A Beginner’s Guide to Boat Maintenance

When you make a big investment such as a boat, you want to make sure that it keeps working smoothly for several years. As a responsible boat owner, there are some maintenance tasks that you can perform to keep your craft out of the repair shop and in the water where it belongs. You may not be able to prevent all wear and tear, but you can definitely keep your vessel in the best condition possible and enjoy much lower repair costs.

Inspection

As soon as you take your craft out of storage and remove its cover, a thorough inspection is necessary. Walk around the outside of your boat, looking for any damage to the hull you might have missed. Check the interior for signs of disrepair, like mold and mildew, or pest infestation. These issues will need to be addressed before you set sail. Hopefully, you cleaned up debris and trash after your last trip, but you’ll probably need to sweep the deck and wipe down the console due to a season’s worth of dust buildup.

Regular Washing

One of your key responsibilities is to rinse your vessel after each voyage. This gets rid of immediate grime buildup before it can become harder to remove. This step is crucial if you venture into saltwater since the salt buildup can corrode parts of your boat. When you are ready to start cleaning your craft, you'll want to rinse it one more time.

Wax Your Boat

It might not seem like a necessity to wax and polish your boat, but by following these two simple steps, you’ll be fighting sun rays that can cause long-term damage to your paint and exterior if you don’t do proper upkeep. Surely you don’t want to be cruising around on a dull craft, so take some extra time to wax your vessel at the beginning of every season.

Take Care of the Engine

Start getting in the habit of checking your oil before each boating trip. Confirm that the level is within the suggested guidelines for your particular craft and top off if necessary. If you notice the oil appears cloudy or sludgy, it’s time for an oil change. This is recommended for every 100 hours of operation.

We hope you found this boat maintenance guide useful! If you need any assistance, bring your boat to the service department at Shoreline Boat Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you get your vessel in top shape. We also have a range of boats for sale. Whatever you need, you'll find it with us. We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and Ripon, Wisconsin.