Common Boat Maintenance Issues

In our opinion, boating is the best hobby around—there’s nothing better than spending a sunny afternoon out on the water with friends and family. However, it’s not all roses all the time in the boating world. Boats tend to have a variety of issues that can put a damper on any afternoon. Continue reading to learn a few of the most common and unfortunate boat maintenance problems in Lewiston, CA:

• Engine won’t start: You’ve packed up the coolers and loaded all your gear on the boat, but when you go to turn the engine on, nothing happens. This could be the result of a dead battery or an issue with the starter switch itself. As a precaution, be sure to inspect, clean and replace your boat’s wiring. You might also want to consider investing in a backup battery.
• Engine is losing power: If you can get the engine to start, you’ve done something right! But if your engine’s sputtering and losing power, you’re not going to have the best day on the water. Assuming the problem isn’t caused by a lack of gas, a sputtering engine is most likely the result of a dirty in-line fuel filter. Power loss may also be attributed to dirty spark plugs. Common boat maintenance in Lewiston, CA should include periodically checking the fuel line and replacing the spark plugs.
• Steering problems: Nothing will spoil a day on the lake faster than not being able to steer your boat. If the outdrive isn’t turning, the problem probably lies with a lack of hydraulic fluid or a leak in the line. In either scenario, we recommend bringing your boat to our repair shop for an inspection. Our pros can get to the root of the problem and have your boat in tip-top shape in no time.
• Rising water: If your bilge pump is working overtime, or if the boat feels unusually heavy, you probably have a burst hose in the engine’s cooling and exhaust system. Shut the engine down as soon as possible to avoid further damage and replace the hose right away, assuming you have one on board. To prevent this costly damage, replace any old hoses as part of common boat maintenance in Lewiston, CA.
• Boat motor stopped: Picture this: you’re cruising along the water when the motor suddenly cuts out. In this scenario, let’s hope someone accidentally bumped the kill switch. If it’s not that, and you’re not out of fuel, there’s probably a loose wire in the ignition system or corrosion buildup around your battery terminals. Make a habit of checking your battery for any signs of corrosion or old age and be sure all wiring connections are tight before heading out on the water.

Choose Trinity Alps Marina for maintenance and repairs!

You can avoid a lot of the issues mentioned above by hiring the team at Trinity Alps Marina to repair and maintain your vessel. We have years of experience working with boats of all makes and models, so you know your boat is in good hands.

Categorised in: Boat Maintenance

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