Top Reasons Why Your Boat May Break Down

If you’re hoping to get your watercraft back out onto the open water after a season of winter storage, you may be concerned about the status of your boat following a period of disuse. It’s important to know the primary reasons why a boat might break down so that you can recognize and address the warning signs before you find yourself in serious trouble.

When a boat loses power or breaks down, you could be running the risk of finding yourself stranded. It’s important to keep your watercraft well stocked with safety equipment and gear, including a first aid kit and several means of communication, including radios and flares. Cell phones often won’t work while you’re out on the lake.

Investing in routine boat maintenance in Lewiston, CA, particularly at the beginning of the boating season, is a great way to ensure that your vessel is water-worthy throughout the year.

Here are just a few signs that your boat may be at risk of breaking down, and a few things that you can do to mitigate any potential risk of your boat encountering issues while you’re out on the open water:

• Insufficient power: If your watercraft doesn’t have the same power that you’re used to, it’s likely one of two potential issues. There’s a chance the issue is caused by a bad fuel filter—this is particularly common if you left fuel in your boat over the winter season and it went bad. It could also be the sparkplugs. Try cleaning or replacing the plugs.
• Overheated engine: If your engine is overheating, you should stop operating your watercraft as soon as possible. Overheating is caused by a number of problems, including exhaust issues and a lack of lubrication.
• Non-starting engine: There are few things more frustrating than pulling your watercraft out of storage and getting ready to make some wake, only to realize that the engine won’t start. Electrical problems are usually to blame for non-starting engines; be sure to examine the status of your wiring harness.
• Broken belt: If you’re out on the water, you won’t be able to hear the sound of a belt breaking—you will, however, notice when the alternator isn’t charging. If there’s a broken belt on your watercraft, it could cause the battery to die or the engine to overheat.
• Vibration: When boats shake too much during acceleration, it’s probably a sign of a propeller issue. It’s advisable to carry a spare propeller on board, in case the vibrations become too pronounced to make it back to shore. This is particularly likely to happen if you strike something with your propeller.

Since 2003, Trinity Alps Marina has been one of the premier sources for boat maintenance in Lewiston, CA. If you’re looking for a trusted marine expert to assist you with boat repair and maintenance, reach out to one of our friendly boating professionals. Trinity Alps Marina is a full-service marina offering watercraft rental, bait and tackle sales, boat maintenance and more. Come see us today!

Categorised in: Boat Service

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