they can become brittle and crack over time.
Make sure you inspect all the boat's hoses and check for any wear. They must be replaced if broken or brittle.
This might seem incredibly obvious, but that doesn't mean it is not important. Filling up your vessel is easy to forget, so we recommend making a habit of checking your fuel before you make an outing.
We all know how complicated and temperamental electrical systems can be. Some electrical system failures can just result in a flickering light, but others can lead to you being stranded in the middle of a lake.
A simple test running through all your systems before you head out on the ocean will ensure that no bad surprises happen. This might be an aspect that you will want to have professionally inspected.
Like with any other vehicle, boat motors need clean fuel and air to work as designed. If an engine is neglected, it can greatly impact the engine's performance.
Make sure you take a look at your owner's manual before any replacements are made.
If your boat has come installed with air conditioning or plumbing, you will need to inspect these elements regularly. Even though a simple test will suffice before a single outing on your vessel then, you will need to have the whole system inspected by a professional every so often.
This is especially important for the boat's plumbing. Problems can quickly develop with plumbing systems, and these issues can go unnoticed for long periods.
Fabric materials can deteriorate very quickly, especially when out on the water. The slightest vulnerability can lead to destruction.
We recommend regularly caring for and replacing materials to make sure that the boat is comfortable when needed.
Depending on which boat you own, there can be several dozen different joints and hinges that need to be taken care of. Grime and corrosion can slowly build up and then lead to moving parts becoming immovable.
Before you take your boat out on the water, you should briefly check all the vessel's moving parts and apply lubricant where needed.
Ensure you check for any breaks or signs of rust to reduce the risk of tipping while you are using your boat.
Even if you are simply going out for a quick trip on your boat, it is absolutely essential you have all the needed emergency and first-aid supplies on hand.
First aid supplies need to be able to treat minor injuries or burns, but having motion sickness medication available is always a good choice for those on board who might occasionally become seasick.
An emergency kit should contain supplies for emergency maintenance, flares for signalling, and an emergency radio. You should also have the required amount of floatation devices described in the law.
Just like with headlights on a car, navigational lights are totally essential. Even if you never plan to be out on the water beyond sunlight, you still need to be prepared for unexpected emergencies.
In these situations, you will want to be able to navigate the water safely.
If you are a sailor, you will surely already be aware of the multitude of surprises your sail can be exposed to when out on the water.
Sails must be assessed before each use, and rigs must be inspected at least once per boating season.
Easy Ways To Maintain Your Boat
The most basic maintenance tasks that a boat owner can carry out are simply ensuring that parts of the boat are being kept clean and, when necessary, sections are well-lubricated, so they do not get stiff. Just these simple steps have a huge impact on the boat.
If you use a fibreglass gel coat, as an example, then a lack of washing and waxing will result in the coat oxidising and turning chalky. This is why basic boat hull maintenance with any fibreglass boat is waxing and washing. If specks of dirt sit on canvas and upholstery, then this can lead to mildew and mould attaching and growing. A dirty bilge can also mean that fluids and fuel leaks might not be spotted. Another reason to ensure your boat is clean.
Once you have been out on your boat for a relaxing and fun day, when you have returned home, there are not many tasks to be done other than cleaning and lubricating the boat where necessary. However, there is one important task that needs to be carried out if you have been boating in saltwater. This task is outboard engine care. We recommend following your engine manufacturer's recommendations to get all the needed information on how this job should be carried out.
One more maintenance job that should be done after each trip out on your vessel is just taking the time to do an easy visual inspection of all the boat's important systems. If you see anything that does not look right, then you can make a decision on whether you want to tackle the issue yourself or whether you want to take the boat for repairs by a professional.
Why boat maintenance is important
You may well be surprised by the amount of all boating fatalities that are a result of equipment and maintenance-related factors.
Completely avoidable maintenance oversights account for eight per cent of all boating accidents and four percent of boat-related deaths.
You should never place yourself at extra risk, so make sure that your boat is ready for the water by making sure that you stick to a strict maintenance schedule.
From the boat's first time on the water for the season to winterising your boat, you need to have a dedicated process for maintaining and inspecting your boat both before and after each time it is used.
The reason why maintenance issues for boats are not too common is that the majority of boat owners take a lot of pride in their vessels.
This means that they look forward to boat maintenance and see it as part of the boating hobby.
There are not many boats which are not deeply looked after by their owners. Buying a boat is a big investment, the type that many boat owners will have spent years and years saving up for and doing countless hours of research before finally spending the money. It's similar to buying a home in a lot of ways.
A boat, just like with other major purchases, needs regular maintenance and servicing to ensure that its performance is the best it can possibly be. Just a single half-hearted inspection or lazy maintenance round can lead to your prized possession ending up at the bottom of a lake. This is why it is highly recommended that you err on the side of caution when it comes to boat maintenance.
If you are a person new to the world of boat enthusiasts, then learning how to look after a boat is certainly the second most important step after actually learning how to operate a boat when it is out on the water. Not only will boat maintenance keep you safe while you are sailing along, but it will ensure that your large investment is protected and not going anywhere.
Storage Boat Maintenance
One more important part of boat maintenance is the storage of the boat. The majority of people are not in a position where they can keep their boat in regular use for all twelve months of the year. This means that once boating season comes to an end, the boat needs to be stored away. Learning how to winterise and store your boat is a vital part of boat maintenance and ensuring your vessel has a long life.
During the winter months, you need to protect your boat from moisture, snow, and ice. The boat cannot be sealed airtight, so other solutions need to be made. The boat needs airflow in order to ensure that mildew doesn't grow. Lines also need to be clear and clean, so oil and fuel don't lead to boat degradation or any kind of destruction.
Depending on exactly where you live, there is a variety of places you can choose to store your boat. The cost will depend on where you live and where the boat is stored. The fees for boat storage can range from £50 to £200.If you live in a warm climate, then keeping your boat on the water is an option.
Most marinas and harbours will allow you to keep your boat there all year. If water storage is your choice, then de-icer technologies are necessary. Water moving devices called bubblers can also be used to prevent freezing.
Outdoor storage is highly cost-effective and easier than most other options. If you own a sailboat, you don't need to take the mast down. The best method for outdoor storage is to hire a professional who can then wrap the boat. This means the boat will have maximum protection. If you have the space, then indoor storage is one more option.
If it is within your budget, then you can hire a storage unit. Indoor spaces are temperature and humidity controlled, so you can keep your boat safer.
Are you looking for boat repair and servicing in Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Poole, Worthing or Brighton? Follow the link below for inboard engine servicing and marine maintenance near you.