Boating Tips 5
- Maintenance Considerations
- Keep your boat's battery maintained. Keep it on trickle charge when not in use or charge regularly - always being sure of good ventilation, since battery charging produces potentially explosive gas. Make sure battery electrolyte levels are correct in all cells and replenish only with distilled water. Clean your battery's terminals and connectors with a solution of baking soda and water. You could also use a special post and connector cleaning brush, which scratches the lead clean with its wire bristles. Be sure not to get any electrolyte or dust from battery corrosion on your skin, clothes or in your lungs.
- Lubricate your steering cable. If you're lucky enough to have a single or double-parallel cable steering system that has a grease nipple right on the cable, be sure to make use of it! These cable systems otherwise tend to seize up after long periods of time and are expensive to replace. Be sure to use a marine grade grease, which is intended for very wet environments.
- If your engine is ever submerged, have it serviced immediately! Waiting even a day can be costly. Corrosion will occur while the engine is submerged and will accelerate when removed from the water. The water can be contaminated with corrosives, silt and other debris that must be purged. Immediately arrange for service, get the engine out and take it to the shop as soon as possible. Do not let the engine dry out on its own after being submerged.
- Storage Considerations
- Do have your boat and motor properly stored for the winter. There are special considerations with 2 cycle and marine engines. They have different lubrication systems and bearings than an average automobile engine. To prevent corrosion, it's imperative on 2 cycle engines that the internal parts are coated with storage sealant before resting for long periods. Otherwise, parts are only protected for a short period by quickly evaporating fuel/oil mix, then exposed long term to natural humidity and condensation from the air.
- Use fuel stabilizer when winterizing. Use a fuel stabilizer additive with your last tank of fuel before storage. This will prevent the remaining fuel from "varnishing" inside your fuel tanks, hoses and carburetors.
- Do have your boat and motor properly stored for the winter. There are special considerations with 2 cycle and marine engines. They have different lubrication systems and bearings than an average automobile engine. To prevent corrosion, it's imperative on 2 cycle engines that the internal parts are coated with storage sealant before resting for long periods. Otherwise, parts are only protected for a short period by quickly evaporating fuel/oil mix, then exposed long term to natural humidity and condensation from the air.
...continued on Boating Tips 6: trailering.
These tips are only general guidelines. Safety under the circumstances of operation is at the sole discretion and responsibility of the boat operator. Please be in control at all times and review all the operator/maintenance manuals for your equipment.
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