How to Keep Your Boat Maintained and Looking Like New

Your boat provides you with loads of fun out on the water, so it only makes sense that you should give it some TLC in return. Regular maintenance will ensure that you aren’t stuck out on the river with an empty tank or a broken engine caused by simple malfunctions that you could have repaired on the shore.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to maintaining your boat, read this guide by the fine folks at The Ski Shack. We have locations in Springfield, Branson, and Shell Knob, Missouri, so if you have any serious maintenance concerns, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our trained technicians can quickly help you get sorted out and boating on the water once again.

Regular Washing

Washing your boat removes harmful saltwater build-up as well as oil residues, moss growth, and mud. A clean boat will operate better and move more smoothly through the water. The saltwater is particularly important to remove since it can corrode metal and dull gel coats and paint finishes over time. Use a special marine boat wash that is specifically intended for use on your boat’s unique construction. Scrub using a soft-bristle brush as you don’t want to scratch your boat using abrasive sponges or powders. Clean your craft in small sections to prevent the soap from drying on your boat and ruining the finish before you can rinse it off.

The washing process can be simplified by rinsing your boat frequently, preferably after every trip in saltwater conditions. Loose debris will be washed away before it can crust onto your boat and damage the finish. This step takes only a few minutes after each outing, but it will save you a great deal of time when it comes to thoroughly washing your boat as you won’t have as much to scrub off.

Propeller Inspection

Owners of outboard and sterndrive vessels should check their boat’s propeller on a regular basis. Use a deep well socket to remove the propeller and check it for loose fishing line wrapped around the shaft, which could necessitate professional attention. Look over your propeller for chunks or dents in its blades. These will require replacement because riding with a damaged propeller will cause further damage down the road, like loose bearings or weakened seals. Address any propeller issues as soon as you can to prevent damage to your boat.

Take Care of the Motor

No matter whether your boat has an inboard, outboard, or a sterndrive motor, you will need to give that motor some attention on a regular basis to keep its internal combustion functional and efficient. The most important component is clean and plentiful oil to prevent the parts of your engine from grinding against each other. 

Check the oil before each trip, ensuring that the level is within the guidelines specified for your particular make and model. Top off the oil as necessary. If the appearance or consistency of your boat’s oil is cloudy or viscous, this means it is time to get your boat’s oil changed, which is recommended after every 100 hours of operation.

Regular oil changes keep your boat’s motor running well, saving you expensive mechanic fees down the road. Checking the oil regularly can also let you catch problems before they get too serious. One good example of this is if you find metal shavings in your oil, which means that parts of your boat’s motor are grinding against each other. This is a problem you want to address as soon as possible.

Check the Battery

Last but not least, you’ll want to regularly check the battery on your boat to make sure that it’s functioning well. When you store your vessel for a long period of time, remove the battery and place it on a tender to keep it from discharging completely and make it last longer. A strong battery will work better and is less likely to malfunction on the water, which can be time-consuming and expensive to fix.

We hope that this guide to boat maintenance has been helpful. If you’re still in the market for a vessel of your own, check out our inventory of boats for sale in Springfield, Branson, and Shell Knob, Missouri. The Ski Shack welcomes all those visiting us from Nixa.