Feb 7, 2023

This is part 1 of a 2-part series on off-season maintenance and upgrades that are ideal to get a jump on now, and aren’t dependent on warmer temperatures (unlike fiberglass, painting and caulking). Most of these, with proper planning, a simple internet search and a few minutes on YouTube can be straightforward DIY projects, and they’re great tasks to chip away at on those days when the sun shines and temperatures are comfortable enough to spend a few hours at the boat yard. Here are some of my favourites, divided by task type:

Fuse sizes should match the load and wire size

Electrical:

• Checking fuses and breakers: If you experienced any ‘nuisance trips’ (when breakers trip or fuses blow with regularity), or if you upgraded any electronics last season, it may be a good time to review your electrical panel to ensure that the fuses and breakers are adequately protecting your electrical devices. As a reminder: a fuse or breaker is meant to trip or break if the current running through the wiring is in danger of creating an overload or fire hazard. This means that the wire size and ampacity should also be checked. 

• Replacing any electrical components: The off-season is an ideal time to swap out displays, pumps, lights or navigational equipment. 

• Tracking down shorts, removing corrosion, and replacing ring terminals: Electrical equipment and the marine environment don’t mix. Boats are humid, moist, dirty and are constantly moving - which rubs, chafes and vibrates electrical components. Wire runs, connections and terminals should be checked for corrosion, tight connections and potential chafe points

• Diagnostics: Resistance through a circuit, amps at an appliance and voltage at the power source can all be checked or verified as an off-season project. Contact your local trusted marine technician if you think you need help.

Hoses should be checked for cracking and wear. 

Replacements:

• Spare parts inventory: Time to stock up on everything from split rings to impellers, spare parts, light bulbs, O-rings, bungs, electrical connectors etc

• Tools and equipment: Check your stock of drill bits, wrenches, grease, oil and spare batteries.

• Hoses: All hoses, from potable water, to waste water to hydraulic and fuel lines will break down, become brittle and crack over time. Check to ensure that replacements confirm to ABYC standards, and that appropriate diameters, connections and clamps and supports are used.

• Hose clamps: Hose clamps are notorious as being the first component in a system to fail. Vibration and wear cause them to loosen, break and require replacement. Often the replacement clamp is one that is on-hand, rather than the correct size or style. Now is a great time to review all your clamps to ensure that the style and size is correct, and that they are all in good working order

• Fuel lines: Fuel lines that have begun breaking down can often cause restrictions in the fuel system and runnability issues. If fuel lines visually appear to be cracking, or if runnability problems were a concern last year, it may be time to replace fuel lines.

• Fuel filters: Fuel filters should be changed annually, often as part of the winterizing process. If this was missed in the fall, change fuel filters now.

• Shackles, turnbuckles, anchor rode: These are wearable parts that are often exposed to weather and water, causing them to wear until failure. Check yours now, so that they don’t fail when it counts. Its also a great time to measure and purchase spares.

Fluids should be checked for quality and level

Lubricating:

• filling trim fluid reservoirs: The most common cause of trim issues (whether in trimming an outboard, sterndrive or trim tabs is a lack of fluid. It’s a great time to source any leaks, make repairs and top-up fluid.

• Checking lubricating oil, gear lube, power steering fluid, hydraulic fluid: This is often done as a part of the winterization process - but it’s always wise to double-check and reconfirm that all fluids are of the correct type and at the correct level. Its also a great time to order in fresh fluid from your local chandlery to keep on hand as necessary.

• Greasing or lubricating any moving parts: My rule is pretty simple - if its supposed to move,  it should be lubricated periodically to ensure that it can move freely and smoothly. This includes: throttle/shift pivot points, seacocks, hinges, etc. Conversely: If it isn’t supposed to move, its a great idea to tighten it!

Check back in two weeks for more ideas for off-season projects that can be started right away.

As always, if you feel that a task is beyond your skill level, it never hurts to get some perspective by chatting with a qualified marine technician.

 Andrew McDonald is the owner of Lakeside Marine Services – a boat repair/maintenance firm based in Toronto. Andrew has worked in the marine industry for 12 years and is a graduate of the Georgian College ‘Mechanical Techniques - Marine Engine Mechanic’ program.
 
Questions or comments for Andrew? Email him directly via: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.