Our boats require routine maintenance to run smoothly and safely, just like our cars do. Whether you go boating on lakes, rivers, or the seas, with proper boat care and maintenance, you can expect your vessel to last a long time and provide many memories.

Beyond just giving your boat a visual inspection before each trip, maintaining your boat properly is essential. Additionally, you should take care of your boat after each outing and keep a regular maintenance schedule. Fortunately, most boat owners can handle many maintenance-related tasks without the help of a mechanic. To ensure that you can use your boat safely, we advise calling in the experts if you do discover that you need help or a significant repair. Let Summit Racing assist you in getting the most out of your boat in the interim.

How to maintain your marine craft

Monthly Washing

Mold development can be avoided by keeping your boat clean both inside and out. Cleaning your boat frequently is preferable to attempting to stop the spread of mold because it can be a sneaky problem. Use caution when cleaning your boat with abrasive chemicals because they can damage the gel coat. Your boat will remain in excellent condition and operate properly if you detail it once or twice a year.

Cleaning your boat every two weeks instead of once a month is preferable if you want to keep it in top condition all the time. You should wash and clean the exterior of the yacht from top to bottom. Eliminate any dust, bird poop, or smudges. Additionally, you can remove the canvas covers and clean the upholstery.

Wax your boat

Maintaining a clean, well-lubricated fiberglass hull on your boat is one of the simplest ways to increase its performance. When fiberglass is not regularly waxed, the gel coating becomes chalky. Before putting on a fresh coat of wax, it may also be beneficial to dewax the previous one.

Boats don’t have a clear coat as cars do, so maintaining your watercraft with the right wax is essential to its longevity. Without a wax sealant to keep the boat from oxidizing, it will deteriorate quickly and be much more expensive to fix than to have it properly waxed initially. Every six months, the exterior of the boat should be waxed from the waterline to the rub rail for maximum effectiveness. 

Remove moisture on your boat

Grab a towel and clean your boat off after an enjoyable day on the water. Persistent moisture can lead to stains, corrosion, mildew, mold growth, and other problems. Drying off any extra moisture will extend the life of your boat. 

Your boat’s exposed metal parts are susceptible to corrosion and rust. When you can, dry the metal attachments and check them frequently for corrosion. You should also inspect the engine of your boat for corrosion. You should routinely flush your engine to prevent corrosion and a host of other engine problems.

Change oil regularly

To find out how often you should change your oil, consult your manual. Typically, you should change the oil after 100 hours of use.  There aren’t really any quick-lube shops for boats and other watercraft, so you should take your boat to a licensed expert or a dealership with a service department.

Check your propeller

Never neglect to perform a complete propeller inspection. Your propeller may experience a variety of problems, so you should periodically remove it throughout the boating season and inspect it.  It’s acceptable to have scratches or paint that is missing, but professionals should handle major dents or other impact-related damage. If not, it might result in decreased performance and increased fuel usage. Checking to see if your water intake is clear of obstructions is a great idea at this time.

A fishing line getting tangled around your propeller is a frequent problem. If this occurs, you should request that your dealer check your gearcase to look for any leaks. 

You should add waterproof grease after checking your propeller, then replace it in the same order that you took it out.

When it’s not in use, remove your battery.

Batteries do not last forever, but you can extend their life by removing them when your boat is not in use or being stored. It should be cleaned, charged, and kept somewhere it won’t be susceptible to weather changes and temperature changes.

Take your boat for maintenance

Before the boating season starts, you should have your boat serviced. You should also have it maintained whenever problems like a dented prop, engine corrosion, or even an oil change occur.  You should make a call in advance and schedule an early arrival when bringing your boat in for maintenance, spring servicing, or winterization.

Many of your yacht’s systems must be in good working order for you to enjoy your sailing. Air conditioning, pumps, exhaust, air intake, batteries, coolant levels, fuel, and lubrication are among the frequently used systems.

Clean the bottom of your boat.

The boat’s bottom should be routinely cleaned of barnacles.  A clean, smooth hull is essential for a yacht’s long-term upkeep and efficient operation. To make sure the boat is free of barnacles, different kinds of algae, and marine life, this usually involves a diver cleaning the hull from the water line and below. Keep in mind that a higher current area may lead to more frequent growth and a greater need for cleaning.

You can get your wax, oil, and spare parts at Summit Racing.