Maintenance

Tips on Maintaining Your Boat Throughout its Life

Buying a boat is only half the battle. Once the final paperwork is in order, the real work can begin. Boat maintenance is vital to the life of the boat and must be accomplished on a regular basis. Lack of maintenance can and will lead to the boat not performing at its optimal level and ultimately, the vessel can become damaged. Here are some tips that will keep your boat looking beautiful and running smoothly for years to come.

Wash Regularly

When taking the boat out of the water and storing it for the evening, simply parking the boat can lead to damage. Salt water can corrode the exterior of the vessel leading to faded color and damage to the gel coating. Standard soaps are not recommended when washing the boat as they can strip the color from the boat and may not get all of the residue off. Marine wash is perfectly formulated to get the salt off of the vessel, but leave the shine and gel coat fully intact.

Change the Oil

The fluids within the boat motor enable it to run smoothly, just like in a car engine, so these fluids have to be changed regularly to maintain proper flow and viscosity within the motor. You can learn how to change the oil yourself, but most people tend to take the boat to the dealership to have it done by a professional. It is important to remember that some warranties can become voided by doing certain maintenance jobs outside of the dealership, so be sure to understand your warranty so you do not void it by changing the oil yourself. Luckily, the oil only needs to be changed every 100 hours or on average, once per year, so it is relatively easy to take it to a dealer and inexpensive to have the oil changed by a professional.

Check Your Propeller

A propeller is an important piece of the boat, but unfortunately it does not always get the respect it deserves with regular checks. It is vital to check the propeller during your pre launch routine, but it is also essential to take the propeller off at least a few times per year to account for any items getting caught within the space and that the propeller is able to move freely without obstructions. During your inspection, account for any nicks or scrapes that may warrant replacing the propeller completely.

Do not Forget the Vinyl

There is a lot of emphasis placed on the need to maintain the general functions of the boat, but the interior is just as important. Regularly check and clean the vinyl seats within the boat to maintain their look as well as keep them comfortable for users. Rips and tears can lead to water getting into the inner materials of the cushions leading to mold, mildew, and absolutely zero comfort factors. Replace the cushions when needed, but also keep a check on the snaps and areas where the cushions attach to the seats to ensure a proper fit. These areas can become damaged as well when not properly maintained.

Daily Checks

When your vessel is being used on a daily basis during the hottest part of the summer, daily engine checks are essential. These checks need to be performed before launching into the water to make certain that all components are working as they should. Every boat is different with the necessary checks on certain areas of the boat, but in general and daily checks should include checking the oil level, battery power, filters, wiring, fuel level, and that the engine itself sounds as it should with no smoking or bad smells. Check all drains and strainers before embarking to keep them functioning properly and take a look at all rigging before heading out into the water for the day. These may seem like small things, but noticing them before going into the water is sure to save you from a lot of headache.

Looking for a Boat for Sale?

If you are in the market for a boat, the dealership is the last place you should shop. Where it is true that you can have the latest boat models to look at, the dealerships regularly markup the prices on vessels considerably to boost profits. The solution for finding the right boat for you is trusting in Vessel Vendor. We are not your average everyday online boat classified site that gouges their sellers with insane fees and makes them follow a complicated format just to post their boats. We take care of buyers and sellers with the lowest seller fees in Florida and an easy to follow self posting format. That has proven to be the key ingredient in our ability to maintain the largest inventory of all online boat classified sites in the area. Visit Vessel Vendor today and discover what you have been missing with other sites you may have used in the past.