Boat Maintenance Tips
When you make a big investment into something big like a boat, you’ll want to do everything you can to take good care of it. After all, you want your vessel to last and continue to deliver superior performance for years to come. Luckily, with a bit of time and effort, you’ll be well on your way to maintaining a healthy boat. If you’re not sure where to begin, we’ve created this helpful guide on proper boat maintenance.
Perform an Inspection
First, you’ll need to perform an inspection of your boat. If it’s trailered, this will allow you to walk around the exterior and examine the hull for any signs of damage or build-up of algae or other debris. If you find scratches or dents, you’ll need to get these repaired as soon as possible.
Next, walk around the inside of your boat next to make sure there are no signs of pest infestation, mold, or mildew. A good thorough cleaning of the exterior and interior of your boat will help to reduce the chance of damage from pests, mold, and mildew.
Engine Care
Your boat’s engine is key to its proper functioning, so keeping track of how it performs is important. Make sure the battery isn’t worn down and that it’s holding a charge. Run it before you put your boat in the water to make sure that it powers up your lights and signals.
Check the fluid levels in your engine and replace the oil if it’s sludgy and opaque. Make sure there are no leaks around gasket heads. If you’ve left your boat sitting for a while, you’ll want to drain the fuel in the tank and replace it with fresh fuel that has no more than 10% ethanol content, as marine engines aren’t designed to run on alcohol fuels.
Update Safety Gear & Registration
Your boat should always be properly registered and tagged and you’ll want to make sure that your registration is up-to-date, as well as your insurance. Keep these necessary papers somewhere accessible and waterproof.
The safety equipment on your boat will also need regular inspection and replenishment. This includes the first-aid kit, fire extinguishers, life jackets, and signal flares. If anything seems worn or damaged, make sure you replace it as soon as you can.
We hope this guide to boat maintenance helps you keep your vessel in great condition. Have you still not found the perfect boat? Come by our dealership in Alexandria, LA, to check out our selection of boats for sale in many different styles. Loewer Powersports & Equipment proudly serves all those in the rest of Rapides Parish and Lafayette.
