Boat Servicing Tasks You Shouldn't Overlook
When you own a boat, you'll need to work hard to keep it properly maintained and in good repair so that it's ready for the water at any time and to avoid major damage to the hull. As with your vehicle's engine, caring for the boat's engine properly will also ensure it has a long life, and that you avoid unexpected breakdowns while on the water. To ensure your boat is always in good repair, note some boat servicing tasks you shouldn't overlook when maintaining your boat and its components.
Sharpening the propeller blades
Sharpening the propeller blades will mean that they more easily slice through the water, which then prevents added stress on the engine. Dull and bent or chipped blades won't spin so easily and won't create as much propulsion, especially in choppy or rough waters, so that the boat's engine needs to work harder to push it along. Sharper blades will also cut through seaweed and other debris in the water, which also helps to protect the propeller and the engine itself. Examine your boat's propeller blades every time you take the boat out, and have the blades sharpened as needed, to ensure they work as expected.
Battery
When the battery of your car dies, the engine won't start, and the same is true of your boat's engine! However, many boat owners might fail to check the overall condition of the boat's battery, and don't replace or recharge it as needed.
Note, too, that electrical systems of the boat will draw power from the battery, so if you upgrade your GPS system, add lighting to the boat, or otherwise put added demands on the boat's battery, it's even more important to check it after every outing. It can even be good to keep a battery charger with the boat, so you can recharge the battery on a moment's notice, if it should unexpectedly fail while you're on the water.
Fluids
A boat's engine and other components will usually need fluids to operate; this includes oil in the engine, steering fluid, coolant and even fluid in the battery. These all need to be checked consistently for needed replacing. It's also good to note when it's expected that these fluids would need refilling, as very low fluid levels can mean that there are leaks in the hoses that deliver the fluids or in their reservoir tanks. These may then need repair or replacement, so that the boat's engine and other components don't lose all their fluid unexpectedly.