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Time to clean out the boat
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It’s time to get your new fishing and hunting license if you haven’t already as the old ones expired Aug. 31.
A lot of fishermen also hunt. With hunting season coming soon, if you’re a hunter and your boat is going to be sitting for the next few months now is the time to get your boat maintenance done before putting it in storage.
For starters, fill your gas tank and treat with Stabil. Saltwater boats need a good freshwater flush, it’s a must for your boat motor. Even though, like many others, we fish year round, this is still a good time to do a complete maintenance job on the boat in the lull before the hot fall bite starts.
I like to putter, not related to golf in any way, but my way of slowly getting things done. With an hour or so after work spread out over a week or two or on a day off. I can pass some very relaxing time while doing my boat maintenance. In no particular order other than to make myself a list and make sure it all gets done.
Check air pressure in trailer tires, repack or grease trailer wheel bearings and add a couple pumps of grease on all grease fittings on the boat motor and trailer. I use a synthetic grease by Superior Friction Reduction Corporation made specially for extreme conditions like high temperatures and constant water exposure.
Clean all battery terminals and give them a light spray of Corrosion X in the red can. Check fuses and electronics plug-ins giving all of them a light spray of Blakemore Reel Magic or Corrosion X. Clean out bilge and live-wells. Any store selling boat supplies and accessories has bilge cleaner. I fill live-wells with a water hose and add a little bit of common bleach, with a clean rag wipe everything you can reach, let sit a minute while re-circulating then drain. Refill with fresh water, re-circulate a minute drain, wipe dry with towel and live-wells are done.
Change lower unit gear lube. Check for a milky color when draining which indicates there is water in the system and leaking seals. If this happens, it’s time to go to the shop to get it fixed. If no milk color is seen then refill by using a lower unit pump which fills from the bottom until oil runs out the top hole. I use Royal Purple Max Gear 75W-90 with SFR 100 added to it.
Clean out, assess and restock storage compartment items. Vacuum, wash and then wax everything but the part of the hull that sets in the water with a good Carnuba wax made for Gelcoat. Meguiar’s gold class paste wax works great for me. Make sure your batteries have a full charge and check periodically every couple weeks during storage time. A battery going bad will often be revealed when setting for a long period by going dead or being low.
Also if you have a short or have left some power source on that should have been off you’ll find out before it ruins your next fishing trip. The whole maintenance process is a great way to find those loose screws, nuts, bolts and electrical connections that shake loose from the constant vibrations of being on the road and water. You’ll likely find any developing major problems that may require a trip to your boat mechanic for repair. If your prop is dinged and dented consider taking it to a prop shop to be redone or buying a new prop. You lose major performance with a damaged prop.
The Impeller or water pump in your boat motor’s lower unit should be replaced every couple of years. Getting any major repairs done at a shop that you need while your in an off time from fishing along with the maintenance program will have your boat all ready to go for your next fishing trip whenever that time comes for you.
I also like to go through my tackle bags restocking with fall time baits. Changing out fishing line on select rods. Checking reels and giving each bearing a drop of SFR 100 from my reel oiler. SFR Corporation makes a variety of synthetic oils and additives. SFR was originally made only for industrial applications but they have expanded their product lines over the years, covering gas and diesel applications with a new line of green products. Check them out on line at sfrcorp.com. I’ve used SFR 100 for years and nothing works better.
Fish are going to be moving into fall patterns as water starts to cool and days get shorter toward the end of September. The hot bite will again be on as fish of all species start feeding more. I really like fall fishing, cooler days, hot bites and a lot less boats on the water make for some great times on the water. So get that boat and tackle prepared and ready to go, and have some great fall fishing.
Lon Shipe is a professional angler and is currently sponsored by Daiichi XPoint Blakemoore.
A lot of fishermen also hunt. With hunting season coming soon, if you’re a hunter and your boat is going to be sitting for the next few months now is the time to get your boat maintenance done before putting it in storage.
For starters, fill your gas tank and treat with Stabil. Saltwater boats need a good freshwater flush, it’s a must for your boat motor. Even though, like many others, we fish year round, this is still a good time to do a complete maintenance job on the boat in the lull before the hot fall bite starts.
I like to putter, not related to golf in any way, but my way of slowly getting things done. With an hour or so after work spread out over a week or two or on a day off. I can pass some very relaxing time while doing my boat maintenance. In no particular order other than to make myself a list and make sure it all gets done.
Check air pressure in trailer tires, repack or grease trailer wheel bearings and add a couple pumps of grease on all grease fittings on the boat motor and trailer. I use a synthetic grease by Superior Friction Reduction Corporation made specially for extreme conditions like high temperatures and constant water exposure.
Clean all battery terminals and give them a light spray of Corrosion X in the red can. Check fuses and electronics plug-ins giving all of them a light spray of Blakemore Reel Magic or Corrosion X. Clean out bilge and live-wells. Any store selling boat supplies and accessories has bilge cleaner. I fill live-wells with a water hose and add a little bit of common bleach, with a clean rag wipe everything you can reach, let sit a minute while re-circulating then drain. Refill with fresh water, re-circulate a minute drain, wipe dry with towel and live-wells are done.
Change lower unit gear lube. Check for a milky color when draining which indicates there is water in the system and leaking seals. If this happens, it’s time to go to the shop to get it fixed. If no milk color is seen then refill by using a lower unit pump which fills from the bottom until oil runs out the top hole. I use Royal Purple Max Gear 75W-90 with SFR 100 added to it.
Clean out, assess and restock storage compartment items. Vacuum, wash and then wax everything but the part of the hull that sets in the water with a good Carnuba wax made for Gelcoat. Meguiar’s gold class paste wax works great for me. Make sure your batteries have a full charge and check periodically every couple weeks during storage time. A battery going bad will often be revealed when setting for a long period by going dead or being low.
Also if you have a short or have left some power source on that should have been off you’ll find out before it ruins your next fishing trip. The whole maintenance process is a great way to find those loose screws, nuts, bolts and electrical connections that shake loose from the constant vibrations of being on the road and water. You’ll likely find any developing major problems that may require a trip to your boat mechanic for repair. If your prop is dinged and dented consider taking it to a prop shop to be redone or buying a new prop. You lose major performance with a damaged prop.
The Impeller or water pump in your boat motor’s lower unit should be replaced every couple of years. Getting any major repairs done at a shop that you need while your in an off time from fishing along with the maintenance program will have your boat all ready to go for your next fishing trip whenever that time comes for you.
I also like to go through my tackle bags restocking with fall time baits. Changing out fishing line on select rods. Checking reels and giving each bearing a drop of SFR 100 from my reel oiler. SFR Corporation makes a variety of synthetic oils and additives. SFR was originally made only for industrial applications but they have expanded their product lines over the years, covering gas and diesel applications with a new line of green products. Check them out on line at sfrcorp.com. I’ve used SFR 100 for years and nothing works better.
Fish are going to be moving into fall patterns as water starts to cool and days get shorter toward the end of September. The hot bite will again be on as fish of all species start feeding more. I really like fall fishing, cooler days, hot bites and a lot less boats on the water make for some great times on the water. So get that boat and tackle prepared and ready to go, and have some great fall fishing.
Lon Shipe is a professional angler and is currently sponsored by Daiichi XPoint Blakemoore.
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