With the boating season still in full swing, it’s an important time to check your motorboat to ensure you can make the most of any sunny days and limit any nasty, expensive surprises. Regular upkeep not only extends the lifespan of your vessel, but also ensures safety and optimal performance, giving you peace of mind out on the water. Below we have provided some handy mid season motorboat maintenance tips to keep your boat running smoothly:
Motorboat Engine Maintenance Tips
The engine is the heart of your boat so before starting it up, take a moment to open up the engine room to check belts and hoses for any cuts, splits or chafing. Look out for oil or coolant leaks hiding down in the shadows.
However small they appear, prompt attention is vital. Check that the engine oil levels are sufficiently topped up by dipping the tanks and top up if necessary to keep the level between the ‘max’ and ‘min’ marks. Some engines have fresh water cooling systems as well as raw water therefore it’s important to top up with water/anti-freeze fluid if required to avoid system breakdown. Cleaning or replacing the water pump impeller as per manufacturer’s guidelines can prevent overheating and potential engine damage which could bring a lovely trip to a grinding halt.
Motorboat Steering Maintenance Tips
Inspect the steering controls for any signs of wear and tear ensuring parts are replaced if required to aid smooth operations. It’s also well worth lubricating any mechanical parts.
Motorboat Battery Maintenance Tips
Boat batteries are crucial for starting the engine and powering electrical systems such as the fridge and bow thrusters so it is important to check their charge to ensure it’s what you expect. Battery terminals are also worth attention to prevent corrosion and visible wiring should be given a once over for any damage.
Motorboat Light Maintenance Tips
As the days are longer during the summer season, the desire to stay out on the water past sunset increases. As such make sure to spend a couple of minutes checking all navigation lights are working properly. Lights should be clean and visible, so replace any burnt out bulbs for safe night-time boating.
Motorboat Hull Maintenance Tips
It’s always surprising how much marine growth can find it’s way underneath your motorboat hull during the season. Why not make the most of the warmer water (no promises that it’ll be tropical) and take a dip with a snorkel to scrub the waterline and transducers to remove any slime and growth which has overwhelmed your antifouling. Only scrub hard antifouling as any other type will become less effective after being scrubbed and you will release biocide into the water around you. A clean hull will maximise boat performance and fuel efficiency. Whilst in the water, it’s also a good time to check that the propeller and drive leg are free of debris such as rope, weed, fishing line and plastic bags. A quick look to make sure all is well with your anodes will also do no harm.
Motorboat Topsides Maintenance Tips
Clean teak decks, topsides and superstructure with a quality boat cleaner to remove any salt deposits, dirt and grime. This will ensure finishes remain in good condition for longer. It’s particularly important to remove bird droppings as soon as possible as they can permanently mark surfaces. A good wax will protect against UV degradation.
Motorboat Safety Maintenance Tips
Your safety afloat is key and making sure all your gear is in good condition if the worst were to happen is vital. Check that all life jackets and other items of safety equipment are in good condition, serviced as per manufacturer’s guidelines and easily accessible to those onboard. The RNLI water safety team have a number of free lifejacket check events throughout the season which are well worth attending with your lifejackets.
These simple motorboat maintenance tips will hopefully help you to spot and rectify any potential issues before heading out on the water, maximising your enjoyment of your boat and keeping it in the best possible condition. We hope you have a great rest of season on the water, enjoying the sunshine…when it decides to make an appearance.
If your boat insurance is due for renewal over the summer months, our friendly team are on hand to provide a competitive motorboat insurance quote for your specific needs. As a specialist boat insurance broker, we work with a range of providers to ensure we can provide the right insurance policy to suit your boat and your usage. Click here for more information.