When it comes to fishing boats, regular maintenance is absolutely key. Whether you spend every day on the water or you only go out a few times a month, taking care of your fishing boat is the best way to make sure you can enjoy those early mornings out on the water for years to come. Here are a few key maintenance tips for fishing boats that should help you out.
Make Oil Checks a Priority
Depending on how many hours you put on your boat’s engine, keeping track of oil levels and oil health is critical to making sure your boat runs smoothly. Whether you’re working with pontoon boats or a little skiff, oil is the lifeblood of your boat. And just like your car, you need to make sure you’re checking oil levels and investing in oil changes on a regular basis. It’s typically recommended to change your boat’s oil every 50 to 100 hours you put on the engine. This will make sure that everything is well lubricated and that your boat stays in tip-top condition.
Wash Your Boat’s Exterior Often
When it comes to maintaining the condition of your boat, whether you found it as a used boat for sale or not, washing the exterior is one of the simplest things you can do. Of course, it’s also one of the most important things you can do to keep your fishing boat in top condition. It might seem like a little bit of a pain, but the truth is that washing your boat every time you take it in from a day of fishing is one of the best maintenance tasks you can perform. This is especially relevant if you’ve just brought in a haul of fresh fish — nobody wants a boat that smells of fish every time they go out on the water. Warm, soapy water and a gentle scrub will usually do the trick. For more severe staining or dried residue, you may want to consider a cleaning product designed to tackle tougher spots.
Keeping fishing boats looking great and functioning properly can feel like a full-time job at times. But with a few simple maintenance tasks performed on a regular basis, you can keep your fishing hobby alive and well for a long time.