Home TECHNOLOGY Boat Repair And Maintenance: Everything You Need To Know

Boat Repair And Maintenance: Everything You Need To Know

by John Milton
Boat Repair And Maintenance

It is not every day that you get up and buy a boat. So, when you do, it is your responsibility that you are taking good care of it.

Like cars are the sole champion of the roads, boats are the only champions of the sea. While most boat owners know how important it is to take care of their boat, the ‘HOW’ is the big question.

Although the boat is used as a transport vehicle while you are out there in the sea, it also acts as a home. This is where your responsibility for taking care of it doubles.

This is why we decided to talk about boat maintenance and give you some interesting insight into taking excellent care of your boat.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about boat maintenance and will also cover topics on Marine Plumbing.

So, here we start!

Why Do Boats Need Repair?

Owning a boat means you can have a great time out on the ocean – win through your hair, sun on your back, and the majestic view of the open sky.

But, at the same time, it also means you don’t have a great time inspecting, maintaining, and fixing various parts of the boat once something goes wrong.

Hence, it is important that you value boat maintenance and always check your boat for any issues before setting sail.

Here are a few signs that raise red flags that your boat needs repair.

1. Overheated Engine

Boats do not use radiators like any car to cool down their engine. Instead, they use the ocean water around them to cool the engine. So, when a part of this mechanism starts to fail, you will find that your engine has started overheating. 

This usually happens when some debris blocks the flow of water. However, if there is no debris blocking the water flow, there might be some serious issues. 

Chances are –

  • You have broken the drive belt.
  • There are loose clamps.
  • That part of the engine is rusted.
  • Or the old engine has finally given up.

If you experience overheating problems, it is advisable that you call a professional and ask them to check the engine’s health.

2. Steering Problems

The steering problem is one of the main reasons why most boats collapse in the sea. The problem is related to the propeller. Possibilities are that the wheel is stuck and you can move it, or the propeller is severely damaged.

Sometimes, if there is low hydraulic pressure, you might face problems in steering the boat. But, if your hydraulics are working just fine, the problem is because of the leak in the hydraulic system.

If you are facing problems with steering the boat, you need a professional to look into the problem.

3. Sputtering Or Complete Loss Of Power

Feeling of your boat coming to a halt when you know that you have offered full steam can cause all boater’s hearts to sink. While this problem is usually related to out of gas, it can often be related to a problem that needs your immediate attention.

You might have problems with your filters, or who knows; your engines are broken down. There are many things that can go wrong when your boat suddenly stops.

Check for power supply! If the power supply is to the point, there might be some serious problem with your boat’s mechanics.

4. Water Leaks

No matter what type of boat you have, they all will take in some water. But, usually, this water is expelled using a bilge pump. That being said, if you find that your boat is taking in significantly more water than it can actually pump it out, you need repair.

The first thing that comes to mind is that this could be happening due to some addiction holes you are not aware of, and it is allowing ocean water to enter.

If the holes are not taken care of, you risk your boat sinking down to the ocean floors. To avoid such a dangerous situation, it is important that you put your boat on the ocean only after checking for any damage repairs.

5. You Feel Intense Vibration Coming Out Of The Boat

A little vibration from the engine and propeller is normal. After all, they are all machines with rotary parts. So, if they move, they are bound to create some sort of vibration. 

However, what’s not normal is the vibration is intense and intensified as you try to pick up the pace. Well, these kinds of issues are mostly associated with propellers.

Probably the blades are damaged, and when you pick up the pace, things get stressful for the propeller.

As the propeller is under the water, the damage is not visible. So, it is a good idea to take help from a professional.

Boat Repairs & Maintenance: Things You Need To Know

You might feel like boats are strong just because they can withstand the waves, but you cannot be farther than the truth.

The truth is that boats are sensitive and can be damaged pretty easily. Yey, the damage might not be visible from the outside, but they do need treatment from time to time.

If you are a boat owner, you need to follow a few maintenance practices.

1. Assessing The Level Of Damage

As we have already said, prevention is better than cure. Having said that, the next big question that comes to mind is how exactly do we assess the level of damage. This is where you will find the expertise in boat repairs helpful.

Well, it is obvious that running the boat through the strength and durability test will be able to give a concrete answer. But nevertheless, having experience and understanding of where the boat falls short goes a long way.

Experts believe that one of the easiest ways to assess the extent of physical damage is to just give a thorough physical inspection.

2. Core Repair

Most of the boat’s strength comes from its core infrastructure. This is why if there is core damage, the process of repairing it is a tedious task. 

The core damage of the boat usually happens because of the seawater affecting the full-fitting. The full-fitting area is filled with foam, light woods, and even aluminum honeycomb. If these materials are exposed to water, they start to deteriorate.

Repair the damaged core from time to time to ensure that you are regularly maintaining the core. This ensures your core lasts longer.

3. Electrical Maintenance & Repair

Like any other vehicle, boats also have electrical components that need to be taken care of from time to time.

Electrical maintenance involves the primary check of all the electrical connections working properly. This includes cable wire fitting and other electrical device fittings.

In addition, all the motors and blowers are checked for bearing clearance, energy consumption, and insulation.

4. Repair Procedure For Different Types Of Boats

The maintenance of different boats is different. One might wonder if the boats have the same mechanism and why their maintenance processes are different.

Well, the answer to that is boats might have the same engine working under the hood, but the overall infrastructure of the boat differs.

Different material means you need to follow different procedures to repair and maintain them.

Although Hull is fiberglass, there are different aspects when it comes to engineering. These different aspects are what change the procedure of maintenance.

Depending on the drive shaft, water jet, and the type of propeller used, maintenance experience can vary a lot.

Checklist Post Boat Repair

Once you have completed your boat repair, it is important that you go through the post boat repair checklist. It is just about getting the good habits in place and double-checking your boat for security reasons before sending it to sea.

This checklist can be followed by the most inexperienced sea explorers and used to their advantage to maintain their boats in top condition.

  • Equipment trial reports.
  • Boat trail reports.
  • Comparison of boat performance to expected performance.
  • Final check to see whether the boat is seaworthy.

Even if you feel that everything is okay with your boat, do not take it to the sea before checking the boat and its reliability.

Final Thoughts!

To sum it all up, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that prevention is better than cure!

If you practice preventive boat maintenance, your boat lifespan will increase exponentially, and you will face fewer problems related to your boat.

In addition, given the fact that repairing a broken boat can take a lot of time and investment, it is wise to keep things under control from the start.

If this is the first time you have owned a water vehicle, it is important that you hire a professional and ask them to teach you a thing or two about boat maintenance. 

We have tried to incorporate everything we know here. If there are any boat repair professionals reading this information, any suggestions? If so, drop them in the comment section.

Our readers will be happy to learn from other experts in the same field.

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