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Boat Maintenance Tips November '10
Did you ever wonder what the most expensive part of boat ownership is? Is it the boat note? Is it the insurance? Is it storage? Is it the gear? Is it the fuel? Is it lack of knowledge?
Lack of knowledge is the area of boat ownership that is the most overlooked and is the most expensive. The old phrase Knowledge is Power is a very accurate way to describe the most expensive part of boat ownership.
There are three enemies to every boat, motor, and trailer and each one when addressed on a regular basis can save a great deal of your hard-earned income and make fishing an absolute enjoyable, worry-free experience.
Number one on the list is UV. Number two is saltwater. Number three is carbon, (the byproduct of unburned fuel and/or oil from your engine).
Every time the trip is over, washing the boat, motor and trailer to remove salt is a must. Flushing the outboard every single time is critical. Using the right chemicals is key.
I can not name one thing on this planet that the combination of saltwater and UV cannot destroy given enough time.
Let's talk about the cure. Fiberglass, aluminum, stainless, wiring, rubber and plastics all are very susceptible to severe degradation from UV. Keeping the boat in storage or under cover is the best way along with the use of a rigging tube where cables and wiring come out of the hull and into the engine is a must. If your plastic fuel tank is visible under the console, a cover for the opening will keep UV from destroying your fuel and sun fading the tank.
The use of products like Corrosion X, Red, Green and Rejex are one of the best methods and each one has its place.
Application interval - twice a year - Corrosion X Red should be sprayed under the engine cowling on all surfaces, avoiding the starter bendix, (this is where the starter teeth engage the flywheel). Spray the fuel water separator filter assembly, battery cable ends, power pole pump, jack plate pump.
Each trip Spray the hydraulic steering cylinder stainless shaft on each side, this will keep the seals from getting hard and the shaft from pitting, Also spray the steering cable, jack plate slides/rollers after the boat is washed and before storing for next trip.
Application interval CorrosionX Green Annual application of CorrosionX Green is generally sufficient on the following areas, tilt and trim assembly, tiller arm, galvanized rims over the lug nuts and the trailer hubs. Corrosion X Green is not favorable to use on electrical wiring or fuel hose.
Application interval Rejex Four months This is another amazing product by Corrosion Technologies that when applied as directed puts a virtual shell of protection on the applied surface, glass, plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel, above or below the water. Rejex protects against salt, bugs, bird droppings, blood will wash off with ease. On larger diesel applications it is a great product to keep the exhaust stain off the transom.
Carbon protection There are many good fuel treatments, and it is necessary to use one every time you put fuel in the tank. Ethanol is the number one enemy for an outboard. It is important to note a stabilizer and decarbon additive are required and should have the E-10 rating for ethanol. The product we prefer is the PRI-G for gasoline and the PRI-D for diesel.
Hope this helps and if you have any question feel free to call. We go over these and other tips daily with our new boat/engine owners and service customers.
Chris Mapp - Coastal Bend Marine, Port O'Connor, Texas www.coastalbendmarine.com 361.983.4841
Lack of knowledge is the area of boat ownership that is the most overlooked and is the most expensive. The old phrase Knowledge is Power is a very accurate way to describe the most expensive part of boat ownership.
There are three enemies to every boat, motor, and trailer and each one when addressed on a regular basis can save a great deal of your hard-earned income and make fishing an absolute enjoyable, worry-free experience.
Number one on the list is UV. Number two is saltwater. Number three is carbon, (the byproduct of unburned fuel and/or oil from your engine).
Every time the trip is over, washing the boat, motor and trailer to remove salt is a must. Flushing the outboard every single time is critical. Using the right chemicals is key.
I can not name one thing on this planet that the combination of saltwater and UV cannot destroy given enough time.
Let's talk about the cure. Fiberglass, aluminum, stainless, wiring, rubber and plastics all are very susceptible to severe degradation from UV. Keeping the boat in storage or under cover is the best way along with the use of a rigging tube where cables and wiring come out of the hull and into the engine is a must. If your plastic fuel tank is visible under the console, a cover for the opening will keep UV from destroying your fuel and sun fading the tank.
The use of products like Corrosion X, Red, Green and Rejex are one of the best methods and each one has its place.
Application interval - twice a year - Corrosion X Red should be sprayed under the engine cowling on all surfaces, avoiding the starter bendix, (this is where the starter teeth engage the flywheel). Spray the fuel water separator filter assembly, battery cable ends, power pole pump, jack plate pump.
Each trip Spray the hydraulic steering cylinder stainless shaft on each side, this will keep the seals from getting hard and the shaft from pitting, Also spray the steering cable, jack plate slides/rollers after the boat is washed and before storing for next trip.
Application interval CorrosionX Green Annual application of CorrosionX Green is generally sufficient on the following areas, tilt and trim assembly, tiller arm, galvanized rims over the lug nuts and the trailer hubs. Corrosion X Green is not favorable to use on electrical wiring or fuel hose.
Application interval Rejex Four months This is another amazing product by Corrosion Technologies that when applied as directed puts a virtual shell of protection on the applied surface, glass, plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel, above or below the water. Rejex protects against salt, bugs, bird droppings, blood will wash off with ease. On larger diesel applications it is a great product to keep the exhaust stain off the transom.
Carbon protection There are many good fuel treatments, and it is necessary to use one every time you put fuel in the tank. Ethanol is the number one enemy for an outboard. It is important to note a stabilizer and decarbon additive are required and should have the E-10 rating for ethanol. The product we prefer is the PRI-G for gasoline and the PRI-D for diesel.
Hope this helps and if you have any question feel free to call. We go over these and other tips daily with our new boat/engine owners and service customers.
Chris Mapp - Coastal Bend Marine, Port O'Connor, Texas www.coastalbendmarine.com 361.983.4841