Maintaining Your Boat

Boat maintenance is an important part of boat ownership. Keeping up with maintenance tasks helps keep your boat operating well, extends the lifespan of your boat’s parts, and reduces the need for repairs.

Here at The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales) we strive to make your life easier. We gathered up a few simple tricks that anyone can do, regardless of skill, that will help keep their boat in order. If you need more serious maintenance, bring your boat to our dealership in Branson, Missouri.

Keep the Hull Clean

If you want to stay afloat you’ll need a solid hull, and a dirty, barnacle-covered hull could be on its way to being compromised. These small things make the difference in the long term, so don’t ignore them. If your boat has been in the water for a while, start by scraping off the barnacles and any larger debris that may have stuck onto your hull. 

Next, take a heavy duty scrub brush and soap (or simply use a power washer) and scrub away any algae, dirt, and grime. Make sure to inspect the entire hull as you’re doing this, keeping an eye out for any cracks, fissures, or holes. Once you’re done, rinse it clean, squeegee it dry, and then remove the drain plug. 

Wash the Deck

Make sure to clean out the interior just as thoroughly as you clean the hull. Not only can dirt and grime cause problems, it can also harbor bugs and other things you don’t want to find when heading out for your next trip on the water. Start by removing any removable carpet to wash and dry separately. Then scrub and rinse out the rest of the interior, making sure to towel it dry completely. Only reinstall the carpets once they are completely dry to make sure they don’t get moldy. 

Stabilize Your Fuel

If you need to store your boat for more than a few weeks, you’ll want to add some fuel stabilizer to make sure it doesn’t separate and cause problems in your engine. Start by topping off the fuel, leaving just enough room for the amount of fuel stabilizer you need. This will make it so condensation doesn’t form in the gas tank which will turn into liquid water when you next go to start your engine. 

Add the correct quantity of fuel stabilizer for your amount of fuel, then top it off with any extra gas you might need, if necessary. You might need to consult your owner’s manual if you’re not sure how the mixture should work. 

Storing the Battery

Batteries will drain if left connected to an electrical circuit over time, so if you don’t want to kill your battery, you’ll have to store it separately from your boat. Make sure to remove it and store it in a cool, dry place. A battery tender will make sure it stays charged for as long as you need to store it. Remember that you should always use the necessary personal protective equipment when handling marine batteries. 

Want more boat maintenance tips? Need professional boat maintenance help? Whatever you need, the experts at The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales) are here to help. Contact us or stop by our dealership in Branson, Missouri. We also proudly serve those in Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri.