Maintenance will help boat owner save cash
I recently helped a friend pull his boat to the lake with expectations of a fishing trip. As luck would have it, the motor would hardly run at an idle, and moiré importantly, water wasn’t circulating through the engine’s water jacket. Without proper cooling, the engine would overheat quickly and eventually lock up. Knowing that this would prove costly, we loaded the craft back on the trailer and headed home, later installing a new impeller in the lower unit.
Although my friend wasn’t too happy about his plight, I wasn’t surprised about any of the mechanical problems he was experiencing. Having recently purchased the boat, he had no idea of how well it had been maintained. And even if the previous owner cared for his boat with good intention, that did not mean he was knowledgeable about outboards and their service before being parked during the winter months.
All mechanical issues resolved, we returned to the water for a lengthy boat ride on Lake Hamilton — the engine purring little a kitten and the amount of water circulating through the engine leaving my friend relieved. He was fortunate that we noticed no water circulating through the engine, a mistake that would have cost him a pretty good chunk of cash if not the price of an overhaul.
Other mechanical issues can prove costly, especially after an outboard has set idle for several months. Cost of annual service could prove much less costly than the repairs necessary if maintenance goes ignored.
Most of us have experienced trying to start a lawnmower that has lain idle for several months. Many times the problem lies in the fuel system. Unless it receives an additive before winter storing, gasoline often turns hard like varnish. Boat motors are no different; let one set for some time without a fuel additive and the carburetor will not perform properly.
One big difference in some outboards and lawn- mower engines is that the older, twostroke models, oil isn’t added directly into the block of the engine and they are lubricated from the oil added to the fuel. Although an outboard motor often will run when the carburetor is working at less than optimal standards, that’s no indication the cylinders are getting the proper amount of oil. If one’s boat idles roughly, won’t turn enough RPMs to plane the boat or surges at higher speeds, consider letting a trained outboard technician check it out.
The lower unit appears much less intricate than the engine but should not be overlooked. Anyone who has had to replace or experienced significant mechanical problems with a lower unit will attest that repairs and replacements can prove costly.
First, be aware that seals in the lower unit are subject to going bad, the propeller- shaft seal often falling prey to fishing line discarded in the lake. Check the lower unit’s oil periodically, watching for an indication of water. If the oil appears milky, it’s obviously contaminated with water; a seal has failed or the lower- unit house has burst, necessitating a repair.
A serious problem occurs when water- contaminated oil remains in the lower unit throughout the winter months. When the temperature drops the water will freeze, bursting the lower- unit housing.
Taking proper precautions before parking one’s boat for winter can help avoid most of the problems mentioned. Just in case, let a reputable marine mechanic check out the rig before a summer of aquatic fun. Granted, people take their boats out year after year without maintenance and it runs like a top. But one mechanical issue that could have been avoided or solved early can lead to failure that might prove costly.