Critical Areas that Technicians Focus on During an Annual Boat Service
Poor maintenance of vessels is one of the leading causes of calls for assistance at sea. Unfortunately, many boat owners pay little attention to maintenance even though boats operate in harsh conditions throughout their service life. If you do not pay attention to your boat's servicing requirements, then you might as well get ready to say goodbye to the vessel in a few years. That is why annual boat servicing is essential if you want to enjoy your vessel's capabilities for years to come. This article highlights critical areas that technicians focus on during annual boat servicing.
Fuel Tank Cleansing
If you are an avid boat rider, you are required to change the oil every few months. It ensures debris doesn't accumulate inside the fuel tank and impact the quality of fuel used. However, small amounts of contaminants break down and gather at the bottom of the fuel tank over time. Therefore, fuel tank cleaning is the first thing a boat maintenance technician does during annual boat servicing. The expert first drains all the oil from the fuel tank using an air compressor and follows it with a dry vacuum. Dry vacuuming the tank removes any remaining loose debris. Once the technician is satisfied that the insides are clean, they add fresh fuel and replace the sieve on the mouth of the fuel tank with a new one.
Propellers
If there is one part in a boat that works the hardest, then it is the propeller. Consequently, the numerous moving parts and rubber bushings on the propeller tend to wear over time. Although you might have to change the bushings and seals regularly depending on the rate of wear, some areas can only be looked at during an annual boat service. For instance, props knock solid objects during the year, which causes bends and jagged edges. The deformations eventually affect the prop's efficiency. Therefore, the imperfections must be hammered out during the annual boat servicing to enhance the overall performance of the propeller.
Water Bilge Pump
Your boat needs a water bilge pump to circulate fresh water around the engine as well as prevent the boat from filling up when there is a leak. If the leak is significant enough, the bilge pump will overwork and wear out fast. During an annual boat service, a technician will check for possible debris that might block the flow of fresh water in the engine. The expert will also examine the hoses for wear and replace them accordingly. Bilge pumps that operate in salty water all year long might need total replacement due to high levels of corrosion.
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