General Info
The More You Know...
Engine Oil - Every Year or 50-100 hours per manufacturer spec Engine oil degrades and becomes acidic after running it becomes diluted with gasoline, combustion byproducts and condensation. Changing the oil by engine running hours alone will not protect your engine sufficiently.
Fuel Filters - Every Year or 100 Hours Fuel system issues are the most common cause of poor running conditions. Fuel filters should be replaced yearly to avoid bigger repair costs. The combination of a moist environment, ethanol blended fuels, and inconsistent usage schedule pose a threat to your fuel system.
Fuel additives can help this cause but not all are created equal or intended for the same purposes. For all around benefits we recommend adding Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment with every fuel up and Sta-Bil Marine Fuel Stabilizer before winter or long term storage.
NOTE: When adding fuel treatment to your tank, mix it by adding before pumping gas, or with movement on the trailer or in the water. Make sure to run the engine on the treated fuel to protect the fuel pump/ injectors/ carburetor(s)
Raw Water Pump/ Impeller - Every 2 Years The raw water pump impeller is made of rubber and installed inside a compressed housing, it starts expiring once installed whether you use it or not. Closed loop cooling systems still need their impeller changed at the same interval. Neglecting cooling system maintenance at regular intervals will lead to bigger issues and repair costs.
Drive Oil - Every 2 Years or 200 hours Drive oil should be checked at the beginning and end of each season to inspect for any water or metal contamination. Drive oil needs to be changed every 2 years.
Outdrive/ Lower Unit - Every Year the Outdrive unit of a Sterndrive boat should be removed to inspect the gimbal bearing, U Joints and grease driveshaft splines. It is the part of your boat that operates in the harshest conditions, underwater and most likely to hit debris or the bottom. If it is not removed for multiple years it becomes difficult to remove and can cause other issues. Neglecting your outdrive until something goes wrong is a recipe for more expensive maintenance and repairs.
Spark Plugs - Spark plugs should be checked/ changed yearly or anytime a running issue exists. Recommend replacing every 2-3 years or as needed.
Drive Belt - Drive belt should be replaced at first visible signs of wear, a broken belt will quickly turn into an expensive situation of engine overheating and a dead battery. Leaving you stranded in the water.
Power Trim & Tilt - Periodically inspect the visible seals on your trim and tilt cylinders for dry cracking or oily residue. Oil and grime around trim rams indicate a leak has already been happening. If it can leak oil out, it can also leak air or water into your trim system. Take notice when your trim/ tilt starts to sound different than it used to, feels weak or responds slowly. Early detection of issues can be the difference between replacing seals and needing to replace much more expensive hard parts.
Anodes - Sacrificial anodes have an important job of protecting the rest of your boat from galvanic corrosion. They should be checked yearly and replaced depending on visible inspection, trailered boats that don't spend much time in the water will last longer. Saltwater (zinc) anodes will often need yearly replacement. In freshwater the correct anodes (aluminum) typically last multiple seasons unless there is an underlying electrical issue.
Bellows - 5 Years or when necessary Bellows should be checked frequently for signs of dry rot or cracking. A leaking bellow can cause extensive damage to your boat or even cause it to sink! Standard practice is to replace all bellows at the same time along with a gimbal bearing and shift cable for Mercruiser outdrives
Battery - Batteries life is largely dependent on the conditions they live in, both extreme hot and cold temperatures can reduce their life significantly. Parasitic draws can drain and prematurely shorten their life. When a battery loses voltage and isn't recharged in a timely manner it's life is significantly shortened. You can extend your battery life and prevent disappointment by using a trickle charger and battery shut off switch.
Steering - There is a variety of steering types. Hard steering, loose or unresponsive steering, abnormal noise or feedback in the steering wheel should always be addressed right away. Loss of steering in a boat can turn into a dangerous and expensive situation very quickly.
