OK, so I’m a bit obsessive about keeping my boat clean and in good repair. There are worse things, right? Countless people have been shocked to find out my Ranger bass boat is over 14 years old, because it really does look like a new boat! If you like a nice boat and don’t want to buy a new one every couple years, bass boat maintenance is something you want to understand. Clean your boat often and keep it in good repair. When things start to wear out, replace them or fix them. The best thing you can do to keep a nice boat is to do your winter and spring maintenance. Here are some helpful tips on how to prepare your boat this spring.
Clean and protect your boat. I really like BTS, Bow To Stern Protectant. It is easy to use and protects your boat from costly damage from exposure to the elements. UV light as will damage the components of your boat’s interior over time. BTS chemically protects it from UV light and therefore prevents fading and premature cracking. It will also keep the mold and mildew away! Make sure to clean the parts of your seats that are not readily seen such as where the seat sections meet. These are the areas where dirt will accumulate. The rubbing action of the seat parts rubbing against each other with this dirt is similiar to rubbing them with sandpaper. Make sure to treat all seams with BTS to prevent rotting of the threads.
Bass boat maintenance involves lots of checking. Check out all the following.
Have any belts, cables, or hoses cracked or become brittle during the winter? They will need to be replaced. Look for any damage or leaks in the fuel system, including hoses and tanks. Check the clamps and fittings. If your engine is equipped with a fuel filter, replace it. Today’s fuels tend to cause more moisture accumulation in the fuel system. This water will gather in the filters. It is a good idea to install an auxiliary filter such as those sold by Yamaha and Mercury for the purpose of removing even more water and sediment.
If not taken care of when you winterized your boat, be sure to check the different fluids. Are they up to the right level?
Check that all lights work.
Check the spark plugs.
Charge and test your batteries.
Check and clean the live wells.
Make sure your drain plugs are in place (many of us have stories about that one!)
Inspect your propeller for any damage that might need repair. Pull the prop and lube the shaft with good gear grease.
Start the engine with “muffs” attached and monitor the flow from the water pump. If there is not a strong stream, replace the water pump. A faulty water pump can cause damage to your engine.
Finally, check the air pressure of your trailer tires and inspect for any unusual tread wear or cracking of outer plies. Tires should be replaced every four years(per Goodyear) and it should be noted that many of the tires originally sold on bass boat trailers were never intended to be travelling at today’s road speeds. The Goodyear Marathon for instance (common on many boat trailers) was designed for a maximum speed of 60 mph. Needless to say, if you have a set of these, you need to see a good tire dealer!
Clean carpets and seats.
Don’t forget to inspect, clean, treat and repair your safety gear. For example, check the life jackets, throw cushion, distress signal, fire extinguisher, lights, and first aid kit. Did you know that Coast Guard guidelines state that fire extinguishers be replaced every four years?
Take the time this spring to prepare you boat and trailer. Bass boat maintenance pays off in the long (and short) run! I hope you have a fun and safe boating season!
