Boat Maintenance for First-Time Owners

Ensure a great season on the water by following these insightful tips.

Courtesy www.discoverboating.ca

Buying a new or pre-owned boat to run for your first season is exciting. Days in the Shuswap can be spent cruising the popular arms, enjoying wakeboarding and relaxing in a quiet anchorage. However, how do you maintain it to ensure a great summer on the water? By practicing the following points, the first year with your boat should be trouble-free.

Engines, steering components, water pumps and other electronic or mechanical systems all benefit from being used on a regular basis. When they aren’t, the more prone they are to stop working. 

When you can’t run your boat as much as you would like this summer, make a point once a week to start the engine, and also turn on the blower, navigation lights, anchor windlass (if you have one), wipers, bilge pump, to name a few functions. Just let your circuit-breaker panel and the switches at the helm be your guide to be sure you don’t miss anything. 

Remember, if a marine engine sits for an extended period of time (or isn’t stored properly for the winter), gasoline can break down and clog the fuel system or corrosion may develop in the cylinders or other vital parts. As a result, it won’t run to its maximum performance.

Cleanliness Always Counts

It’s always important to keep your boat clean. If the engine compartment is well-maintained, leaking fluids like oil or coolant can be easily detected. Plus, it’s always easier to inspect components or conduct basic maintenance in a tidy space. In the event you do notice fluid leaking in the engine space, try to understand the problem and then get it fixed immediately to avoid bigger problems in the future. 

Also, if you notice surface rust on metal components like the bow rails, cleats, or grab handles, remove it immediately by applying a chrome/stainless steel polish, which can protect it from future corrosion or buildup. Cleaning pays off. The adage a ‘stitch in time saves nine’ holds true, especially for boats. 

The more you run your boat the more familiar you will be with it when it’s running and at speed. Pay attention to any odd sounds since they are often the first indicator of something amiss.

Quick DIY Maintenance Checklist 

You don’t need to be a certified marine technician to conduct basic engine and boat maintenance. Below are just a few important and common tasks to understand: 

  • Engines

In cold climates, always winterize the engine(s) properly to protect cooling systems where water might get trapped and freeze. Also, treat inner parts with fogging oil to prevent corrosion. Most engines require an oil change along with new oil and fuel filters every year. 

Annual service also includes a comprehensive list of parts to lubricate and inspect. Engine-cooling pump impellers last for two or three years but change them more frequently if you often run or dock in shallow, silty water, which abrades the rubber housings.

  • Underwater Hardware and Bottom Paint

Change sterndrive or outboard gear-case oil every fall and check for water intrusion while winterizing the engine. You may even need to replace the metal anodes (on sterndrives or inboard prop shafts that prevent corrosion) if they are showing signs of wear. If you notice your prop has more than a couple of minor nicks, have it reconditioned or replaced. 

The bottom paint on your hull prevents marine growth but its effectiveness varies by paint type, climate, and even local water bodies. It’s recommended to repaint the hull every one to three years. 

  • Batteries and Electrical Systems

Batteries should last for three years or more but never ignore a hard-to-start engine as even brand-new batteries occasionally fail. Charge the batteries before prolonged winter storage and have them load-tested every spring. Immediately address any signs of water dripping onto electrical panels or junctions and don’t store gear where it might damage wiring or delicate systems.

  • Fibreglass Care

Rinse your boat thoroughly after each outing and wash it once a week with mild boat soap. You may want to apply a new coat of wax every season as well. A sure sign of a wax job is when the grime becomes harder to wash off. Between coats, use a cleaner wax that scours the dirt but leaves behind a protective coating. This can also touch up tarnished areas.

  • Canvas and Upholstery

Polyester/acrylic fabric covers and sunshades always need a good freshwater rinse before or after a day on the water. Rejuvenate stain and water repellency with a fabric sealer once or twice a season if needed.  

When cleaning clear panels on canvas, only use manufacturer-approved cleaners and wash cushions with mild boat soap to remove sunscreen, food crumbs, dirt, and other debris. Deep-clean and protect the fabric as needed with a quality vinyl cleaner and protectant. 

  • Boat Interior

Use only recommended cleaning products on your boat. Many boats have plastic vanity mirrors, which can get damaged by the alcohol used in household glass cleaners. Water dripping from leaking hardware on the deck can be hard to see, but if you find that one particular storage compartment is musty, look around for a leak by running water from a hose in the suspected area. 

The bilge pump keeps water out of your boat, but there’s always a little remaining. Add biodegradable bilge cleaner when that water collects to keep the area clean and fresh.

  • A/C Systems 

If your boat has A/C, consider turning on the dehumidifier mode when it’s not in use and always clear debris from the A/C plumbing strainers once a week. Most A/C problems stem from poor water flow, so inspect pumps and plumbing a few times each season.

Some of these tasks are DIY. If you’re not sure, never guess and have a qualified marine technician do some of them for you. Your owner’s manual (for each onboard system) will include detailed information and maintenance schedules. 

Following all of these tips will just ensure your boat remains in top running condition every time you hit the water this season and seasons to come.