When you purchase a boat, you are making an investment that you can take care of. With your new boat, you can fish and explore various waterways. You can even explore the ocean depending on the type of boat you purchase. Boats are not cheap, and when they break down, the repairs can be very costly. Fortunately, there are ways that you can protect your boat and avoid doing those costly repairs.
It does not matter how big a boat, the design of the boat, or how many people the boat will hold. Follow these tips to keep your boat in awesome shape.
1. Keep It Clean
Keeping your boat clean is imperative to help protect it. When your boat is shiny and clean, it will look amazing. Not only will it look amazing, if you keep the exterior of the boat clean, but it will also help keep mold and mildew away. When your boat goes out into the water, it is exposed to various bacteria, which can then later cause the outside of your boat to be a safe haven for them. This build-up can cause damage to the exterior of your boat. If you take your boat out in saltwater, saltwater can damage your boat. Only use quality products that are made for cleaning aquatic vehicles and are safe for the environment.
When you are cleaning the exterior of your boat, do not forget to clean the interior. If a lot of debris builds up in the interior of your boat, this can lead to damage. Dust build-up can also hurt sensitive electronics. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that you clean your boat every time you take it out.
2. Engine Inspections
Before you take your boat out each time, you will want to ensure that you do an engine inspection. You should look for oil leaks and check the oil level. If you take the time to check for engine problems, it can help you to avoid having trouble out on the water. You should also check to see that your clamps and hoses are in good condition. Check your moving parts on your engine. If they are not moving well, make sure that you lubricate each part that needs to be lubricated. It is a good idea to ensure that you always have the tools you need to check out your engine when you need to. Having a mercury 100 hour service kit will help to ensure that you are able to address any issues with your engine quickly. If you run into a problem with your engine that you are not sure how to fix, you will want to find a boat engine technician to help you.
3. Checking Your Propellers
Your boat propellers can sustain damage any time you take your boat out on the water. Shallow waters or rocks can dent your propellers which may hurt their functionality. Look for any dents or broken places in the propeller. You will also need to check the bolts that hold your propellers on. If they are loose, you should tighten them up. If you see that there is an issue with your propellers, you will want to get them fixed before taking your boat out on the water.
4. Properly Store Your Boat
If you just put your boat out in your yard and do not cover it, you are asking for a disaster. When elements like wind, hail, and heavy rain hit it, it can cause damage to both the interior and exterior. You will also want to be careful and get the proper covering when you do store your boat. If you get a covering that is too tight and does not allow for ventilation, you could end up with mold and mildew growth.
Storage options include both outdoor and indoor solutions and on the water storage. You will need to determine what works best for your situation. If you do not have an indoor storage area, you can always get a boat cover to cover your boat. Just make sure that the cover is top grade and covers your boat well while allowing proper ventilation.
Taking care of your boat properly will help to ensure that you protect the boat and your bank account from costly repairs. Make sure that you inspect your boat frequently, store it properly, and keep it clean.