10 Boat Maintenance Tasks You Shouldn’t Neglect

If you have a boat, carrying out its maintenance is absolutely essential. This ensures that your boat stays functional for years to come and that you and your passengers are safe. Through maintenance, boaters will also be able to preserve their style and look. Just like the case with cars, your boats also require your regular attention in the form of maintenance.

Luckily, this article has compiled some tips and created a checklist of maintenance tasks to ensure your boat remains in tip-top shape. Boat maintenance is quite straightforward, as you only need to regularly check for a few things. Only occasionally will you need to carry out specific maintenance tasks that you can do by yourself or with the help of a professional.

Here’s everything you must know.

Boat Maintenance Task Checklist

Boats of the past, specifically wooden boats, used to require extensive care and maintenance. Luckily, modern boats are made from high-quality fiberglass or aluminum that does not need this much upkeep. That said, a mere visual inspection is not enough. It should be a thorough one.

If you are unsure of where to start from, perhaps a checklist would help. Here’s what your boat maintenance checklist should include:

Fiberglass

If you have a fiberglass boat, you will need to regularly carry out its cleaning and polishing. This will ensure that not only your boat looks good but will also prevent it from corrosion or cracks. You must use wax to polish and clean the fiberglass.

The unique wax used for boat polishing purposes will protect it from dust and saltwater. It will also make your boat shine. When searching for the most suitable wax for your boat, you should look for one that can stay on the surface for a long time and will maintain its glossy appearance.

Upholstery and Canvas

Another essential maintenance task that will improve the outer look of your boat and make it more appealing is through maintaining the upholstery and canvas. The canvas is a large fabric used to cover the cockpit and other open areas of the boat. This can be made from a variety of materials, including PVC, but you must ensure that it stays clean.

If you don’t clean these, they can become breeding grounds for mildew, and their waterproofing and corrosion-protecting abilities will be reduced. However, avoid washing the canvas in the washer or dryer. Instead, scrub it clean with a brush and by using a mixture of soap and water.

Furthermore, your boat’s seating needs to be regularly cleaned and maintained. For cleaning, you must scrub the seats with a brush using a water and soap mixture. Then, rinse off the soap and let it dry. Avoid using special cleaners for the boat’s upholstery, especially if it is made up of vinyl because this will reduce its longevity and effectiveness.

If you are unsure of the material of your upholstery and how to clean it, you should contact the manufacturer and ask them about the proper cleaning methods. Using the wrong cleaner, especially one that contains ammonia, can lead to costly damages.

HVAC and Plumbing Systems

If you have a large boat and one that contains air conditioning, you need to regularly carry out a thorough inspection of the HVAC systems. Any problems that go unnoticed can lead to serious and costly issues. Additionally, all plumbing systems should be thoroughly checked as well. If you don’t, then there is a risk of mold and mildew development that could require extensive cleaning and repair.

Electrical Systems

The electrical lines of the boat need to be in the best shape. If not, they could lead to major problems like fire. Hence, make sure that you check all of these lines and electrical components to ensure they are working correctly and are not a hazard.

It is also a good idea to get these electrical systems inspected by professionals every now and then.

Woodwork

As mentioned, modern boats are not made of wood. However, handrails, steps, and some components of the boat may be made of wood. This wood is typically teak. You will need to buy a mild teak wood cleaner to clean and maintain the boat’s wooden parts. Lightly scrub the cleaner and rinse it thoroughly after each use of the boat.

Boat Maintenance Tips and Tasks to Carry Out

Besides the aforementioned checklist, boaters should also be following tips to keep their boat in the best possible shape. The maintenance checklist will give them a roadmap when carrying out maintenance inspections. However, boat owners should carry out specific maintenance tasks to ensure their boat is safe, functional, and healthy.

The more you carry out these maintenance tasks, the better the look and health of your boat will be. This will also help you stay relaxed while out in the sea. That said, here are all of the things you should do to preserve your boat and prolong its life:

1.      Check the Boat Engine and Battery Regularly

Batteries are one of the most critical components of boats and, unfortunately, are the reason for a few common boat problems. This is why boat owners should regularly check the batteries for any signs of corrosion and loose belts or cracks. Additionally, you should also check the battery before starting the boat and going out to the sea. Not only should the battery be charged, but it must also sustain its charging. A faulty battery might get charged but sometimes does not stay charged for long; ensure that this is not the case with yours. You can check your battery’s charging by using a digital multimeter.

Other than that, you should analyze the connections to ensure they are secure and not corroded. If they are dirty, simply brush off the dirt using a toothbrush.

The battery is essentially like the heart of the boat, so you should check it regularly and ensure it is in good condition.

2.      Inspect the Hull

The hull is located on the exterior of the boat and should not contain any dents, blisters, or cracks. If so, it may start gathering water that can cause your boat to sink. Any blisters should be filled and sanded because they can grow bigger. It is recommended that you call a professional to fix the problem if you notice any of these cracks.

The drain plugs in the hull should also be secured in place. When you thoroughly inspect the hull, you reduce the risk of accidents on the sea while boating. This simple step can prevent a major catastrophe, so be sure to follow it every time you go out to the sea.

3.      Check the Bilge Pump before Taking the Boat Out

The bilge pump drains and removes water that gathers at the bottom of the boat. If this pump malfunctions, it can lead to the boat sinking or capsizing. Hence, it is essential to inspect the bilge pump every time you take your boat out to see.

Check the hoses to see if there is no debris in them. They should also not leak the water. All of this can prevent your boat from staying afloat. Additionally, it is also a good idea to keep a backup water pump with your bilge pump as a precaution.

4.      Regularly Change the Oil and Filters

You should create a boat maintenance schedule that has details of when you should change your boat’s oil. It is recommended to change your oil a couple of times a year. If you don’t change the oil, your boat’s engine may not work properly since it requires a lubricant to keep things smooth. You should avoid going on an outing with your boat when you need to change the oil since the process is time-consuming.

Firstly, you should ensure you have the correct oil that is suitable for boat engines. Secondly, remove the drain plugs and let the oil drain completely, which may take up to half an hour. While this is happening, remove the oil filter and replace it with a new one. It is also an excellent idea to let your engine run for a couple of minutes before changing the oil. You should also keep it switched off when carrying out the oil change.

5.      Inspect Your Propellers

When a propeller is working properly, it maximizes your boat’s fuel efficiency. This is why you should carry out this basic boat maintenance task before taking it out to the marina. Check for signs of damage on the propeller since these may lead to excessive and unnecessary fuel consumption.

Greasing the shaft to ensure lubrication of the propeller is a necessary task to carry out occasionally. When putting the propeller back in, you should securely tighten it to the boat. Use a wrench to secure the propeller nuts.

6.      Check the Expiration Date on Your Safety Equipment

Every boat must have safety gear like flares, lifejackets, and fire extinguishers. They provide peace of mind and contingency if needed. You should ensure that this gear is in good shape and kept in a cool, dry place where there is no moisture or water. Additionally, be sure to replace the fire extinguishers and flares if they have expired. Don’t neglect this simple maintenance task.

Some larger boats also contain smoke alarms. If yours does, too, it is essential to test them before taking the boat out to sea with passengers.

7.      Inspect for Deteriorated Anodes

The anodes are located in the lower unit of the boat to cover the metal components of the boat that are situated underwater. Typically, the anodes experience galvanic corrosion, which you should look out for. They will also eventually deteriorate and fall apart, so regular replacement of these is necessary.

If you notice that these anodes have half disintegrated, it’s time to replace them. If you don’t, you risk damaging the underwater metal parts of the boat. This could lead to a more extensive and costly issue to repair.

8.      Inspect All Docking Gear

Another task that should be part of your regular maintenance schedule is to inspect all docking equipment. Unfortunately, this task is often neglected and forgotten about by individuals. Therefore, you should make it a habit to check anchors, docking gear, and rope to see if they are still functional and in excellent shape.

During the inspection, you should also test these items out. If there are any signs of rust on them or if they are broken or damaged, replace them as soon as possible.

9.      Check All Moving Parts

Too often, individuals also forget to check all of the small moving parts of the boat, like the steering systems and screws. You should carry out such a thorough inspection of these items at least once a year. You should also oil and grease them if needed.

10.  Check for Fuel

When you’re out in the sea with friends and family, the last thing you want is to be stranded out in the ocean because you are out of fuel. Hence, your list of regular boat maintenance tasks should include checking the boat for fuel that will last you for your next ride.

The Bottom Line

Every individual who owns a boat should create a regular maintenance schedule for a boat. You should treat your boat the same way you treat your car. By ensuring you clean and maintain the components of the boat, you prolong the boat’s life and preserve its health and look.

Create a checklist for yourself and follow the aforementioned tips to stay on top of your boat’s maintenance. If you require professional inspection and need to service or repair your boat, you can reach out to Westshore Marine. We not only provide boat parts for sale, but we also service and sell boats. Our catalog contains a wide range of boats for sale.

For further information, visit our website and get in touch with our experts today!