Whether you own a small boat you use for fishing, a sailboat, or perhaps a luxury yacht you like to take out for a spin now and then, it is important to make regular maintenance part of your plan of boat ownership. Just as you do with your home, performing regular maintenance in various areas will ensure everything stays in top condition. To make sure you are caring for your boat as if it were your home, follow these maintenance suggestions on a regular basis.
Just as you might hose off your home’s exterior or use a pressure-washer to knock off dirt and grime, you should do the same with your boat’s hull. Since the fiberglass gel coat found on many boats will oxidize and get a chalk-like appearance if not maintained, make washing and waxing a top priority.
If there is one thing you don’t want to happen, it is getting out on the water and finding your boat’s engine has died. To keep this from occurring, do a variety of things on a regular basis, such as replacing boat batteries and spark plugs, changing the oil, and other relatively simple maintenance tasks.
In your home, you would never think of not cleaning your furniture and other items. If you have the same attitude toward your boat, it will continue to stay in great shape. Therefore, while you’re busy looking at the engine and hull, take some time to clean your boat’s upholstery to get rid of dirt, mold, mildew, and anything else that may be present. Once you do, it will once again be a pleasure to sit down anywhere on your boat.
Even if you are very good at maintaining your home, there may be things you ignore from time to time, such as a dripping faucet or a leak under the sink. While you shouldn’t ignore these small problems in your home, you also should not ignore them if they are taking place on your boat. Whether it’s a small oil leak in your engine or a pump that seems to be getting clogged much too often, take care of these problems before what may be a small, inexpensive repair becomes a costly and time-consuming expense.
By having a regular maintenance checklist for your boat and treating it as if it were your home, you’ll have no unexpected and unpleasant surprises while enjoying a day on the water.
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