This is a question many people ask, and are yet not entirely sure about it. Because it isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ subject. Some need 2-3 times per year, some need just a once a year service. The difference is in maintenance versus servicing. We need to look at a few things to help clear our thoughts about it and some hopefully, helpful tips along with it.
If you’ve ever owned a car a day in your life, you would know that you need to know that if you do not take it to the garage for a regular service or do it yourself, it may not run as well as expected and you may just ruin it by driving it with problems still in it. Boats are exactly the same. Albeit with different components and service frequencies.
As with all things in life – if you don’t look after it, you might just lose it! Taking your boat to a reputable and reliable boat service and maintenance hub regularly may just save you a whole lot of trouble and unnecessary expenses. Family owned boat company Jerry’s Majestic Marine service & storage, is one of those type of reliable companies that guarantee to look after your precious possession all year round and with any possible services you may need. They are one of the most reputable companies and are proud to boast this because they have been in the boating service for since 1984 and are really a one stop go-to, when it comes to boats.
Not all boating companies have all the required services under one roof. But with a choice of everything from buying to selling new and used boats, to a fully kitted service department, winter storage indoor and weekly washes. Why bother looking elsewhere?
As we have established, doing regular preventative maintenance will not only extend the life of your boat but it will also make sure that its safe to be on, especially for times when you take both your family and friends out.
What are the things boat service stations check and fix for you?
Besides the most basic tasks of cleaning regularly and lubricating every nook and joint, there are some holistic things you need to always keep in check and as mentioned above servicing your boat at least one a year should do the trick of a happy sail. The cost of getting your boat serviced seldom exceeds 10% of your boat’s costs: https://www.myoccu.org/learn/true-cost-owning-boat/2017-03-06
In a nut-shell, when you take your boat to get serviced, a few of the many things that will be thoroughly checked or repaired are below.
Your boat engine or outboard motor: this will be serviced for things like replacing spark plugs, (and you should always carry an extra set of these on your boat as well). The outboard motor is your own way to power your boat so making sure its 100% in working condition with no glitches, should be your first priority.
The water pump: is checked to make sure its clean and there is nothing restricting it from discharging the water.
The battery: this one can be a tricky one. As with all batteries for most devices, they run out. Ever seen a boat stranded in the middle of the water with nowhere to go because their battery failed? If you want to avoid such a scenario for yourself, its important to charge it regularly. When you take your boat for a service the engineers check that the battery is fully charged, and that it is topped up with purified water. They also check that the wires or connections are not lose or worn out and replace them if need be.
Fuel and Fuel lines: are checked to make sure they are not broken or have leaks.
Oil Levels and clarity: same as with the fuel, the oil is also checked between 3 to 4 times a year. Similar to cars, the oil colour needs to be clear and not murky or polluted. The level is also checked making sure that its correct and not over-filled as this can cause damage. Checking the oil level is a crucial component. You can learn more by about changing oil in boats here.
Checking the prop: A very common things that boat owners complain about is fishing lines and garbage, getting stuck in their propellers. Servicing makes sure that this is not the case for your boat, because this will cause your boat to use up more fuel than is necessary.
Check the hull: Perhaps one of the important reasons to take your boat to a service is to make sure it’s ‘hull’ is not damaged. Both outside and inside, which can cause water to leak through it. And of course, checking the bung plugs, making sure the pumps are working properly, and that the navigation lights are working as well, is all part of the routine.
Finally: all the joints and connections need to be checked, if all the cables are secure, your trailers rollers are in working order, and also checking all the ropes for possible wear and tear are amongst a few other things.
As you can tell it’s an extensive and important list to go through everything and make sure its in all working order. Servicing, therefore is crucial.
