The engine is the heart of your boat — if you treat it poorly, you won’t have a functioning boat for very long. Performing routine checkups and understanding the basics of how it operates can save you from future headaches and can help you avoid dangerous situations. The last thing you want is for your engine to cut out on you while you’re in the water.
Read the Manual
You’d be surprised how many people haven’t read the instruction manual of their own boat or have lost the thing altogether. Don’t be one of those people. Specific boats can have specific steps that you may not be able to easily find the answer for, so having your instruction and safety manuals around that you can reference will make your life a lot easier.
The Post Trip To-Do List
After you return from your adventures on the water, you should perform a series of quick checks that will help prolong its lifespan and keep your engine running smoothly. These checks, in order, are:
- Flush the engine
- Check the water pump for blockages
- Disconnect the fuel line and let the engine burn the remaining fuel in the carburetor
- Remove the engine cowling and check for fuel or water leaks
- Clean and spray all mechanical and moving parts with anti-corrosive spray
- Replace the engine cowling, then clean it
If you follow these steps every time you return from an outing on your boat, you can save yourself a lot of time and money in repairs.
Get Outside and Have Fun
One other aspect of keeping your engine healthy is to use it! We hope that you enjoy your time on the water and create some awesome memories. If you have any questions about your engine, or boats in general, get in touch with us today.