Sponsored by Coastline Marine Service
By Trevor Goolsby
As the spring weather rapidly approaches, I’m sure many of you are like me and have already started your spring boat prep. Even though we are still a few weeks (maybe months) away, there are many service items you can take off your list now. One of the most important items for me is my engine service and prep. This process obviously varies with the type of drive system you have, but one fact that holds true is that all engines need service. I’m going to focus on outboard service because lets face it – they are the most common setup on the market today.
Outboard service has changed a lot over the years and with modern systems, even new engines need their routine maintenance. To start, I’m going to go over a few basic items I have picked up over the years. Number one, if possible USE FACTORY PARTS. I know this is a bold statement that not everyone is going to agree with, but I can tell you first hand it makes a difference. Second, don’t overlook small service items. If you see something that looks bad or worn out, fix it or at least figure out what is happening. This can save you in the long run from more costly repairs. People are shocked to hear how expensive or labor intensive it can be just to change a worn bushing or cracked housing that could have been prevented with simple service.
The biggest item to discuss when looking at what to service is the fuel system. This is by far the biggest cause for repair in the marine service industry, especially when dealing with gasoline engines. I’m not going to get into a long discussion about ethanol, but I will point out how to stay on top of it. Keeping your fuel fresh is the absolute best thing to do. There are additives that help condition and stabilize fuel but there is no substitution for new fresh fuel. If you don’t plan on using your boat, don’t fill it up and let the fuel sit for months. Change your fuel filters every year or as often as you can. There are multiple fuel filters on new outboards, so make sure you get them all. For example, a Yamaha F225 has four different serviceable fuel filters under the cowling not including the boat fuel water separator (remember use factory filters if possible).
I could go on for hours on this topic but will try to keep this section short and sweet. Aside from the basics of fuel filters, oil changes, water pumps, etc. the biggest long term issue you may encounter is corrosion. How does this relate to annual service you may wonder? It has everything to do with annual service. Basic tasks like changing an impeller, zincs and spark plugs all have an element of corrosion service. You have to remove bolts that secure these items and when you do, you are keeping them from seizing up long term (applying grease upon reinstalling when needed). This has a much large value than many people think. If you wait until your water pump fails (maybe 10 years) and you can’t get the lower unit off because the bolts are seized, you’re in for a much larger repair than if you performed the same service on a regular basis. This theory applies across the board.
To summarize what I have hit on, remember the core points. Use factory parts (my opinion), Don’t overlook small details, and try to service all components on a regular basis. These basic principles combined with keeping your fuel fresh is a road map to a successful trouble free boating season.
Coastline Marine Service is New England’s exclusive Release boat dealer. For more information on Coastline Marine Service located in Marblehead, MA, call (781) 990-1284 or visit their website.