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BOATS NEED MAINTAINED. Find out how by consulting marine-silesia. Similar to our automobiles, our boats need regular maintenance in order to operate smoothly and safely. With proper boat care and maintenance, you can be sure that your vessel to last the long haul and offer many memories, whether or not you take it out on the lake, rivers or seas. The importance of boat maintenance extends beyond an examination of your boat each moment you get out. You'll also want to look after and care about your boat after every outing, and keeping a schedule of regular maintenance. It's good to know that many maintenance tasks can be completed by most boat owners and do not require a specialist. But, if, however, you find yourself in need of assistance or have a major issue, it is recommended to call experts in order to enjoy your boat safely. While you wait, let us help you improve the performance of your boat. In this guide to boat care, we'll cover the basics. We'll show you how to keep your boat in good condition, provide ideas for cleaning your boat, reply to some of the most common questions and many more. If you take good look after your boat you'll enjoy a day of sun and sea whenever the mood strikes. WAYS TO MAINTAIN YOUR BOAT Generally speakingthe process of maintaining your boat involves keeping your boat clean and well-lubricated. In the same way that you wouldn't drive your car without engine oil but you don't want to take your boat on ride with no proper fluid levels. Similar to that, you're probably aware elements of the weather and debris can damage the exterior of your vehicle over time. The same principle applies to boats. For instance, a fiberglass boat that has an unclean exterior is likely to turn chalky if one doesn't clean and wax it on a regular basis. To help you keep your boat clean and in excellent condition learn how to wash your boat in the next section. We'll also discuss proper storage options and boat motor maintenance. 1. CLEAN THE EXTERIOR It's crucial to keep the boat's exterior clean due to a variety of motives, apart from displaying its splendor. Aside from that, keeping your boat clean helps to prevent the spread of invasive species. There is no way to tell what animal or plant took a ride on your boat so it's important to wash your boat from time to moment to guard our waterways. A second reason to keep your boat spotless will help protect the structure of your boat , keeping the finish solid. Over time, the salt that comes from the ocean begins to break down leading to scratches and abrasions which could cost you a fortune and difficult to remove. Finally, a clean boat simply performs better. A dirty hull can increase the price of fuel by as high as 30%. Make sure to wash your boat on land to prevent polluting the water as much as possible. If you're required to clean your boat in the ocean choose safe products as well as avoid the use of toxic substances. In any case, wherever you clean your boat, you'll need to rinse it with fresh clean water in order to get rid of the salt. Do you not know where to begin in the process of cleaning? Here are some additional cleaning tips for various types of boat materials. Fiberglass: All fiberglass boat have a glossy gel coat finish that shields fiberglass from salt, sun and other weather elements. It's easy to tell if Gel coat finishes require focus when it appears to have a chalky appearance. To keep your fiberglass boat in good condition, make sure to wax or polish the surface with waxes that ensure the protection of the gel coat. You should apply an application of wax two times during the year, but preferably in the spring and before you put your boat away to be stored for winter. Alongside waxing your boat regularly, you should remove salt and dirt at the end of every trip. Make use of soap specifically designed for boats and a gentle brush sponge. Canvas:Canvas is an umbrella term that is used to describe the fabrics used for cockpits boats, boat covers and various areas of the boat. Properly maintained, it will keep your canvas in good condition and enable the material to last longer due to its waterproofing abilities intact. You can clean canvas using only a small brush along with mild soap and fresh water. If your canvas has the polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) windows never use ammonia-based cleaning products. Ammonia will harm the material in time, which is why it's recommended that you clean the PVC with a specific cleaner. Upholstery: There's a good chance you've got seats covered in vinyl on your boat because vinyl is long-lasting and easy to clean. You should regularly clean and wipe down the seats of your boat to reduce the buildup of dirt, mold and mildew. Take a sponge and moisten it with mild, soapy water. wipe down the seats to remove soap residue with a dry, clean cloth, then dry the seats with a dry, soft cloth. If you can, keep your seat covers covered or put away between outings. Woodwork: Though wood is often not so common in traditional boats, older boats may include woodwork on decks, handrails, steps as well as other areas that make up the vessel. Typically, these wooden elements are teak, which is the strongest tropical hardwood. https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/602277066/about can clean your teak at least once a week with the mildest of cleaners designed for teak. Making use of a soft bristle use a gentle scrub going across the grain to help keep it in great condition. 2. PROPERLY STORE YOUR BOAT A well-organized storage area is vital to keeping your boat safe from weather-related damage, particularly during winter season. The purpose is to keep ice, snow and rain out your boat, while giving airflow, ensuring that mildew doesn't grow. You should also prepare your boat for the possibility of a long period of idle so that it can function properly when it's time for you to go back out on the water. Here are some storage options to consider. Outdoor Storage outdoors is a very popular technique and allows boat owners to store their sailboats with the masts up. Outdoor storage requires an appropriate cover to shield boats from the harsh elements. The best option to keep your boat outside is to engage professionals to wrap your boat. Proper shrink-wrapping ensures your boat remains covered and ventilated simultaneously. You can protect your boat by putting a tarp over a wooden frame and placing this over the boat. Indoor: Outdoor storage can be an excellent choice because it protects your boat from the weather and the sun. If you don't have room to store your boat within your garage space, consider renting a storage room for the winter. Also, you could consider dry-stack storage. If you store your boat in a dry-stack storage facility it will be stored mounted on a dock in an enclosed building. Just be sure to select a safe building. At the sea: A lot of harbors provide boat storage in the water all year. Bubblers or desicers, which allow warmer water to flow from the bottom up to the surface, can protect your boat from freezing. A boat that is stored on water might be a viable option if you have an additional vessel or deep water. After you've decided where you'll store your boat, follow these tips to prepare the vessel to be stored. It will lessen the amount of work that you'll have to complete prior to sailing: Properly clean your boat. Replace hoses that are cracked. Lubricate spark plug holes. Replace inline fuel filters. Fill the tank to at least 90% , then the fuel should be stabilized with antibacterial substances. the fuel. Remove the battery and place it in a cooland aerated space. Remove all food, carpets and electronics. Clean the propeller and shaft and take a look at them for damage. Apply grease on the shaft. The drain plugs should be opened to allow the precipitation to drain. Do not close water faucets or valves. open. If the boat has refrigerator, be sure to keep it open. The engine, water lines and tanks with fresh water to get rid of the salt. Top off the antifreeze. 3. PRIORITIZE BOAT ENGINE MAINTENANCE There is no need to be a mechanic to maintain your boat's motor. When you take preventive actions, you can make sure your engine runs for a long time and you'll be able to preserve the worth of your boat. Prior to performing engine maintenance it's important to read the manufacturer's guidelines first. To help you there are some general guidelines for taking care of an outboard motor before every journey: Inspect for fuel and confirm that the fuel tank vent is open. Make sure the engine Mount screw clamps secure and secure. Make sure the water intake is free of any debris. Look over your propeller and look for signs of caught fish line and excessive oil buildup. After each trip whether it's in fresh or saltwater, you'll be required to flush the motor to clear away sand dirt and other debris. To ensure that you do this correctly, take these steps: Purchase "earmuffs" or a motor flushing attachment. Slide the earmuffs into the intake to connect to a garden hose. Start the engine and allow the water pump take care of the job. While you're cleaning the motor make sure that the water pump is working properly by observing the temperature of the water stream. The water shouldn't be hot and the flow should be robust. If the water pumps aren't functioning correctly, turn the engine down and plug a length of wire into the flow tube and remove any debris. Restart the engine and examine whether the water is flowing -in the event that it is not working, if the output is still low then it's the right time to replace your water pump. When you have flushed the engine, disconnect the fuel line. Let the engine burn all the fuel in the carburetor. Turn off the ignition and switch to the battery. Wipe the area clean and spray with an anticorrosive agent. Replace the cowling and wipe it down. Maintain a canvas cover over the motor during excursions. Here are some more useful tips for maintaining your boat frequently: Replace the spark plugs when necessary. Always check for water levels in the fuel. Pay attention to the oil level of your engine. Look over the fuel lines for wear and cracks. Examine the propeller and engine belts for wear. change them as required. Replace the damaged fuel hoses. Check the fuel primer bulb for cracks. Inspect clamps for rust. Check that the vent in your tank is clean and free of blockages. SALTWATER BOAT MAINTENANCE Salt increases corrosion, therefore it's essential to follow an upkeep routine when you go out on saltwater. There are two important actions you must complete following the exposure of your boat to seawater. Try to complete these at the earliest possible time following exposure to saltwater as soon as you can, or even within 24 hours. Get your boat clean: Clean your vessel with water that is fresh to remove dirt and salt, and also protect its finish. You'll also want clean your seats with soap and water to eliminate dirt and salt. If salt is left on your vessel for too long, it's likely to begin corroding metal components. Flush the engine: It is important to clean your engine with water that is fresh as soon as you can. In this way, you will avoid corrosion in the interior of your engine and will prevent water from accumulating in your lower unit. If you own an outboard motor flush your motor according to the maintenance tips for engines. If you have an inside boat engine, it is easy to remove the motor from the water by following these steps and using an internal motor flusher Install a hose on the motor's aerator. Place the flusher over the water intake hole. Turn on the engine. Let the water flow through the engine while it runs. See the water gushing out. Once the water runs and clears, you'll recognize that your engine is clean. Shut off the engine, as well as the water supply. Finally, remove the hose. BOAT MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST We've already covered many of the steps to maintain your boat, from prepping your boat to store it in your storage area to flushing out the engine. In order to simplify the process further, we've created this basic boat maintenance checklist. Examine the items included on this list as often and often as you are able and you'll be able to enjoy peace of mind during your journey. Engine Every now and then, look at your engine and search for cracked hoses. is a must to replace promptly. Inspect for corrosion, and ensure that the outboard motor is in a secure position. PropellerThe? propeller plays a vital role for efficiency and fuel economy. If you have an outboard motor or stern drive Make sure you inspect the propeller before starting. Verify that the propeller's nuts is secure and tighten it using a large socket wrench in the event of need. Inspect for any damage, such as tiny dents, that may lead you to produce more gas. About once per year, you should remove the propeller in order to grease its shaft, and ensure that nothing has become wrapped around it. Battery:Your boat's battery is the core for your vessel. Without the battery your engine won't begin and electrical components won't work. Maintain your battery and be sure to check it at least twice a annually, or more frequently during boating season. Be aware that batteries will degrade over time, so it's something you'll want to leave to chance. You can check the battery's charges using the digital multimeter. Then check the connections for corrosion. Use a wire brush to clean the connectors if you feel they need. A bilge pump Bilge: that part on the bottom of a boat that collects the excess water and the bilge pumps is the part that removes water off the bilge. If the bilge pump fails to function, your boat may sink. To ensure that your boat is afloat make sure to check the pump hoses for any debris that may cause obstructions. Also, consider adding another bilge pump. Electric linesThe electrical lines need to be in good repair to keep the electrical system of your boat operating or constitute a fire hazard. To stop electrical lines from falling apart, ensure they're clean and use a digital multimeter to make sure everything's working right. Filter and oil:Stay on schedule with changing the oil and oil filter. Not changing the oil could result in damage to engine parts. So, to alter the oil just let the engine operate for seven minutes then shut it down. In the next step, place a bottle under the drain connector. Pull the drain plug out and loosen the screw above. The oil will drain for about 30 mins. While you wait, replace the filter on the oil. Once the oil has been drained out to the drain, change the plug as well as tightening the screw. You can then fill the engine up with the correct oil. Other levels of fluid:To make sure your vessel is running correctly, be sure that you check regularly other levels of fluid, for instance, power steering fluid and coolant. Hull:Inspect the hull and check for blisters or cracks. Make sure drain plugs are on the right place. BOAT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 1. EVERY TIME YOU USE YOUR BOAT If you're planning to go live, make sure that you take the following steps: Inspect the oil, and top it off, should you require it. Look for damaged propellers. Check steering movement. Be sure to check the hull for damages and repair , if needed. The deck and hull should be cleaned. The bilge pump should be checked. Test the battery for adequate charge. Ensure the electric systems work effectively. Inspect the fire extinguishing mechanisms. 2. EVERY 20 HOURS Following 20 hours usage after 20 hours of usage, complete the following maintenance tasks: Verify the lower unit's level for fluid and then fill the tank with oil when needed. Treat the fuel using decarbonizer. Make sure that the engine has the correct RPM. Clean and protect the interior. 3. EVERY 50 HOURS Each 50-hour period of use You can add the following items to your list of tasks to be completed: Check fuel lines for degradation. Make sure to check the fluid in the steering system level and look for leaks. Wax and polish the deck and hull. Clean the filter of the bilge pump. 4. EVERY 100 HOURS In the event that you are unable to go for more than 100 hours make sure to take care of these things: The grease points should be lubricated. Take a look at the power trim tilt fluid and refill it if needed. Secure all bolts that are accessible and fasteners. Paint touch up. Check the engine mounts. Replace the impeller of the pump. Refill fuel and oil filters. Make sure to check the bow and stern eyes to ensure they are secured. Check the rub rail for problems. Professionally inspect your boat.