Owning a boat is the best, but also quite expensive experience. Buying a boat itself can be expensive but this is only the beginning. Boats require lots of regular maintenance and depending on the size of the boat, things can break down all the time. Obviously small simple boats are much easier to maintain and there are way less things that can break down. With bigger boats, especially ones where you can also sleep, cook… live on the boat, there are plenty of things that can and will eventually break down. It’s similar to a camper van with a difference that there is salty water all around it. So to be safe at sea make sure you take care of these things regularly.
You can limit the number of breakdowns with regular maintenance work like filter check, oil change and boat detailing. Here is a list of things that you can do to keep repairs to the minimum and to check before the summer.
Prevent Damages by Covering Your Boat
When your boat is not in use, cover it with polyester, nylon or acrylic tarp. This way it will be protected from the elements like sun, snow, rain when it is waiting for your summer vacations. Constant exposure to sun and rain can result to mold build-up or mildew. UV rays in the sun will also age the materials on the boat. Thicker tarps stay in place better and always make sure the tarp is securely and tightly tied down to the boat so it does not flap in the wind as it might tear, damage the boat etc…
Regular Maintenance and Part Replacement
You should avoid, at all costs, reaching a point where your boat will need a full restoration. It is much cheaper to fix everything that breaks down as soon as it does and regularly replace worn out part or even get some upgrades for your boat. High-quality repair or replacement parts like ACME props can even boost your boat’s performance.
Check Your Engine Regularly
This is the most common and also the most annoying or even dangerous problem that you can have wit your boat – engine not working. People assume that their boat runs fine and smoothly every time they are in the waters, but an engine that is in lots of contact with salt water need more maintenance than let’s say a car engine. Here is a nice engine inspection checklist that you can go through and make sure your engine will be working as it should. It’s impossible to avoid or prevent breakdowns entirely. Environmental factors, natural wear and tear, human errors, and manufacturing defects make breakdowns a considerable risk. Postponing repairs and buying cheap replacement parts are two mistakes that every boat owner should avoid. An excellent way to protect the lifespan of your vessel is also to schedule checkups as soon as you notice something wrong.
Check the Battery
If your boat is not in use for a longer period of time like a couple of months, disconnect the battery and store it away. Batteries will slowly discharge when they are not in use so make sure you charge it every now and then. Let’s say every 2 months. If the battery runs completely empty it can be impossible to charge. This also depends on the battery type. It is true for lead acid, gel and agm batteries which should generally not be emptied more than 40-50%. Using more than 50-60% of power from the battery can damage it. On the other hand with LiFePO4 batteries you can empty them almost to the 0%, but they are also more expensive. Anyway, make sure your batteries are charged (get a charger) before you go boating.
Oil Check
Just like any machinery, boats need an oil change.
Wash your boat regularly
It may look useless to wash your boat, considering the fact that it is always in the water. But it is important to use clean, fresh water to wash your boat regularly. Saltwater is harmful to your boat equipment and surface since it causes corrosion. Washing will also help remove water organisms like algae that can attach to the hull and vessel’s coating. If your boat is in the water for a long time, water organisms will start growing on it. This slows the boat down and can cause other problems as well. So if your boat is in the water all the time you need to take it out every year and take care of that (sanding, new coat of paint etc…).