Keep your boat floating and functioning with proper maintenance. Here you'll find the most basic maintenance checklist you should go over before taking off into the water.

Refresh Your Maintenance Knowledge

Boat maintenance and care is serious business. Not only does it prolong your boat’s life, but it also contributes to less water pollution. As a seasoned boat owner, you probably already know all about caring for your vessel, but it never hurts to refresh your knowledge. If you’re considering owning a boat, this article will give you some general information on boat maintenance so you can prepare for what’s to come.

Safety Should be a Priority

You need to be sure that you have everything you need to stay safe before you hit the water. If you don’t have your safety checklist crossed out, you’ve got no business boating. Safety should be a priority. These are some of the things you should consider. Take a boating course: If you’ve recently entered the world of boating, a boating course will do you a ton of good. You’ll learn the basics of how to operate your boat and essential safety tips. Safety equipment: Before you set sail you need to be sure that there are sufficient appropriately-sized life jackets for everyone on board. Remember children and adult life jackets are not interchangeable. Check that your fire extinguishers are full and functioning. Clean the anti-slip grips to make them visible to everyone. Fasten the guides and safety rails. You also need to pack an emergency box, which needs to include: a battery-powered radio, flashlights and spare batteries, flares, a whistle, rope, and a first aid kit. Let someone know your plans: It might be relaxing to leave society behind and just spend a day on the water, but you need to make your plans known before you go. Give your family or friends a copy of your itinerary. Include the coordinates of the location you’ll be heading, if you know it. You should also give them your approximate arrival time, so they can let the Coast Guard know in case something goes wrong.

Basic Maintenance

Refill the Fluids: Just like cars do, boats need several fluids to function and keep you out of trouble. Be sure that there is enough engine oil since it’s the primary fluid that your boat needs to keep on going. If you don’t remember when your last synthetic oil change was, waste no more time in getting your AMSOIL marine oil. Not sure which marine oil is right for your engine? Call San Pedro Synthetics at (707) 567-7509 to get some recommendations. Or you can just explore AMSOIL’s marine line until you find what you need. You also need to check the hydraulic steering fluid, which helps you steer your boat to safety. It’s necessary that you check the coolant level too and refill it according to the owner’s manual recommendations. The stress levels marine engines go through combined with the heat from the sun, make the engine reach extreme temperatures. The coolant is crucial to help lower the scorching heat in your engine. Check the propeller: Boaters often overlook the propellers, but they should be part of your pre-boating routine. Many elements in the water can damage the propellers. Things like small pieces of debris or even some discarded fishing line can cause dents or nicks. There won’t be any problem if some of the paint is chipped off, but any other noticeable damage can reduce your boat’s performance and burn off more fuel. Lastly, make sure to spread AMSOIL’s Water Resistant Grease on the propeller’s shaft to prevent corrosion from forming. Wash your boat: Washing your boat is not merely to maintain its good looks.  If you boat in saltwater, the salt residue can corrode all types of hardware, metals, and fasteners. Salt also affect your boat’s gel coat. When you shop for marine soap, be sure to look for an eco-friendly option. Take some time to examine your boat while you wash it; this is the perfect occasion to search for any damage.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change in San Pedro to Keep Your Boat Functioning

Follow these crucial safety tips before you leave for your boating trip, so you can spend your day relaxing. Something as simple a synthetic oil change can make all the difference in your engine performance. Don’t end up stranded in the middle of the water because you forgot to change your marine oil. Try AMSOIL’s HP Marine Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil or their 10W-30 Synthetic Marine Engine Oil for your 4-stroke engine. You can get all your supplies online, or by calling San Pedro Synthetics at (707) 567-7509.