Scheduled Maintenance

As Halloween approaches, we’re gearing up for something even scarier than ghosts and goblins: boat maintenance. Those two ominous words, “maintenance required,” can send chills down any boat owner’s spine.

Owning a boat is a great privilege, but it also carries a significant responsibility – staying on top of scheduled maintenance and inspections. Some might find these tasks repetitive or unnecessary, but they’re crucial for preventing a minor $100 issue from snowballing into a $1,000 repair or for extending your engine’s life by hundreds of hours. Think of it as similar to car maintenance, where you change the oil, check spark plugs, and more.

The maintenance journey starts with the 20-hour inspection, typically done around the three-month mark or when you hit 20 hours of engine usage, whichever comes first. Every 20-hour inspection is vital, with the initial one being particularly important. Its goal is to ensure your engine is running smoothly without any irregularities. Essentially, it’s like changing the oil in your boat, and you should perform it every 20 hours or every three months.

Next up is the 100-hour inspection, which happens around your one-year mark of ownership. This inspection resembles the basic 20-hour one, but it involves checking belts, pumps, and filters to prepare your boat for the upcoming season. Even if you don’t approach the 100-hour mark, it’s still wise to inspect your engine to make sure everything is working correctly.

What’s next on the maintenance checklist? Here’s a hint: it’s related to winter. Did you guess correctly? It’s winterization! Even in South Texas, where freezing temperatures are rare, it’s a good idea to winterize your boat if you won’t be using it for an extended period. Winterization helps prevent a range of issues that could turn catastrophic. The best part is that most of the tasks involved are things you should be doing after each trip, such as flushing your engine with clean water and managing your batteries.

After three years of sailing the high seas as a seasoned captain, what maintenance do you need? That would be the 300-hour inspection (the 500-hour inspection closely resembles the 300-hour one). These inspections cover all the basics, taking into account the increased engine usage. They include key points from both the 20-hour and 300-hour checks, along with additional checks on more significant components.

By staying on top of this boat maintenance, you can ensure your engine’s longevity, potentially spanning decades. You can choose to service your boat yourself or take it to a professional shop, but the critical thing is to ensure that the necessary work is carried out!