It’s officially boating season, which means it’s time to make sure your vessel is in great shape. After all, you don’t want to get out on the water and discover there’s a problem. Clark Marine Sales has created this guide with some important boat maintenance tips. Keep reading for more information. If you’re still searching for a boat, visit our dealership to browse our inventory. You’ll find us in Franklin, Tennessee. We look forward to serving you!

Get It Nice & Clean

You might not consider cleanliness to be a part of boat maintenance, but it should be included in your routine. Believe it or not, a thick layer of dirt and grime could easily be hiding some major issues that need to be dealt with. 

You’ll want to clean both the interior and exterior of the vessel. Be on the lookout for any cracks in the gelcoat, malfunctioning controls, or mildewed vinyl. Don’t forget that pest infestation is quite common during the colder months. If you’re cleaning your boat for the first time since winter, you might find some unwanted critters that need to be removed.

Inspect Battery & Engine

Another important part of boat maintenance has to do with the battery and the engine. You’ll want to confirm that both of these are in proper working order. Take some time to address key components. For example, you should lubricate spark plug holes, replace any hoses that are cracked, change the oil, and add fresh fuel to the tank. You can use a multimeter to determine if your battery is still holding a good charge.

Check The Propeller

Your boat’s propeller also needs to be in good condition, so you’ll want to inspect it for damage. You’d be surprised how easily dings and scrapes can happen without your knowledge. Some are minor while others can affect how your propeller spins in the water. You’ll also want to check for any oil buildup, algae, or fishing line that might be tangled in the propeller.

While there are many repairs and maintenance tasks you can handle by yourself, a time might come when you need professional assistance. If you’ve run into a complex issue that you can’t seem to solve, you can count on the service team at Clark Marine Sales. Our experienced technicians are committed to providing you with quality service work you won’t find anywhere else.

We hope these boat maintenance tips have been useful. If you have any questions, be sure to contact us at Clark Marine Sales. Our staff would be glad to assist you with your boat servicing needs. We’re conveniently located in Franklin, Tennessee, near Nashville and Murfreesboro.