Hi boat owner, we understand that during the pandemic the boating activity is significantly dropped but that doesn’t mean to ignore the regular boat maintenance. Like any other means of transportation such as car and motorcycle, a boat is a heavy piece of machinery that each part has its own durability and lifespan. The purpose of doing regular maintenance is to keep these parts always in top condition and can prolong the lifespan of the parts without compromising too much time and money. Contrary to popular belief, boat maintenance isn’t rocket science that needs a special set of skills, all you have to do is pay attention to details on each aspect of the boat and do small maintenance things on it.
1. Clean the boat
A boat is vulnerable to get stained regardless if it’s used on saltwater or freshwater, especially during the pandemic while most of the time it will just sitting on the dock. The common thing that occurs on a boat is invasive species such as plant or animal hitching a ride. If ignored, these species could harm the boat such as damaging the finish. Keeping the boat clean not only maintain its beauty but also help to protect the boat structure from rust that could cause abrasions, especially for a saltwater boat.
Here’s some guidance on where to start to clean the boat:
– Start with the interior surfaces such as carpet, fibreglass, vinyl, cushions, and head, use a brush or towel with soap to clean the dirt and cleanse it with water.
– Continue with the exterior surfaces such as hull, gel-coat and canvas. Apply paste wax on smooth gel-coated surfaces to protect them from oxidation and keeping them shiny all the time. For other exterior parts, you can gently brush them with soap then cleanse them with fresh water.
– The engines, whether inboard or outboard type of engines, both need regular cleaning. Start with cleaning the engine cowl with soap and cleanse it with water. Then remove all dirt and grime from the engines to prevent any damage but just wipe it with microfiber cloths and water because the engines consist of electrical parts that could be damaged by a certain solution.
– The teak, scrubbing it with soapy water and then cleanse it with fresh water will do the trick.
2. A proper boat storage
Just like a car, the boat also requires a proper place to store it, while most of the time it just stored on a dock but during the pandemic, it will be great to place it inside. However, we understand that preparing a special place to store the boat will be time and money consuming, therefore, here are some considerations for you:
– On the dock
Probably the most convenient and common thing to do by every boat owner because you just need to hook the boat on a dock. While this is the most cost-efficient way but the boat will become vulnerable to weather-related damage. To protect the boat, you need a high-quality and proper placement of boat cover that able to cover most of the boat parts from the bow to the stern because there’s a high chance you will leave it in a long time due to the pandemic.
– Indoor storage
For an unpredicted and long time of boat storing, indoor storage would be a great option because you won’t worry about weather-related damage or any damage caused by invasive species. There are plenty of indoor boat storage to rent in Perth but if it’s large enough, you can always use your own garage. However, you must prepare a boat trailer on the ramp to lift it out of the water and drive it to the garage.
3. Engine and electrical parts maintenance checklist
Now you know how to start doing maintenance on your boat, then the next step will be a bit more complicated because it requires diligent and attention to details on the engine and electrical parts. These parts are like the soul of the boat, if one of these parts is functioning properly, the boat will not run smoothly. Here is the parts checklist you should note:
– Boat engines
Regularly check on the condition of them, look for any sign of damaged hose or corrosion which you should do immediate repairment and make sure the engines are securely safe.
– Boat propellers
If left on the water for so long the propellers are vulnerable to be hitched by invasive species, that’s why, when doing maintenance don’t forget to clean the propellers thoroughly.
– Boat battery
The electrical components on the boat rely on the battery capacity and condition, therefore, make sure to check on the battery charge using a digital multimeter. Please note that the battery will degrade over time, eventually, it needs to be replaced.
– Bilge pump
The part that sometimes missed during the maintenance but holds an important role to keep your boat from sinking. Check the hose condition for any sign of a clog, this could hinder the pump from removing the excess water onboard.
– Electrical wires
Corrosion is the most common issue that occurred on the wires because they constantly in contact with water. This could deteriorate the wires durability and could lead to a fire hazard. Keep them clean and wipe any excess water left on the electrical lines.
– Oil and filters
Just like a car, a boat must do regular oil and filters replacement because, over time, the oil will become dense and hinder some of the movement of the parts. This could lead to the engines broke down. Similar treatment should be done on other parts that require fluids to help its movements such as power steering fluid and coolant.
Conclusion
Whether you are a professional in boating or just recently obtained a recreational skippers ticket, should be doing regular maintenance on their boat because prevention could save you a lot of time and money from repairing the boat parts. Thank you for reading and feel free to share the article.
