Keeping Your Boat Well Maintained Is Important
Boat maintenance is a vital part of any boat upkeep. A lot of ships from any industry will need some form of boat maintenance. When companies say that they need boat maintenance, it usually means almost anything:
- Broken or static engines
- Peeling paints
- Bloated boats
- Or just a lemon boat in general
Boats need maintenance and upkeep for a myriad of reasons. Here are some reasons why you need it.
4 Reasons Why You Need Boat Upkeep
1. Avoid battery and engine problems
Battery and engine problems have been a prevalent issue in many boats. It can come from a series of pre-existing issues. Follow the simple steps below in keeping your boat well-maintained:
- Always replace the engine’s reeling battery with another marine battery. Choose one that has thicker plates and a more robust design. Try not to choose an auto battery to withstand the strong vibration and pounding a boat can deliver.
- Secure the marine battery with a good battery tray, which should at least have a base that is screwed or bolted to the boat. Or you can choose a rigid bracket or a locking strap to hold it to the base. You certainly do not want the battery smashing around in rough water.
- Frequently check the battery terminal connections to ensure that they are snug and free of corrosion. If you use the boat less than frequently, then use a maintenance-type battery charger to keep the battery fully charged between trips.
2. Prevent fuel problems
Using the wrong fuel may destroy your boat and its engine. Here are some tips when it comes to fuel problems:
- If possible, fuel your boat with gasoline that does not contain ethanol. If only ethanol-blend fuel is available, then make sure to only use fuel with up to 10% ethanol (E10). No marine engine is certified to operate on fuel with more than 10% ethanol. Try to by fresh gas from a busy fuel dock or gas station where you can.
- Use a fuel stabilizer additive if you don’t forestall using most of the fuel in your boat within a couple of weeks. Modern gasoline can begin to oxidize and form problem-causing deposits in the fuel system in just a few weeks. This is especially true in older engines fitted with a carburetor rather than fuel injection.
- Install a 10-micron water-separating fuel filter between the fuel tank and the engine. This can have a spin-off filter element. Many newer boats are already equipped with these filters. This can in turn keep water and very fine particles of debris out of the engine. Carry a spare filter element on the boat where you can.
3. Have a solid maintenance plan
It’s all in having a solid maintenance plan. Lack of a coherent plan makes it impossible for many marine operators to enjoy maximum satisfaction from their watercraft. Regardless of how prudent you are, a boat is an expensive transaction.
Buying one without having a plan on how to maintain and run it without spending so much money is a recipe for disaster. You will want to have as much information as you can get on the best boat for your budget range. Part of your investigation should include shopping for brands with a reputation for being trustworthy and easy to maintain.
There are boat brands that deliver optimal utility with light maintenance with OEM and off-the-market spares. Don’t buy a boat without thinking properly about the maintenance and other related costs. It’s the best way to avoid any costly mistakes.
4. Price as an indicator for long-term maintenance
Remember that selling a boat a few years after buying may end in a loss. Buy a boat you can own for at least 10 years so you can get the maximum value. The price of a boat usually gives a clue about the cost of maintaining it. If you wish to save money on maintenance, get a boat you or your company can afford. That way, it becomes easier to pay for any expenses that come your way.
The higher the price of a boat, the more expensive its parts and maintenance costs. It’s like owning a Porsche versus a Toyota Corolla car. The premium price of the former means every product and service attached to its maintenance will command high prices to reflect the vehicle class.
So, before you sign that contract to finance that boat, think about the accessibility of spare parts. Also, think about the technical knowhow. If you are going for the best boat on the market, make sure to budget for top dollar maintenance.
Conclusion
Remember that boat maintenance is as important. We are very sure that you do not wish to pay for an expensive boat upkeep long term. Therefore, remember to do really good research before committing. After all, you do not wish to get your hands on a lemon boat either!
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