Your boat is an expensive investment that is exposed to various weather and climate conditions. These conditions will almost always take a toll on your boat. Therefore, to maintain and preserve the beauty of your boat a basic boat care as listed below is needed.

• Gelcoat/Awlgrip
Regardless of whether your boat has Gelcoat or Awlgrip, it is important to wash, and wax regularly. Also, using a restorer will help to maintain the beauty of your boat. Make sure you have proper fenders to keep the boat away from the dock to avoid scratches. After every sea voyage, it is recommended to wash the boat to prevent salt deposits from settling in your Gelcoat and making it chalky.

• The Teak
In order for your teak to shine it has to be pampered, and a pampered teak will do wonders for your boat. It is important to minimize the amount of chemical that is used on the teak because; too much chemical will wear it out. After sea voyage, soap and water is simply all you need to wash it with. Depending on your preference and in keeping up with regular care, you can also use natural oil or varnish on your teak to bring out its shine. Another big tip is to keep shoes off your teak. One may ask why? Well, shoes are prone to storing gravel which if gets in your teak will certainly do some damage.

It is important to bear in mind that overexposing your boat to either rain or sun can also cause damage. To minimize exposure, you may want to consider using a covering.

Your boat will operate at its maximum when it is properly maintained. Monthly inspections and maintenance are crucial in achieving this. Also, it will ensure that you will not run into difficulties on the days that it matters most. Below are three areas that you may want to check on a monthly basis to help you to achieve maximum performance and save cost at the same time.

• The Fuel System
If your fuel tank is made from aluminum, you need to check for salt water leaks. Why is this important? If there is a leak, when the water dries up, it will leave salt behind. If this goes unattended the salt will eat through the aluminum and that will cost you another tank. On the other hand, if your tank is made from plastic, make sure it is insulated and properly secure because any friction can result in a hole being punctured in the tank.
Regardless of the amount of fuel in your tank, make sure you treat your fuel regularly. This is important especially if your boat has been sitting for a while. It is also a good idea to inspect your Racor filter on a regular basis.

• The Electronics/ Electricals
There is a saying that says and I quote “if you don’t use it you’ll lose it”. A simple task of just turning on your electronics on a regular basis even if it is not being used will prolong their lives and go a long way. For example, if you have radar on your boat, and it has not been used for a while, it is important that every so often you turn that radar on and let it warm up for at least 30mins. Regular warm ups will enhance its function.
Battery failures can occur if batteries are being neglected and are not being charged. Some of these batteries can be recharged but, they will not be able to effectively hold that charge. Again, when this happens you will have to purchase a new battery.
Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, are becoming more and more popular. They are efficient in saving cost and energy for many. Therefore, replacing conventional bulbs with LEDs on your boat maybe something you might want to consider now or in the near future.

• The Plumbing
The most important thing to do when it comes to plumbing on your boat is to consistently check for the loss of water pressure. If there is a loss in pressure, it is a strong indication that water is leaking somewhere. As soon as this is confirmed, you will need to seek out the help of a professional to address the problem before it worsened.

I hope someone find these tips helpful if so, glad we could help. Enhance the performance of your boat while saving cost, from the folks at saboatparts.com/sablog