A boat's engine, like anything else mechanical, needs regular maintenance to keep it purring at its best. Not practicing boat engine maintenance can cause all sorts of expensive trouble or on-the-water emergencies. Following your owner's guide, you should make a streamlined boat engine maintenance outline and post it where you can see it during boating season. While most boat engine maintenance items can be done at the beginning or end of the season, some must be checked routinely. Boat engine maintenance is very little hassle, but dealing with engine repairs caused by neglect is a major headache.



One very important part to replace routinely is the impeller, a rubber or plastic component that cools the engine by circulating lake water through it. The impeller will take in impurities from the water and occasionally collect grit or sand from being run aground. These cause deterioration, as does time spent in storage. An impeller is one piece you do not want to have fail-it could mean overheating and engine damage. Therefore proper boat engine maintenance demands that the impeller to be replaced every three or four years.

Before storing your boat for the winter, you should do a handful boat engine maintenance chores. Since boats do not see as much action as automobiles normally get, their oil does not need to be changed as often. It should, however, be changed at the end of the season. At the same time, fogging oil should be added. When the final tank of fuel for the season is pumped into your boat, it is wise to add fuel injector cleaner. Otherwise, the fuel can thicken and clog the engine. These are simple things that can keep you from having nasty surprises when the boat enters the water in the spring.

Refer to your manual for any boat engine maintenance items particular to your craft. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The last thing you want is to have to replace a costly engine part or to get stuck adrift after your engine conks out. Good boat engine maintenance can keep your engine running properly for years.