Basic maintenance tips for your Hunts Marine boat
Owning a boat is a lot of fun, but as with any relationship in your life, it requires a little work. Whether you've purchased a new or used boat, you want to keep it in tip-top condition for as long as possible. To avoid ending up with a rust bucket, you'll need some elbow grease. Keeping on top of maintenance and repairs will keep your boat (and the good times) chugging along smoothly. Here are some key steps you should take to maintain your boat's good condition.
The single most important part of boat maintenance is washing your boat.
Wash, wash, wash your boat
The single most important part of boat maintenance is washing your boat. Every time you take your boat to sea, you will need to rinse it off with freshwater afterwards to remove any salt residue. Salt is highly corrosive to metal and boat finishes, and it can even stain glass.
To wash your boat properly, you should only use detergents and washes specifically for boats; avoid strong, chlorinated cleanser at all costs, as they are too abrasive. Similarly. a spray wand or soft-bristled brush will do the job when washing down - anything too stiff could do more harm than good.
From sea change to oil change
Just like with your car, changing your boat's oil is crucial to good maintenance. As a rough guide, your boat's oil should be changed after every 100 hours of operation. Using an oil geared specifically toward your boat is strongly recommended.
Proper boat maintenance is key to getting the most out of your vessel. Proper propeller care
Make a propeller check part of your pre- and post-launch routine. Each time you come off the water, check your boat over for nicks and dents, giving particular attention to the propeller. Inspecting and cleaning the propeller and propeller shaft is of paramount importance, as marine growth and grime can build up on the propeller and affect the performance. Dents in the propeller can also cause performance problems and negatively impact fuel efficiency. Every now and then, remove the propeller and check that fishing line or other materials haven't become wound around the shaft.
Service centred
Getting a service from the experts is important in prolonging the life of your boat. Your boat will be in expert hands here at Hunts Marine, tended to with all the latest tools and software, and with a three-month warranty on the work we do for you. If it's been a while since your last service, come in and see us today.
