5 Ways to Care for Your Boat
By Mikkie Mills
Owning a boat is a lifelong dream for some people. There is a rush of excitement that comes when you have made that dream a reality. Having a boat is considered a big investment and it comes with a lot of responsibility. A boat is similar to having a car, you have to clean and maintenance it or it will stop working properly. If you take care of your boat it will run so much smoother and it will work for a lot longer. Think of it as an investment, the time you put into the boat will pay off because you will be able to enjoy it for a lot longer.
Here are 5 ways to make sure that your boat is in pristine condition for all of your boating adventures:
- Cleaning
Yes, owning a boat means that you will have to clean it after you use it. How often you clean it is up to you as the owner. Every owner determines how often they want to clean it. Some boat owners will clean the boat after each use and others will wait until the boat starts to look dirty.Cleaning your boat consists of both the interior and the exterior. To wash the exterior you will need some water and some excellent boat cleaner. To start out you will need to rinse the boat and then apply the cleaner. Rinse off all of the cleaner and let the boat dry. After you have done that you can choose whether or not you want to buff your boat or put wax on it to make it look shiny and new.
- Maintenance
How you maintain your boat will depend on what kind of boat and what model you have. You will want to change your boat’s motor oil frequently to prevent carbon, acid and slug build up in the engine. Also, keep in mind that parts for marine diesel engines should be checked and replaced if needed. The propeller of the boat is something else that you will want to look at frequently. Check to see if the nut of the propeller is securely attached. If it is not you will want to tighten it before you go boating. If you do not want to do maintenance work on the boat yourself you can always take the boat into a boat maintenance shop. - Storage
Similar to a car, you need to have a place to put your boat. This can be problematic if you live in a space that doesn’t have a big back yard or you live in an apartment or condo. But, you do not have to let your living space get in the way of you exploring the sea. There are outdoor boat storage places and also indoor storage places where you can store your boat. This is a great option if you do not plan on using your boat all year round. - Cleaning Products
This was touched on previously, put you will need to buy cleaning products that are specifically made for cleaning boats. You would never use car wash on your dishes and the same goes for your boat. You should not use dish soap on your boat because it will ruin the exterior of the boat.You will want to buy boat cleaning products. Different products can be found at boating stores and marine shops. It is up to the user to decide how much they want to purchase. Buffing and waxing can be expensive. If you don’t want to spend too much money on cleaning products, you can also use alternative cleaning products such as diluted vinegar.
- Usage
Getting your boat out every now and again will help the boat stay alive and running. If you leave a boat in a storage place for years the engine will start to rust and the rubber can start to disintegrate. Even if you get your boat out once a year and take it out for a short amount of time will keep everything from not falling apart.
How do you take care of your boat?
About Mikkie Mills: “I’m a Chicago native who loves to share her expertise about personal development and growth. When I’m not writing, I’m chasing the little ones around or rock climbing at the local climbing gym.” More articles by Mikkie.
