There’s nothing quite like getting up early and heading out for a day on the water in your fishing boat. But if you don’t take proper care of your fishing boat, you could be putting an end to those relaxing days much sooner than you’d like. Here are a few essential tips to help you properly care for your fishing boat.
Wash Your Boat Regularly
Caring for pontoon boats, fishing boats, and even speed boats is a lot like caring for a car. And part of that care involves regular washes! This is especially important if you’ve been out in saltwater. In that case, you should always use fresh water to wash any residual salt off of your boat. Letting salt residue sit on your boat can lead to corrosion and damage to your boat’s gel coating. Even a small fishing boat needs regular cleaning. A hose and a soft-bristled brush are excellent investments to make for keeping your boat nice and clean. This can help retain the integrity of your boat for years to come and save you frequent trips to your boat dealer for hull maintenance.
Inspect Your Propeller
Your propeller is what makes your boat go, which means it needs to be in excellent condition year-round. When you turn your propeller off after a day of boating, check it thoroughly for any signs of damage. Dents, nicks, and other imperfections in the propeller can cause serious mobility issues for your boat. Not to mention a broken propeller can make your fuel usage skyrocket if you’re not careful. In addition, a damaged propeller can cause excess vibration and stress to your bearings, which will ultimately result in more damage to your boat.
Scrape Barnacles Away Immediately
Whether you just bought a used boat for sale or you just invested in some brand new boating accessories, barnacles are an issue you can’t afford to wait around to fix. Once a barnacle has latched on, it won’t be easy to get off. This is another reason it’s so important to wash your boat! It’s particularly important to keep an eye on the bottom of your boat and invest in a good sponge to get some serious scrubbing in.
Taking care of a fishing boat is no joke. Use these tips to help get the job done right.
