Not unlike automobiles, boats require routine maintenance to ensure that they run safely and smoothly. After all, a poorly maintained watercraft can potentially have disastrous consequences. And with proper upkeep and care, you can avoid a whole host of issues that can result in breakdowns, and, in turn, improve the longevity of your vessel and allow it to provide you with many years of good memories instead of becoming an ongoing problem and a drain for your financial resources.
Best of all, many boat maintenance tasks are fairly manageable and don’t require the expertise of professional mechanics. And in this article, we will discuss a few basic tips to keep your vessel in excellent shape and give you peace of mind that it’s maintained correctly.
1. Keep the exterior of the vessel clean
Contrary to popular belief, cleaning the exterior of a boat does more than showcasing its aesthetic beauty. For starters, it keeps any potentially nasty species from spreading throughout the vessel and preventing it from performing as efficiently as it should. More importantly, it will keep the paint finish of the boat intact and protect its structural integrity because salt can cause erosion over time if left unchecked, which can lead to expensive repairs. So, don’t underestimate the advantages of having a clean boat. Invest in marine paint if you have to. It will save you money in the long run.
2. Store the boat correctly
The proper storage of a boat is a lot more important than many people realize. After all, if your vessel isn’t stored correctly, it be exposed to the elements. And there’s a good chance that mildew can fester in the vessel as well. From shrink-wrapping the watercraft and carefully covering it with a tarp for outdoor storage to keeping it inside your garage if you have enough space in order to keep it safe and secure, putting in the time and effort to store it right will keep the amount of work that you’ll need to do to a minimum when the time comes to sail.
3. Maintain the watercraft’s engine
It may sound like a daunting prospect to care for the boat’s motor, but it’s not as complicated as some might believe. The key lies in taking all preventative measures to ensure that the engine runs as intended and avoiding any potentially costly repairs. So, before you take your vessel out for a sail, make sure that you have enough fuel for the trip and that the tank vent is open. The motor’s mount clamps must be fixed tightly. And don’t forget to keep the water intake of the vessel free of any debris. As simple as these tasks might sound, they can make all the difference in keeping the engine working correctly.Maintaining a boat might seem complicated; however, it’s simpler than you might think. And by keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to keep your vessel in tip-top shape and allow it to fulfill its intended purpose for a very long time.
Well, your tips are good. But to maintain a boat you have to look at other things like checking the battery every season or checking the fuel lines at least three times a year.