Tips for Maintaining Your Boat’s Outboard Motor
Proper maintenance of your boat’s outboard motor is key to keeping it in good shape. If you want to spend long periods on the water cruising, fishing, or simply soaking up the sunshine, you’ll need to maintain your vessel’s outboard motor regularly. To help you get started, our experts have created this maintenance guide that you can check out. Keep reading to learn more, then visit us at our dealership to connect with our experts and get your concerns addressed. Schnelker Marine & Powersports is in New Haven, IN, where we happily welcome our friends from Fort Wayne and Auburn.
Use Your Resources
Your owner’s manual is the best place to look for specific information regarding your boat’s outboard motor. It contains the manufacturer’s recommendations for particular products you should or shouldn’t use, maintenance tips, and the service schedule you should follow. Apply the suggestions mentioned there to maximize your investment and get your outboard engine to perform like new.
If you need more information, go to your manufacturer’s website to see if they have any tutorials on outboard motor maintenance.
Regular Motor Maintenance
Just as you stay on top of your boat’s maintenance tasks, you’ll want to be regular with maintaining its outboard motor, too. One of the maintenance steps that you can take is to inspect your boat’s engine by removing the cowling or the outer cover that protects it from the water. Look for signs of leaking and excessive wear and tear. Also, examine the spark plugs to see if they’re in good working condition. It’s a good idea to replace the spark plugs about once a year, depending on how frequently you take your vessel out.
Additionally, the quality and condition of the oil will affect the performance of your outboard motor. So, while you’re at it, change the oil every three months or after every 20 hours of operation, whichever comes first. Keep an eye on the condition of the oil; if it appears dark or sludgy, consider replacing it immediately.
When to Contact a Professional?
Trying to repair issues on your boat that are too complex for you to handle can damage your vessel further. Let the professionals who have the right tools and skills resolve these problems. If you encounter similar issues, connect with our service department at Schnelker Marine & Powersports. We can look at your vessel and fix it for you, so you can get back to your boating lifestyle sooner than you think.
We hope this guide helps you maintain your boat’s outboard motor like a pro. If you have more questions or you’re in the market for a new vessel, visit Schnelker Marine & Powersports to look at our inventory of boats for sale. If you let us know about your requirements, we can suggest models for your budget and help you choose one that’ll be perfect for your lifestyle. We’re in New Haven, IN, where we proudly serve those from Fort Wayne and Auburn.