KITTED-UP
Care for your boat
Personal gear aside, boat and engine maintenance should be ongoing throughout the year. Annual servicing and being alert to any minor problems, before they become major ones, is a must regardless of whether the boat or RIB is used year-round, or laid up for the winter.
Like many a club boat, my own RIB is used 12 months of the year so I don’ t winterise the engine. If it’ s had a longish gap between dives I’ ll take it for a good run to blow away the cobwebs rather than have it sit in inactivity.
Winterising can be done by a professional, but many boat owners are more than capable of carrying out the process for themselves. Some outboards may require different approaches to the task, but it should begin with flushing the system through with fresh water.
It’ s a process which should, but is perhaps not always, carried out after every use and is usually achieved with muffs via
a hosepipe. Descaling liquid, added to a bucket or flushing bag will also assist in removing any salt residue in the engine.
Since the changeover from E5 to E10 at the petrol pumps, the latter’ s higher ethanol content has been reported to cause problems, particularly on older engines if the fuel is left standing for long periods.
Adding fuel conditioner / stabiliser can prevent fuel breakdown and oxidisation while also lubricating carburettors and injectors. Fogging oil, sprayed through the carbs acts as a protective coating on the internals of the engine.
After removing the spark plugs, injector nozzles or glow plugs, the same product, sprayed into the cylinder itself will also help winterise the engine’ s components. The power head should not be neglected and a water-repellent oil such as good old WD40 should keep it free from corrosion.
Steering, control and shift cable linkages, plus engine grease points should be attended to and the gearbox oil changed.
It’ s as good a time as any to change the engine oil for four-strokes and when all is completed the engine should be stored / orientated in an upright position.
For trailered boats it’ s also the ideal opportunity to check or change brake pads and linkages. Some owners block up the trailer to take the strain off the suspension and tyres or even remove the wheels themselves, which also goes a way to preventing possible theft.
If the boat isn’ t stored inside, then a decent cover or tarpaulin fastened down securely will protect it from the ravages of the winter’ s frost, snow, rain and gales. So when the spring arrives it’ ll be in tip-top condition.
Finally, do not fail to neglect the main component of diving – yourself. Don’ t fall into the winter in front of the television trap. Stay fit by walking, running, going to the gym. Even better, use your local swimming pool to stay in condition and retain a connection with the water. �
Remove spark plugs in order to apply a protective lubricant
The power head and electrics should be protected from corrosion with a suitable water-repellent spray
Flushing the engine with fresh water using muffs
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