Essential Checklist and Boat Maintenance Tips for Winter

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The warm spring and summer months are gone. But it doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Maintaining your boat in good condition can help you to prevent unnecessary repairs and frustration from dealing with a vessel that will not start when the temperature is warm again.

You should maintain your boat according to current or upcoming weather to avoid performance issues. Now, let’s go through some essential tips and checks that your watercraft needs to remain in tip-top shape until spring.

• Propeller Maintenance

When you buy new boats which come with an outboard motor, then you need to inspect the propeller for damage. First of all, take a screwdriver and check each blade. They all should be flat. After that, rotate the edges by hand and make sure they spin freely with no blocks. If you find any kind of damage, replace the propeller immediately.

• Check the Engine

Before putting your boat away for winter, you should make sure that your engine is in good condition. This can be a little bit complex but it surely helps to ensure that everything runs perfectly during winter.

• Inspect the Anchor

It may seem like an insignificant tip, given that you are not planning on going anywhere this season. However, it is still worth inspecting your anchor and chain. Make sure there aren’t any holes in the metal. If you feel something is wrong with its condition, replace it immediately.

• Change Oil

You should change the oil in your boat’s motor before using it during the winter season. Letting old oil sit in the engine can lead to corrosion and damage to the engine. 

• Flush the Cooling System

Use antifreeze to flush your boat’s cooling system. This will help prevent corrosion and potential damage to essential engine components. 

Make sure to drain all water from your boat’s cooling system before starting the engine again. After that, replace the thermostat and put a few shots of the engine flush into the cooling system to have an efficient cooling system for your motor.

If you want to keep your boat in good condition, consider getting your boat service from Premier Watersports today. For more information, visit our website.