Tag Archives: boat maintenance

Recreational

5 steps to winterize your boat the easy way

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It happens every year. The season comes to an end, and we have to put our boat away for the winter. Before you say your final farewell, however, take a little time for some maintenance. Handling these five winterization steps now, says Derek Wolfe, Watercraft Claims Specialist at American Modern, will make saying hello to your boat next spring even more joyful.

  1. Before winter storage, clean out all the damp and wet materials including any fabrics that can hold moisture. This will help prevent musty smells in the boat after the long winter.
  2. Be sure to clean and protect the canvas that protects your boat all season long. The reason for most canvas leaks is due to dirt being trapped between the canvas threads. The dirt will act like a funnel and allow water to pass straight through. Don’t forget to reapply a protectant to the canvas to preserve it from the elements.
  3. One of the most highly neglected boating accessories is not even on the boat—it’s the trailer your boat sits on. You trust the trailer to get your boat to and from the lake, but it’s rarely maintained until something breaks. Maintenance tasks such as brake service, paint protection, tire checks, lubing, and greasing the brakes and bearings will keep your trips on schedule.
  4. Remember to pull your boat’s hull drain plug when it’s stored out of the water. If your shrink-wrap or covers fail during the off-season, rainwater buildup could fill the bilge and submerge the motor and systems for a long period of time. That’ll ruin next season in a hurry!
  5. Be sure to have your boat, motor, and all systems professionally winterized. Most important, remember to have marine antifreeze installed. Marine antifreeze not only protects the systems from freezing temperatures, but it has corrosion inhibitors that help control the decay of metals inside the cooling systems. Relying on a knowledgeable marine service professional can put your mind at ease, because typically damage from freezing is not covered by most insurance policies.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Recreational

5 boat maintenance tips

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Spending a bit of time on basic maintenance can help you have fun for years to come. Here are a few  ideas to keep your boat ship-shape.

  1. Keep Things Clean: Boating can be a messy business, but a clean and well-kept boat should last longer than its slimy and unmaintained counterpart. Regularly remove scale and algae scum from the hull and watch out for buildup. Upholstery should be maintained with proper marine cleaners and protectants to avoid replacing it down the road.
  2. Maintain the Battery: Marine batteries can last years if properly maintained. Make sure the battery is secured before every trip and firmly mounted to the boat. Immediately after use, recharge your battery fully to decrease the chance of sulfate deposit buildup. If your battery requires it, make sure its water is at the right level.
  3. Check the Engine: Most boats are run hard on the weekends and left idle for the rest of the week. This irregular use is hard on a boat. That’s why it’s so important to inspect and check all the engines components and fluids every time you go boating. If you find a leak, get it properly repaired right away to prevent further damage and keep toxins out of the water.
  4. Check the Propeller: Your propeller needs to be inspected on a regular basis because any dents, knicks, or dings which can hinder performance, drive up fuel costs, and create internal damage. A few times per season remove the entire propeller in order to remove any built up gunk or debris from your prop shaft and relubricate.
  5. Don’t Stop Now: The end of boating season doesn’t mean the end of boat maintenance. Be sure to have your boat professionally winterized to prevent freezing damage to the engine and hull. Then, make sure it’s properly covered for winter storage.

Keeping up with boat maintenance is the key to your craft’s longevity and safety. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or you rely on the professionals, take good care of your boat and it should return the favor with years of boating entertainment.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Sources:

Proper Boat Maintenance can help prevent major repairs. – YouTube
Boat Maintenance Checklist | Sport Fishing Magazine
Beginner’s Boat Maintenance for Dummies | Discover Boating
8 Everyday Boat Maintenance Tips to Give You Total Peace of Mind | BetterBoat Boating Blog
How to Maintain a Marine Battery | Gold Eagle Co.
Boat Maintenance Tips | The Family Handyman

Prevention Tips, Recreational

5 things to know before you get back on the water

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Summer is right around the corner—and that means it’s time to take the boat out of winter storage. Although there will always be risks, some marine losses can be avoided if boat owners (and agents and underwriters!) know a few warning signs. Here are 5 tips to help navigate toward a ship-shape voyage:

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Other, Recreational

Boat spring commissioning

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A properly maintained boat can provide years of enjoyment. While year-round protection and maintenance are crucial, a good spring commissioning can set your mind at ease. Here are a few reminders you may have missed while focusing on the oils, impeller and wax.

  1. Review boat records. Reviewing your maintenance records is a great way to start the season. Although having a good memory of what work has been done is great, recalling what year you did it can quickly slip away. It’s best practice to check the manufacturer owner’s manual to familiarize yourself with recommendations for your boat, motor and generator. Recording the manufacturer’s recommendations and proper cataloging of services you performed in a ship’s log or maintenance manual will keep the guessing games to a minimum, keeping you out of the slings and off the trailer.
  2. Check battery fluid. Make sure the battery fluids are at their proper levels. This simple task can keep your wet cell battery from shorting out internally and wreaking havoc to your boat’s electrical systems. Absorbent glass mat (“AGM”) batteries typically used in boats need to be charged slowly. If they weren’t on slow chargers over the storage period, a slow, deep charge is required to bring AGM batteries back to life.
  3. All hands on deck. The deck hardware and thru-hulls have sealant which deteriorates from the sun, harsh cleaning chemicals, and time. Making sure hardware such as thru-hulls, hatches, windshields, rails, and snaps are properly bedded in sealant can prevent premature deterioration of wood structural reinforcements and keep water from leaking into the cabin or hull.
  4. Inspect the hoses. Rubber hoses, propeller shafts and rudder packing should be inspected and serviced regularly. If not properly seated, the shaft packing can rub the shafts wearing unevenly, allowing leaks. The rubber hoses that carry liquids in and out of the vessel can also rub hard motor parts, chaffing holes in them. Replace or remount hoses at any signs of chaffing or cracking. This will help prevent sinking, motor damage, and dangerous carbon monoxide inhalation from leaks and wear. If you’re not sure, you can always check with your mechanic.
  5. Don’t forget about the trailer. One of the most overlooked tasks of boat ownership is trailer maintenance. While getting your boat ready for the season, don’t forget to spend some time with your trailer. Brake fluid, wheel bearings, lug nuts, and trailer lights need to be serviced. Close care should be considered on the trailer tires. Check tires for any signs of dry rot, cracking or tread separation, tire pressure, and wear. Rubber tires can often dry crack before the tread has worn out, requiring replacement. Tires are date coded by the manufacturer so you can track their age. When it’s time to replace them, ensuring proper load range and tire size for the weight of your boat will keep you off the side of the road.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.