The Basics of Boat Maintenance
Now that spring has finally arrived, boat owners everywhere are pulling their beloved vessels out of storage and getting them ready for their first trips to the water. It’s important to take some time to maintain your boat, though, to ensure that it works correctly and that you don’t become stranded in the middle of a lake or worse, floating off the Atlantic coast somewhere while you wait for rescue.
Follow these tips to keep your boat ship-shape.
Check the Engine
Your boat engine has several components that keep it functional that you’ll want to check, including hoses, fluids, and belts.
Inspect the hoses for signs of leakage; rubber can crack easily in the cold, and if you’ve left your boat outside or in a cold storage facility, your hoses may need to be replaced. Check your entire fuel system for leaks while you’re at it. Replenish any fluids that need to be filled up or changed so that you have clean oil and sufficient coolant. Check over your belts by pressing them gently to make sure they don’t have too much give.
Inspect Battery
Look at the Hull
Walk around your boat’s exterior to check for any damage that you may have missed or that may have been incurred while your boat was in storage. You’ll want to make repairs if you find cracks in your gelcoat or gouges in the hull.
Examine the Interior
You should also take a close look at the interior of your boat, particularly if you have an enclosed cabin, as pest infestation is somewhat common for boats that have been in storage. You’ll need to address this issue thoroughly to make sure you clear away all signs of pests and everything that may have drawn them into your boat, including food or liquid spills.
Wash Your Boat
It’s also a good idea to give your whole boat a nice rinse and scrub before you take it out on the water. Make sure that you’re rinsing your boat after each excursion as well, particularly if you take it into the ocean, since saltwater buildup can be corrosive over time. Sweep the deck clean of leaves and other debris, too, and make sure that your seats are wiped down so that your passengers have a nice clean place to sit.
Need some professional assistance with maintaining your boat? Get in touch with the Clinton Harborside Marina service department to make an appointment with our mechanics. We’ll be more than happy to address whatever issues you’re having to get you back to cruising as soon as we can.
When you’re ready to buy a new or used boat, come see us at our Clinton, CT, location to view our current inventory. Talk to our staff about our trade-in options, too. Clinton Harborside Marina serves our Connecticut customers in both West Haven and Milford.