Take care of the boat, trailer, and engine and the chances of a problem occurring on the water or the road will be minimized. Here’s what you need to know.
So you’re a new boat owner. Your pristine center-console sits proudly in your driveway, the outboard shining brightly in the sun, and even the trailer is sleek and polished. How can you keep it at least close to looking and performing as it does now? Maintenance is the key.
But if you’re not mechanically inclined, how can you properly care for your new rig? If you’re all thumbs, budget in some bucks for dealer maintenance. In this case, it’s probably best for both you and your boat if you leave the mechanical details to the pros. You can, however, perform all the tasks that don’t require technical expertise. Such tasks as keeping fittings and moving parts lubricated, cleaning and waxing the finish, checking the drive lubricant and engine oil, making sure that fishing line isn’t wrapped around the prop shaft — these are all examples of simple skills a responsible boater should learn, especially to protect his or her investment. While boats have never been cheap, they seem to be more expensive than ever when compared to the average paycheck, so it’s smart ownership to make sure that all is up to snuff.
To help you out, we’ve created a simple Timeline and Maintenance Chart, one that works for DIYers and tech-savvy boaters alike. Refer to the chart to check maintenance items before every outing and at every 20, 50, and 100 hours of use. Seasonal boaters should consult the chart before every layup. With our chart as your guide, your rig will stay like new for longer and command top price at resale or trade-in time, particularly if you keep records of what you’ve done and when. The chart is the suggested schedule, although some boats may require more frequent checks. If in doubt always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular boat, engine, and trailer.
Click on checkmarks in the chart below to watch our how-to videos.
| Always follow recommendations in manual first | Every Outing | Every 20 hrs. | Every 50 hrs. | Every 100 hrs. | Before Layup | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Drive | ||||||
| Check oil/fill | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View |
| Check transom mounting bolts/jack plate bolts (if equipped) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check propeller and skeg for damage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View |
| Check cowl air intakes for blockages | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check engine operating temperature | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check oil pressure | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check drive/gearcase for water/particulate/burnt lubricant & refill | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Check engine for proper operating RPM @ WOT | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Check fuel lines for alcohol and UV degradation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Replace fuel/water separating filter | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Check power trim/tilt fluid, refill if necessary | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Check engine mounts and swivel/steering bracket for excessive play | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Lubricate all grease points | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Coat electrical w/silicone protectant spray | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Have linkage/synchronization checked | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Retorque all accessible bolts/fasteners | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Touch up paint | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Check spark plugs and replace as necessary | ✔ | |||||
| Change and check condition of gearcase lube and powerhead oil | ✔ | View | ||||
| Replace water-pump impeller | ✔ | |||||
| Treat fuel with storage conditioner, fog engine, drain/refill oil, replace oil/fuel filters | ✔ | |||||
| Steering System | View | |||||
| Check for excessive play/movement | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check fluid level/check for leaks/bleed system (hydraulic) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Check engine free-play and adjust | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Lubricate all grease points | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Check for kinks (hydraulic and mechanical) and/or binding (mechanical) | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Boat: Interior, Tops, Safety Gear, Hull, Hardware | ||||||
| Check hull for damage; repair if necessary | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View |
| Wash hull and deck | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check registration and inspection to ensure they’re up-to-date | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check bilge pump and auto switch for proper operation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View |
| Check battery(s) for proper charge | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check all other electrical accessories and systems for proper operation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check safety gear to ensure it is up-to-date and in good condition | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check fire extinguishing systems | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clean and protect interior | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Clean bilge | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Wax/polish hull and deck | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View | ||
| Check top, cover, etc., for condition, proper storage, and clean/protect | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Check bow and stern eyes for tightness and secure mounting | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Check rubrail for damage and repair if necessary | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Check all cleats, rail fittings, and deck fittings for tightness and secure mounting | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Trailer | ||||||
| Check coupler mechanism for proper operation, lubricate w/silicone spray | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check safety chains for rust, damage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check winch and winch strap; check emergency retention chain/strap | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check tiedowns and tiedown eyes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Check lights, connector, and wiring harness and repair if necessary | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View |
| Check tires for proper inflation pressure (including spare), check brakes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View |
| Check wheel bearings for proper grease level, binding, excessive noise | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Check suspension for rust, damage, missing bolts; repair if necessary | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Check tires for age, weather checking, low/uneven tread (including spare) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Check wheel condition for rust, cracks, or bends | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Check boat support bunks and rollers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Check frame for rust, paint if necessary | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Check wheel bearings and seals, repack with grease | ✔ | ✔ | View |
Download a copy of the checklist above.
