Keeping your boat maintained
Progressive Boat Insurance!
Boat maintenance is probably one of the most daunting tasks of any mode of transportation or fun. There’s a reason that people say boat stands for Bust Out Another Thousand. However, it doesn’t always have to be that expensive. By keeping your boat well maintained and checking on things periodically, you can prevent huge repair bills by fixing something before it gets overwhelming.
Because there are so many things to keep up on a boat, you can actually download professional checklists to make sure you get everything done. There are Season Kick Off, Semi Annual and Pre Departure checklists, so that you can get everything done in a timely manner without having to stress over it. Just look online and find the maintenance schedule that’s good for your boat.
One of the first things often recommended is to wash your boat often. When your hull is covered with barnacles it can create a lot of drag on the boat and you will end up using a lot more fuel to get it up to speed. Also many of the marine washes and waxes can help prevent corrosion from water or sun damage. This is even more imperative if you are sailing in salt water as opposed to fresh.
Just like an automobile, your boats engine will need oil changes. How often can depend on the type of motor you have, but when in doubt, change it for every 100 hours of use. You can also check your owner’s manual or look online for a more exact changing schedule. For do it yourself-ers, it can be easier to change than a car’s, but you can always take it to a professional to change it too.
Every so often, you should remove and check your boat’s propeller. Sometimes debris like fishing lines can get caught in the shaft, and that is something better caught sooner than later. To be on the safe side, have a professional remove anything caught around the shaft or the gears. If it looks good, then add some waterproof grease to the shaft before putting the propeller back together.
Of course there are many things that can go wrong with a boat, and many things to maintain, but if you use your checklists and stay on top of everything, you will get much more fun out of your boat each season, and spend a lot less money than the next guy.