How Often Should a Boat Be Serviced?

It’s a perfect sunny day, and your family is making the most of it on the lake. That is, until an engine issue interrupts your summer boating excursion. To say the least, you didn’t anticipate your blissful Saturday ending in a lifeboat rescue.

Fortunately, this situation is mostly avoidable with routine maintenance. New to boating life? That’s OK — we’ll give you all the info you need to know about when and how to care for your boat.

1. Annual service

Most boat engines need basic service every year, or every 100 hours of use. But that’s just a general rule of thumb, so be sure to check your boat owner’s manual for specific requirements. This basic service typically includes the following:

• Changing the oil and filter

• Changing the fuel filter element

• For outboard and sterndrive engines, changing the gearcase lubricant

• Replacing the spark plugs

It’s also helpful to check the power steering and hydraulic trim fluid, as well as the sterndrive belt (for sterndrive/inboard engines). This type of service is usually combined with winterization, and can be completed yourself or by North Texas Marine with personalized service. 

Our suggestion? Bring your boat to us for professional service by our trained staff. 

2. Routine maintenance

There are some regular tasks you’ll want to complete to make sure your boat is in “ship shape,” as they say. Here are some ways to care for your boat throughout the season.

Periodically:

• Inspect the primer bulb

• Check the fuel tank for damage 

• Check the condition of the fuel line and clamps

• Remove the propeller(s) to check the prop shaft for fishing line (which can wrap around the prop shaft and damage the seal)

Regularly:

• Clean and wipe down parts to prevent corrosion

• Check the water pump flow

• Flush out the engine

• Disconnect the fuel line to burn remaining fuel in the carburetor

• Lubricate all moving parts

3. Prevent fuel and battery issues

The most common engine problems are usually related to fuel or the battery. Luckily, we have a few tips to keep both in good condition.

Fuel maintenance

To prevent fuel problems, try to use gasoline with no ethanol, or at least use a blend with only 10% ethanol (E10). It’s important to remember that gas can oxidize and create deposits, so use a fuel stabilizer additive if your boat won’t be running for a week or more. 

Also, if your boat doesn’t have a fuel-water separating filter, you should install one. For diesel boats, prevent microbial growth by using a diesel additive. Check the sea strainer for clogging before every trip.

Battery maintenance

First, always use a marine battery as opposed to an automotive battery. The former is intended for marine use, and therefore is more robust and will last longer. Make sure the battery is secured tightly with a battery tray, and regularly check the battery terminal connections for corrosion.

4. Use your boat regularly

Have big plans for boating season? Once it’s in the water, life gets in the way — you’re busier than expected at work, or have family obligations. It happens to the best of us. 

But as with any vehicle, letting your boat sit unused is one of the worst things you can do for your engine. Even if you don’t have time for all the summer trips you planned, taking your boat out for a few hours a week will help keep the engine in good condition.

Need help with boat service and repair?

If it’s time to schedule your annual boat service, contact our Fort Worth or Gainesville service departments to schedule. 

Our marine technicians offer specialized service for your boat, motor, or boat trailer. We’re available to answer any questions you may have.