Frequent boat maintenance is essential if you want to keep it fully operational for longer. Keep reading this post from North American Wholesale in Corpus Christi for tips to keep your boat in the best shape possible. 

Even if boating can go strong all through winter in Corpus Christi, it’s also a great time to do boat maintenance to minimize breakdowns and disruptions all year. Let’s review a few things about maintaining your boat for year-round boating.

If you’re unsure about what products are best for your marine engine, call North American Wholesale in Corpus Christi at (866) 580-1008 for recommendations on excellent products like AMSOIL’s 10W-40 Synthetic Marine Engine Oil. Don’t forget to place your order online at AMSOIL's online shop anytime!

Give it a Good Wash

Washing your boat isn’t only an aesthetic decision but one that should be on the top of your boat maintenance checklist. How you wash your boat has a lot to do with what kind of boat you have. For saltwater, you’ll need to rinse it after every outing to remove salt residue, as it can corrode your boat’s gel coat and damage hardware, fasteners, and metal. You can use special marine soap to protect the gel coat or car wash soap that won’t damage your boat's coating and exteriors. This is also a great time to look for damage so you can get it fixed as soon as possible.

Basic Engine Maintenance

Next is ensuring your boat’s engine has all the necessary lubrication to operate correctly. A regular oil-changing routine is essential to your boat’s useful life. If it’s been a while since you last scheduled an oil change, more than 100 hours to be exact, be sure to do so as soon as possible to ensure that your boat is protected from damage from a lack of proper lubrication. When changing your oil, remember that marine oil has a different composition than motor oil. If you’re not sure about what marine oil is suitable for your engine or if you’re not sure how to change the oil yourself, it’s always best to consult an oil pro who will know exactly what products to use on your boat to ensure it’s performing at its best.

AMSOIL has excellent products to keep your boat in great shape for longer. If you need advice on a better maintenance routine, call North American Wholesale at (866) 580-1008. Or you can visit AMSOIL's online shop to learn more about the extensive line of products they have to offer.

Do a Propeller Check

Checking your propeller should be another essential part of your boat maintenance routine. Your propeller should be rid of nicks, dents, and other types of damage. If your propeller is damaged, it could cause your boat to perform poorly. If your propeller looks okay, spread some waterproof grease on it to prevent corrosion. As with your engine, lubrication to your propeller is also essential in helping it work as intended. Another thing you should check when it comes to your propeller is ensuring it hasn’t caught any fishing lines on its shaft. If there are, call your boat dealer to ensure there aren’t any gear case leaks. In this case, it’s best to consult an expert and have expert hands work on it to avoid further damaging the propeller.

Stock up on Safety Equipment

Lastly, as a part of your boat maintenance routine, it’s essential to stock up on safety equipment to ensure you have everything you need on your next boating adventure. Here are the essentials

• Have enough safety jackets for every passenger on board. If you have children on board, remember that children and adult life jackets aren’t interchangeable.
• Have an emergency box onboard with flashlights, a whistle, flares, a first aid kit, a whistle, and a battery-powered radio. Also, have extra batteries onboard, just in case. Check expiration dates from time to time to ensure your kit is always useable.

Safety Measures Onboard

While having safety equipment on board is important, it’s also essential to go over some safety measures as a part of your boat maintenance. The basic safety measures you should include in your maintenance routine are to:

• Make sure all anti-slip grips are clean.
• Remove anything that could get tangled around people’s feet.
• Ensure all safety rails and guides aren’t loose.

Next time you’re up for an oil change for your boat, consider synthetic oil. This oil doesn’t just replace mineral oil but helps remove contaminants from your boat’s engine, keeping it in good shape for longer. Call North American Wholesale in Corpus Christi at (866) 580-1008 to speak with an oil pro today. Also, don’t forget you can place an order in AMSOIL's online shop 24/7!