Boat Maintenance Tips

From Jim Shepard,

In-the-Water-Maintenance and Care

Here are some maintenance tips for in-the-water care for your boat. Have you ever contemplated just how complex that beloved piece of equipment, called your boat, really is? Good, in-the-water care and maintenance is critical for boat dependability. Just think about it! First, you have the hull that not only has to shrug off UV (Ultra Violet) rays from the sun and salt water corrosion, in some cases, but must also stand up to the constant twisting and pounding of wave and current action.

Then, there's the very complex propulsion system with literally thousands of moving parts sitting, in most cases, in a "hole" in the water. All the while, the surrounding moisture everywhere is trying to do its corrosive worst to each and every part.

To this picture, add an electrical system, a water system, waste system and electronic equipment and you can see why I have previously said and continue to say, "The only thing that a boat can do all by it self, is SINK!" So as a result of these combined factors, everything on board your boat needs constant, in-the-water maintenance, care and attention.

I once considered writing the world’s shortest boat maintenance manual.

With these facts in mind, here's a list of things that must be checked on a weekly basis, even if the boat’s just sitting there in her slip. Most of the things on the list should be done daily if you're out cruising.

1. Washing:

Wash and chamois down your boat at least once a week, if not more. Dirt and grime are collecting on your boat even as you read this article. Dirt gets ground into the deck whenever you and your crew come aboard. What dirt does not get ground in, runs down the sides of your boat when it rains and makes those dreaded black streaks. I, personally, am convinced that the Sea Gulls, Barn Swallows and Martins at my marina have designated the B.O.B. (Big Old Boat) as their official bombing range.

2. Dock Lines:

Check your dock lines and fenders at least once a week (every day if possible). Most summertime dock boys and girls don’t know an after bow spring line from a stern line and think that you left that fender floating in the water just to test its buoyancy. Check your lines for chafing and other signs of wear. According to the insurance industry, most insurance damage claims are not for damages sustained at sea, but are claims for damage done while the boat is moored in its own slip!

3. Thru Hull Fittings:

Check all thru hull fittings, seacocks, hoses and clamps. If you have an inboard propulsion system, check the stuffing box(es) for excessive dripping. Good point to remember is that many of the thru hull fittings are BELOW the water line. Therefore, if one of these fittings fails, you then automatically have a very large hole in the bottom of your boat taking on water! NOT GOOD!

4. Engines:

Start your engines and run them up to operating temperature frequently. If you are in an area where Zebra Muscles or other invasive species are a problem, the hot water discharge should get rid of those little trouble makers if done on a regular basis.

5. Generators:

If you have an A.C. power generator, run it for at least an hour every week under a heavy load (i.e. turn on the air conditioner, fridge, heat, lights, etc.). Any mechanical or electrical device that sits in a "hole in the water" for too long, will tend to rust and corrode. Therefore, make sure these devices are used/operated on a routine basis as preventative maintenance.

6. Navigation Lights:

Turn on the navigation lights, then walk around your boat and make sure they are all working. Port (red), Starboard (green), Masthead (white light facing forward), Stern light (white light facing aft) and Anchor light (all-around white light showing for 360 degrees). Also, while you’re at it, make sure your horn works.

7. Bilge Pumps:

Make sure your bilge pump(s) is (are) working and is (are) free of any debris. Also, check your bilge pump for grease or oil. Not only does oily slime cut down on the efficiency of the pump, pumping oil or fuel overboard is a major NO, NO!

8. Batteries:

Check your batteries. Any fully charged 12 volt battery should read around 13.2 volts. So in my opinion, any voltage reading below 13 volts DC is suspect (I use a volt meter to check). If the batteries are the usual lead, acid-flooded type, check the fluid level of each cell and top off with distilled water only!

9. Oil:

Before operating any engine on your boat, be sure to check the oil level. If you are using the boat every day, then it should become an every day procedure!

10. Electronics:

Turn on all your electronic navigation devices such as VHF radio, depth sounder, GPS, radar, etc. Even if you haven't used them in the last week, do this to make sure nothing has gone “haywire” since the last time they were last used.

Finally, going back to my short maintenance manual, make sure that everything on your boat that is supposed to move (valves, switches, latches, ports, hatches, etc. and all things mechanical) are tested at least once a month to make sure they are not “frozen up” and won’t function when it's critical that they do work.

So, there you have some tips for in-the-water maintenance and care to keep your boat running like a top. Gee, even though I’m miles away from my boat, I think I just heard something fall off the "old girl". Oh, well, boating is still fun and I love it!