How Do I Maintenance My Motor Boats?

1. Replace spark plugs as needed.
2. Regularly check for water in the fuel.
3. Keep an eye on the engine’s oil level.
4. Check the fuel lines for cracks and wear.
5. Check the propeller and engine belts for wear, and replace them as needed.
6. Replace damaged fuel hoses.

How often should you do maintenance on a boat?

As with anything else, regular routine maintenance will prolong its lifespan. How often you service your boat is dependent on how often you take your boat out, as in how many hours you rack up. The rule of thumb is to service after every 100-hour interval .

What maintenance should be done on an outboard motor?

Regular Maintenance

Periodically check the fuel line for cracks and worn spots . Make sure the fuel primer bulb is not cracked and is pliable. Make sure the fuel-line fittings seat properly and don’t leak. Check the clamps on the fuel line for rust or corrosion.

How often should you take your boat out of the water?

Depending on the water conditions in your harbor, you’ll probably want to haul your boat out every two or three years to repaint the bottom.

Why should a boat’s gas tank never be completely filled?

It’s important to never fill the tank of your boat beyond 90% full. This leaves room for gas to expand and avoids the potential for overflow . Ensure that all air vents and valves to the gas tank are open. After you’re done fueling, tightly replace the gas cap.

What is included in a boat tune-up?

Engine Tune-Ups: This service includes compression and spark tests, spark plug replacement, fuel filter replacement, greasing all fittings, and performing a test run . Pricing depends on the horsepower rating of your outboard motor. Please note that these prices do not factor in the cost of materials.

How often should you check your boat engine oil level?

Check the oil and fluid levels before every outing . Change the oil according to the owner’s manual. As the engine ages, increase the frequency of oil changes.

How often should you change spark plugs on an outboard motor?

Some boaters are adamant about changing their spark plugs every year or 100 hours. PartsVu recommends religiously inspecting your spark plugs annually or every 100 hours, replacing them if they are fouled or damaged, and always replacing them every 300 hours .

How long should an outboard motor last?

A typical estimate from the industry is that an outboards motor last around 1,500 hours of operation. Assuming the average owner uses their boat 200 hours a year, this would mean that the motor would last between seven and eight years .

How often should you grease your outboard motor?

If you use your outboard regularly, I’d be undertaking this maintenance every month or so. Even if your boat isn’t used much, heat from sitting in the weather and over time, the grease can degrade, so once every three months would be advisable.

When should an outboard motor be serviced?

After a long winter indoors, it is likely that your outboard motor won’t start first time. It is imperative that in order to maintain optimum performance, you should have your outboard engine serviced annually or after 100 hours of use, whichever comes first .

How do you grease an outboard motor?

Can I leave my boat in the water all summer?

You can leave the boat in the water all summer . But there is always a risk involved in storing the boat in the water than dry storing. However, by taking appropriate measures like bottom paint, barrier coat, tilting the outboard up out of the water, etc., you are less likely to cause damage.

Can I leave my boat in the water all year?

A protected boat can theoretically sit on the water all year long, or even longer than that, but this is usually not encouraged due to the damage and deterioration that can occur over time. If your boat is already damaged, you may need to sand the hull, refinish it, and apply a protective coating.

How often do boat owners use their boats?

How often should boat oil be changed?

Most manufacturers recommend you change your boat’s oil every 50 to 100 hours of operation . Sometimes this is translated to once every year, whichever comes first.

What is the problem with using your boat’s engine to drive it onto a trailer?

NOTE – While many people drive the boat onto the trailer, it isn’t advised. Using the engine to assist trailering erodes the ramp bed, can lead to debris being sucked into the engine, and can cause an accident ! Make sure you drain all water from the boat – the bilge, the live well, the trailer lights, etc.

How far do you back a boat trailer into the water?

When it’s your turn to retrieve your boat, back your trailer into the water until two-thirds of its bunks or rollers are submerged . Like launching your boat, you should keep your towing vehicle’s wheels out of the water unless absolutely necessary.

How do you tune-up a boat?

How do you check the hours on a boat motor?

How Do You Check Boat Engine Hours? Engine hours can be checked by looking at the hour meter for older engines . Engines built in the last 20 years will store the hours on the engine computer and can be read via the gauge or a diagnostic computer.

How often should I change my lower unit oil?

Most sterndrive and outboard manufacturers advise you to change the gearcase oil in your lower unit every 100 hours or once a year (whichever comes first). Clean oil is critical for protecting the heavily loaded gears in your lower unit and preventing expensive damage.

What should you do before fueling your boat?

Shut off all fuel valves and extinguish all open flames, such as galley stoves and pilot lights. Close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings to prevent fumes from entering the boat. Remove portable fuel tanks from the boat and fill them on the dock. Make sure that your fire extinguisher is within reach.

How should you approach a dock when the wind is pushing you away?

1. Approach the dock slowly at a sharp angle (about 40 degrees).
2. Use reverse to stop when close to the dock. Secure the bow line.
3. Put the boat in forward gear briefly, and slowly turn the steering wheel hard away from the dock—this will swing in the stern.

How do you know if your outboard spark plugs are bad?

1. Trouble starting the engine.
2. Engine hesitating or cutting out.
3. Loss of engine power.
4. Decreased acceleration.

How do you check a marine spark plug?

What is the difference between a Marine spark plug and a regular spark plug?

If you do,there is a marine grade plug. The only difference is that it is coated to protect the plugs from rust . Heat range are the same.