To keep your boat in good shape, you’ll need to perform maintenance consistently throughout the year. Luckily, maintaining your boat during the off-season is fairly easy and doesn’t require a lot of effort. To keep your boat in excellent condition, use these four tips for maintaining your boat during the off-season.
1. Clean Thoroughly
Before you store your boat for the off-season, clean both the inside and outside of the boat thoroughly. Cleaning your boat not only prevents damage and corrosion, but it also prepares it for your next outing. In the long run, cleaning your boat before storage will save you a lot of time and effort.
2. Store Safely
Weather during the off-season can be rough and unpredictable. This is the reason why it’s important to store your boat in a safe location. If you are unable to store your boat indoors, consider using a boat cover or tarp. However, if you decide to use a tarp, keep in mind you’ll need to place a protective layer between your boat and the tarp since it is made from abrasive materials that can damage your boat’s exterior. To ensure that your boat remains in tip-top shape, remember to store it safely during the off-season.
3. Maintain the Engine
Engine maintenance is crucial to keep your boat running smoothly. Engine maintenance includes inspections, changing the oil or transmission fluid, replacing spark plugs, and fixing any damaged or broken components. Waiting to fix your engine until after the off-season can result in more costly damage, so it’s best to inspect and maintain it before that time.
4. Conduct Inspections
The last of the four tips for maintaining your boat during the off-season is to conduct inspections. If you damage your boat before the off-season, it might be time to contact a marine surveyor to assess the extent of the damage. A boat inspection allows you to fix any damages ahead of time so that you can store your boat safely during the off-season.