Boating is undeniably one of America’s most beloved outdoor activities, with about 12 million recreational boats registered in the US alone. That said, each of these proud boat owners needs to maintain and care for their boats to keep them in good condition over the years.
Routine maintenance ensures the boat systems keep working correctly, effectively preventing breakdowns and other mishaps on the water.
In this article, we’ve listed five of the essential boat maintenance tips so that you can keep your boat in excellent condition.
The most critical way boat owners can keep their boats in excellent condition is to keep the exterior clean. During the scorching summer, your boat will be exposed to the blistering sun, water, salt, and a lot of dirt. As a result, you’ll need to create a cleaning schedule to keep the exterior clean and dry for a lengthier lifespan.
With this, boat cleaning must begin at the start of the season, and you’ll need to ensure the vehicle is coated with wax and protectants. While wax ensures the paint is protected from the elements, it also makes overall cleaning a lot easier. Moreover, you’ll also need to rinse and dry your boat after each trip out on the water to remove debris and dirt, preventing rust formation.
Whether you own a Volvo Penta 5.0 gxi or any other make and model boat, you’ll also need to invest in engine maintenance. Engine maintenance is crucial for new and used boats.
Your boat’s engine requires special care to function well over time without faults and failures. It’s wise to create a boat maintenance schedule that prioritizes routine services at a reliable marine shop. Otherwise, you can opt for the DIY maintenance route if you have the right skills, tools, and dedicated part supplier.
The engine’s oil, fuel, and lubrication levels must be checked each time you’re about to start your boat, and you’ll also need to keep an ear open for unusual sounds that will signify the need for a maintenance service.
The batteries in your boat are essential to run all the electronics and power the engine. As a result, it’s crucial to check all batteries and replace them as soon as they show signs of fault.
More often than not, most boat batteries will last for about three years before they need replacing, but it’s still crucial to check the batteries more frequently.
Your boat’s upholstery also needs routine maintenance and care because it’s exposed to the blistering sun. Unfortunately, lack of maintenance here can leave your upholstery faded and brittle over time.
Consider the type of fabric before implementing upholstery maintenance because different materials require different care efforts.
Lastly, you’ll also need to take care of all boat accessories. Whether you have functional boat accessories like a trolling motor that can improve performance or other accessories for entertainment like speakers, you’ll need to keep these items in good condition too.
