You’re an attentive boat owner. You make sure to stock
up on all of the right accessories, you ensure that you squeeze
the most out of every wax, and you’re always “on the spot” when it comes to
resolving any burgeoning boating issues that warrant your attention. Yet somehow, you still have that nagging feeling that you’re
forgetting something.
You’re not alone. No matter how much passion you have for
the art and science of boating, it’s only human to be forgetful. Sometimes, you
simply don’t know that you’re
supposed to be doing something simply because no one’s ever told you. This post
is aimed at curing that “nagging feeling” to help ensure that you don’t have
any blind spots when it comes to effective boat care.
1. Washing off salt
water
Commonly referred to as a “washdown,” this simple act of using fresh
water to clean off potentially damaging salt water is certainly the norm
amongst experienced boat owners. But for beginners, it’s often a different
story. If you want to maximize the lifespan of your boat and you frequently
take it out on salt water, you’re going to want to wash it down after every
use. Failing to do so could lead to corrosion—corrosion that’s impossible to
fix after it reaches a certain point.
2. Battery maintenance
Every battery needs good care if it’s going to last a long time—from your
car battery to the battery that charges your tablet. Your boat’s battery is no
different. Avoid over-charging, as most batteries tend to lose capacity over
time if they’re over charged. Make sure to inspect your battery every so often to
ensure there’s no damage, as well. You don’t want to be caught in an unexpected
situation with a damaged battery.
3. The Kill Switch
Lanyard
One of the most overlooked objects on your boat, yet it’s
incredibly important. Some people have run into trouble and thought their
engine wouldn’t start because of a bad kill switch lanyard.
4. Winterization
Forgetting
all about winterization is more common in places where winter isn’t always a concern, but certainly can be. Be sure to scrape off barnacles
and check the hull for cracks and damage, prepare the inside of your boat and
make sure it’s clean, change your oil and filter, and to flush the engine with
fresh water and raise it so that any remaining water drains out. You’ll want a
dry boat before winter to avoid—of course—ice doing any damage.
How do you avoid forgetting steps when it comes to boat
maintenance? We recommend setting up an email reminder for yourself—have it
send you an email every few months, weeks, or seasonally depending on the
activity. This will essentially serve as a personal assistant reminding you of
when it’s time to ensure that your boat is in the best possible shape—including
even those small details that many people forget about.
