Boat engines are machines that require regular maintenance to prevent them from ruining your plans for a day on the water. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a boat engine mechanic to ensure that your boat runs smoothly every time you step onto its deck. Making a little extra effort to maintain your boat before your planned outings goes a long way toward reliable performance and eliminates the worry that the engine won’t turn over.
At Bretz RV & Marine, we want you to enjoy your boat as you intended to when you bought it. Here are some tips for basic maintenance to get around common issues that can stop a boat from working properly.
Check the Battery and Cables Before Every Trip
Marine batteries are heavy-duty stores of energy that withstand a lot of the issues that would affect a traditional deep-cycle battery. However, marine batteries often face corrosion, as they’re stored in a humid environment. Moisture and heat cause batteries to break down quicker, leading to a crust on your battery terminals and cables. The crust, known as corrosion, impedes the transmission of electricity to the boat’s electrical system and can prevent the engine from turning over.
Make sure to check the battery terminals and cables as part of your condition check before you turn the engine over. Corrosion can happen quickly, but you can prevent it with regular maintenance. Keep a wire brush, baking soda, and distilled water handy to scrub the terminals and cable connectors if you see any signs of corrosion appearing.
Check the Oil Level Before Turning Over the Engine
Boat engines are put under higher pressure and exposed to harsher weather conditions than car engines. That means gaskets, seals, and piston rings wear out quicker. The result is an engine that leaks or burns oil, depleting its reserves as it’s used.
Check the oil before you turn the engine over, especially if your engine is older. It’s not a good idea to turn an engine over with a low oil level, as this increases friction in the crankcase and other operating parts of the engine that rely on oil for lubrication. An increase in friction can lead to a catastrophic breakdown of the engine when you least expect it, so make sure to keep an eye on the oil level no matter how new or old your engine is.
Use the Right Type of Fuel
Boats can run on fuel that’s up to 10% ethanol, but it’s not recommended. Ethanol is an alcohol and destroys rubber and plastic parts when left to sit for too long. You can use gasoline blended with ethanol in your boat engine, provided you plan to use the boat regularly and burn down the fuel in the tank in a week or two. Otherwise, ethanol is only stable for 90 to 100 days.
If you don’t intend to use your boat on a regular basis, use marine-grade fuel for your tank. This eliminates the issues that come with letting ethanol-blended gasoline sit in the tank for long periods. Your boat engine will thank you by being responsive to turning over and lasting longer before it needs replacement parts in the fuel system.
Inspect the Propeller and Propshaft on a Regular Basis
Waterways are full of hidden debris and garbage that can wrap around your propeller and propshaft. Fishing lines, seaweed, and ropes have a tendency to wrap themselves around these parts and prevent them from spinning freely. Lifting the engine up out of the water and performing a visual inspection every few trips helps you eliminate these issues.
Propeller blade damage is another reason why you should pull the engine up for an inspection. The blades come into contact with debris that can nick and fracture them. Over time, this results in a loss of propulsion and makes it harder for your engine to do its job. A regular inspection helps you stay ahead of the damage and replace the propeller before it strands you.
Use a Marine-Specific Fuel Stabilizer
Using a fuel stabilizer that’s designed for marine engines and fuel tanks keeps the fuel stable and avoids something known as phase separation. Over time, fuel separates into two different liquids and eventually turns into varnish. Your boat’s engine will still turn over, but it won’t appreciate trying to burn bad fuel.
This issue affects carbureted engines more than electronic fuel injection engines, but running bad fuel through either is not recommended. You can avoid all these issues by pouring in a bottle of marine-specific fuel stabilizer. Make sure that you buy a stabilizer that’s formulated for use in boats instead of cars or trucks.
Make a Basic Maintenance Checklist
These must-dos and others like them help you enjoy your boat whenever you want and avoid a last-minute repair. Keep a clipboard with your checklist on your boat and make it the first thing you pull out before you put the key in the ignition. Over time, you’ll find the action becomes second nature and your boat starts up every time without issue.
Keeping your boat maintained in this fashion helps the engine last longer and makes winterizing a breeze. Everything is always in place, the fuel in the tank is correct and stable, and the oiling system won’t suffer from a lack of lubrication. You get to spend more time enjoying your boat instead of repairing it.
The Benefits of Dryland Boat Maintenance
At Bretz RV and Marine, we understand the challenges of boat ownership. We’re here to help you keep your boat and its engine in good working order and walk you through the steps you need to take for reliable operation. Get in touch with us when it’s time to pull your boat out of the water and get it ready for winter or prepare for the upcoming spring. We can winterize your boat or get it ready for the warm season so you can enjoy the nice weather on your favorite lake or river.
Second Battery (Marine) for Powering Inverter by Andy Arthur is licensed with CC BY 2.0
