Some Best Practices for Maintaining Your Pleasure Boat

Owning your own pleasure boat can be one of the most rewarding experiences for you and your entire family, especially during the summer months when sailing or motorboating under a warm, blue sky feels like heaven. But boating doesn’t come cheap. Boats not only require a considerable amount of everyday maintenance, they often breakdown for one reason or another. 

When a serious breakdown occurs, it’s likely you will require the aid of a professional mechanic. You have a choice here. You can either wing it and Google “boat mechanics” with the hope that you will find the right professional for your job, or you can go right to the source for reputable boat mechanics on BoatPlanet.com. Only then can you find the right pros near you and your boat. You can also compare quotes from boat mechanic companies located in your immediate vicinity. 

The point however, is not to allow your boat to fall into disrepair in the first place. To accomplish this, you need to perform routine maintenance on a regular basis. According to a recent report by BestBoatingTips, without regular maintenance, a boat will fall into disrepair, ruining all your plans. It’s of the utmost importance that you take the required time to care for your boat to keep it performing and looking at its best. 

Here are some best practices for maintaining your pleasure boat. 

Cleaning the Exterior

The boat’s hull is said to be the largest and primary area to address. You will start your cleaning process with a gel coat. This is a durable finish applied to the hull by hand. It is not only cosmetically pleasing, but it protects the sensitive fiberglass from the damage caused by the sea and sun. 

Without routine maintenance, the gel coat will become cloudy in appearance and will degrade to a dangerous point where it is no longer protecting the fiberglass hull. Regular gel coat application will also prevent you from wasting countless hours and hard work restoring the gel coat to its original sheen.  

Cleaning the Canvas

Canvas is said to be a general “catch-all” term for heavyweight fabrics that can be found in sun shades, Bimini tops, and other similar boat coverings. If you wish to keep the material performing and looking new, it needs to be cleaned on a regular basis.  

You can begin the cleaning process by removing the canvas material from the sail or motorboat and laying it out on flat ground. It’s best to utilize a snap puller tool to remove the heavy-duty canvas snaps to prevent damage or tearing. 

Mild soap and water applied with a soft bristle brush is all that required to clean the canvas. Begin with the extra dirty areas first, including places where bird droppings have collected. After that use soap and water to clean the entire canvas. Finally, rinse and allow the material to dry in the sun.  

Maintaining the Engine

While it’s a best practice to strike up a relationship with a reputable boat mechanic, keep in mind that engine maintenance is expensive. However, you can save money and prolong the life of your boat’s engine by performing routine tasks by yourself. These tasks include inspecting your spark plugs at the start of each boating season and changing them out if required. 

You should also inspect all the belts, hoses, and engine clamps to make certain they are in proper working order. If you happen to notice torn or cracked hoses or belts, replace them prior to setting sail. If the engine mounts and clamps are showing signs of deterioration or rust, they too must be replaced. 

It’s also important to make sure your fuel tank is adequately filled, and the vents are set in the open position. 

Maintaining Your Boat Trailer

Says BestBoatingTips, if you plan on trailering your boat to and from select boat ramps before and after each outing, you need to perform some simple maintenance on the trailer. Prior to heading out, always check the trailer’s tire pressure. Add air if necessary. Check on the brake fluid reservoir to make certain you have adequate fluid.  

Inspect all your brake shoes or pads. Ensure they are in excellent working condition. Also lubricate your trailer coupling. Once every boating trip is finished, make certain the brakes, wheels, and other components that enter the water, especially if its salt water, are cleaned and dried. 

Boating is a rewarding and fun experience. But it’s only fun if your boat is properly maintained. Otherwise, you will be landlocked for the entire season.