What Maintenance to Do When Hauling a Fiberglass Boat?
Your fiberglass boat can offer years of service if you properly haul it out and maintain it on a regularly basis. If you neglect the boat, you may shorten its lifespan and lower your boat performance. You may even end up with a hefty repair and service bill because of the neglect. A few days every year should be enough to fully clean, repair and repaint the boat for optimal performance.
Other People Are Reading
-
Clean The Underside
-
Clean the underside of your fiberglass boat every year. If you do it annually, you can catch any marine growth before it builds up and becomes hard to remove. If you allow the growth set in, water may penetrate the surface and you will have lower fuel efficiency and performance levels. Once you pull the boat out, use a pressure washer to clean the boat surfaces thoroughly.
Check The Running Gear
-
Regularly check your running gear when you pull the fiberglass boat out to haul it. This is an opportune time to examine and fix any issues with the running gear. Some signals that this area needs attention or maintenance are prop vibration, poor engine performance or gear malfunctioning. Usually order the parts to fix or repair the running gear, so check these first and often.
-
Through-Hull Fittings
-
Look at the through-hull fittings. If you have metal fittings, they may turn white or green if they are starting to corrode. If the fittings are plastic, examine them to see if they are still in working order. Replace the fittings when needed.
Check The Seacocks
-
Seacocks are in the engine inlets, generator inlets, bilge drains and any other outlets on your fiberglass boat. These open and close as needed. Marine growth, corrosion and degradation can occur in these areas. Inspect these when you pull the boat out. Clean them in both the closed and open position monthly to keep them working properly.
Engine Maintenance
-
Always check the engine fluid levels and top off--if needed--with the appropriate fluid. Clean up any spills immediately. Discard in the proper garbage receptacle, never in or near the water. Check the battery to verify that it is clean, dry and fully charged. Look at everything around the engine, such as the fuel tanks and clamps, to see if there is corrosion, dirt, rust or damage. Address and fix as needed.
Painting the Bottom
-
When you take the boat out of the water, check the condition of the bottom paint. If it needs to be addressed, sand the old paint off and fix any dings, cracks or damage. Use a dust-free sander. Apply your ablative paint with a roller or sprayer according to the product instructions. Never discard leftover paint in the water. It is illegal and can cause environmental damage. Allow the paint to completely cure as directed by the manufacturer before relaunching the boat. A regularly maintained bottom paint job will help prevent barnacle growth and other fouling on your boat.
-
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
