Caring For Your Boat

Every boat needs maintenance. Fortunately, maintenance and small repairs aren’t that tough, and it definitely pays off.

The first task is washing your boat regularly. If you cruise in saltwater, Make sure after every outing you rinse your boat thoroughly with fresh water to remove salt that can corrode metal, and mar your gelcoat. Use a long-handle, soft-bristle boat brush with some quality soap: marine boat wash is best but the soap you use for automobile is a good second choice.

Changing Your Oil.  Four-stroke outboards, inboards and stern drive boats require regular oil changes. When to change depends on the model, but a good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 100 hours of operation or once a year. You can to change your oil yourself or save time and effort by taking it to a dealer. Changing the oil yourself is easy with the right tools: an inexpensive oil extractor pump to remove the oil though the dipstick tube, and an oil wrench and rags for any drips.

Check the Propeller. Outboard or stern drive boats should check the propeller before every cruise and remove and check the propeller every so often for nicks, dents and fishing line or other material wrapped around the propeller shaft. If so, take it to your dealer because fishing line can cause gear case leaks, and it’s not a do-it-yourself job. Also have your propeller inspected for nicks, dents and other damage. The smallest dent can affect your boats performance and burn excessive fuel. A damaged prop also can vibrate and putting stress on bearings and seals.

Protect your Boat. Your boat is always vulnerable to nature’s vagaries.  Protect it with quality Canvas Coverings from CMC Canvass LLC