Boat owners know how expensive they are to acquire and maintain. I’m sure you’ve heard that the acronym for BOAT stands for “break out another thousand.” Sure, many repairs and maintenance can run into the thousands of dollars. Still, there’s a lot you can do on the cheap with a little effort to help avoid or postpone breakdowns, maximize your enjoyment on the water, and give you peace of mind.
I’ve been tinkering with boats for over 30 years, and I’ve found that a lot of upkeep can be done yourself, which will pay dividends in the future. Some of these tweaks have come from trial and error, while others I’ve learned from other boaters. All these hacks are simple and likely saved or postponed costly maintenance and repair bills. Below are my top inexpensive maintenance tricks.
Hull Cleaning
The most obvious and noticeable feature of a boat is the hull. Boats need to be cleaned after every use – especially those operating in salt or brackish water. Aside from the dirt and grime, hulls attract marine organisms like barnacles and algae. If you let cleaning lapse, you may face expensive haul-out fees and costly removal and repair due to unwanted marine life.
Keep it simple and clean often. You don’t need expensive marine soap. Mix up some very effective homemade cleaner. In a five-gallon bucket, combine equal parts white vinegar and water, and add 1/4 cup of dish soap. Give the boat a thorough rinse to begin, then apply your cleaning solution and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then scrub with a soft-bristle brush, applying more soap as needed. If you run across any tough spots or stains, you can use baking soda as a gentle abrasive.
Simple Engine Maintenance
Years ago, checking your car engine’s oil was something that was done regularly. Back in the day of full-service gas stations, it was common practice for the attendant to check your oil with every fill-up. Those days have long passed, and checking engine oil in cars and boat engines has also waned. Don’t ignore what is the lifeblood of your four-stroke engine.
Pro Tip: When checking your oil, don’t forget to smell it. Any funky odor can signal some type of contaminant intrusion.
Speaking of oil, oil changes and filter replacement are still something a DIYer can do and save big. Here’s the routine I follow: If possible and practical, drain your oil through the available drain plug; otherwise, invest in an inexpensive oil extraction pump. Refill with the correct specified oil and filter – check your owner’s manual. Go ahead and inspect belts and hoses while you’re at it.
Electrical and Battery Hacks
Always remember, batteries will die at the worst time. Keep your batteries charged with a 5-watt solar trickle charger – less than $20 on sale. You can attach these with alligator clips in between trips to keep your batteries topped off. The sun will deliver juice to your batteries at no additional cost while you are away.
When it comes to batteries, corrosion is another issue you should stay ahead of. If you notice corrosion buildup on your terminals, create a paste by mixing baking soda and water, then use it to scrub the terminals with an old toothbrush or a stiff-bristle brush. Then rinse and coat with some petroleum jelly.
Trailer Tricks
For trailers, don’t neglect the wheel bearings. Check often and add grease when needed. A grease gun is well worth the investment. I once had a trailer tire pass me on the overseas highway. That was a multi-day ordeal that could have been easily avoided with a bit of grease. Finally, if you notice rust on metal parts, slow down the corrosion with a little WD-40 or Corrosion Block for a longer-lasting hold.
Final Thoughts
These hacks may not be glamorous, but they address some major components with inexpensive maintenance that pay off big in the long run. And even if you still need to do any more costly repairs, they won’t come as a surprise because you’re constantly aware of what’s happening. The peace of mind alone is well worth your time and effort.
Tight lines and smooth sailing!
