Tips for Boat Maintenance

The final week of summer is finally here, and while that is a complete bummer, it also means that more people will be off the water and focusing on the maintenance of their boats. Before we know it the warm weather will be here soon and you want to be ready so you don’t miss a minute out on the water. Making sure your boat is in good health before the spring comes should be a high priority.

Below we’ll go into a breakdown of why now is the best time to get your boat maintenance and some tips you can do yourself to make sure your boat is in good standing.

Avoid The Rush

I don’t know about you, but I’m not the biggest fan of doing something when everyone else is doing it. Being put on waitlists, having to book in advance, it just never seems fun. Here in Florida, the snowbirds come down to spend their winters and often will schedule maintenance services on their boats they leave down here. This paired with people scheduling their maintenance in the Winter right before Spring causes a big push in the service department and can leave certain days completely booked up.

Avoid the Rush and enquire to have your maintenance works completed now whilst trades & services are not inundated. You can check out our services and book your appointment here.

Maintaining Performance

The wear and tear on your boat during the Spring and Summer may have caused some underlining issues you’re not aware of. Or if you know there’s something wrong with your boat the last thing you want to do is wait until it’s nearly Springtime to fix it. Not only does it stress you for time to get it done quickly, but some damage could be significantly worse if you let it go untreated for months on end. 

To make sure your boat is always in its prime keeping up with its maintenance in a timely manner is strongly encouraged. 

Some Key Services

Here at BLMG we have a vast amount of services we provide for our boating community. Here are a few that are popular to do over the Fall and Winter months to make your Spring more enjoyable!

1. 100 Hr Service: This yearly oil service is crucial for boat owners and many choose to do it off-season.
2. Electronics installation: If you’re looking to install new speakers, radars, or anything electronic our maintenance crew is ready to give your boat some major upgrades! At Black Label Marine Group, we offer a full line of electronics from manufacturers such as Garmin, Simrad, Joystick, Optimus, Yamaha Helm Master, Lewmar windlass, Track Vision, and more.
3. Shrink wrapping: This is the best means of protecting your boat from the snow and ice during those long, cold, and windy winter months. It'll keep your boat warm when the sun shines and dry on even the worst of days.

Here at BLMG, we guarantee all our work, meaning you can trust you will get the best service possible. We provide our customers not only quality service but also the confidence that their boat is in good hands. To view more of our services and descriptions of each one visit us here.

Planning Ahead & Basic Check List

Procrastination is not something you want to do when it comes to your boat. As stated before, beating the rush of people who book services in the Winter will help you be head of the curve when it comes to your boat maintenance and will help ease any stress or worry about your boat so all you have to do is look forward to fresh water in the Spring!

In the meantime, you can go over this basic checklist to see what services your boat may or may not need.

Please be aware, this boat maintenance tips checklist does not represent everything you should check on your boat but merely give suggestions of where you should start. Prior to working on your boat motor please consult one of our certified marine repair mechanics and also be sure to consult your owner’s manual for maintenance instructions specific to your boat model.

CHECKLIST:

Belts, Cables & Hoses

1. Always check for cracking that occurred during winter storage.
2. Belts should fit tightly around the pulleys to prevent slipping. A worn belt may have a black substance near the pulley & also may fit loosely.
3. Control cables with cracks or swelling on the outer layer may indicate a need to replace.  

Electrical Connections

1. Review electrical connections for cleanliness and tightness.  Check for corrosion which is often a sign that the connection may not be safe.  Remove terminals and use a wire brush to clean connections and cable ends.
2. Charge your battery and test it so you can be sure it will hold a charge. Electrical systems should be routinely inspected by a qualified technician.

Fluid Levels

Check all fluid levels including

1. Engine oil- Change the oil if this was not done during winterizing.  Include a new oil filter & change drive lubricants
2. Coolant
3. Power trim reservoir
4. Power Steering Fluid

Propellers & Hulls

1. Inspect propellers for damage.  Verify the propeller is properly secured.
   If you experience unwanted vibration, poor performance and damage to the propulsion system, your prop may be damaged & need to be replaced.
2.  Inspect the Hull – look for cracks & distortions. Clean the outside of your boat using an environmentally safe cleaner.

Fuel

1. Check your fuel lines for damage. Signs of damaged hoses can be either cracking, hard hoses, or very soft hoses. Remember to check fuel hoses, connections, and tank surfaces.
2. Ensure clamps and fitting are secured.
3. Ensure the engine, exhaust, and ventilation systems are also all functioning properly.

Safety Gear

1. Lifejackets need to be in good condition It’s important for passengers to have access to the correct size lifejacket for their body weight.
2. Onboard fire extinguishers must be the correct class for your boat, fully charged.

Trailer

1. Inspect trailer wheels, verify that tires are inflated to the proper level.
2. Check that trailer straps are not worn and are holding properly.
3. Verify that your trailer is the proper size for your boat.