Congratulations on purchasing a used boat in San Diego. Now, cruising on the bay with nothing but bright sky ahead isn’t just a far off dream; it’s reality. Yet like with any other piece of reality, luxury boat ownership comes with quite a few responsibilities. Not only do you need to know the legalities of boating, but you also have to handle your own boat maintenance. Even if you plan on delegating these tasks to someone else in the future, the tips in this guide will help you get started quickly.
Maintenance Tasks You Can Handle Yourself
Checking for leaks.
Valves, seals, and hoses can all leak. Perform a thorough visual scan yourself each and every time you finish using your boat.
Spraying down the sides of the boat after every use.
This is especially important if you’re a frequent saltwater boater. Rinsing your boat with fresh water after each use will remove corrosive and damaging salt residue.
Checking the propeller
Get in the habit of checking the propeller pre-launch. Throughout the year, remove the propeller several times to make sure any fishing line hasn’t gotten tangled around it. When the propeller is off, check for signs of damage like nicks and dents.
Tasks Best Suited for Outside Maintenance Help
Performing oil changes
While you can do it yourself, taking your boat to a dealer is best. They can handle the job faster and recycle the oil properly.
Polishing the hull and deck
Cleaning might not sound like maintenance, but a clean surface repels mold, mildew, salt buildup, and debris.
Changing filters
Algae can be a problem for any boater. Getting the filters replaced to keep algae from building up in your fuel lines is a good idea. Don’t forget to use a quality biocide along with your premium diesel fuel.
Winterizing
Shrink wrapping your boat is considered the gold standard for winterizing. Although you can shrink wrap your boat yourself, it’s a big task that requires a lot of time, effort and use of specialized equipment including a heat gun.
Owning a boat is an awesome privilege that pays out pleasurable dividends for a lifetime if you keep up on the maintenance. Need a good place for boat maintenance in San Diego? Look no further. Ballast Point Yachts, Inc. is San Diego’s leading yacht brokerage and boat repair shop. Give us a call at (619) 222-3620 for more information or to schedule an inspection.