Annual Maintenance Routines: An OCD Approach
January 09, 2024 10 min read
In my early days of owning boats, “maintenance” was another word for “repair.” I didn’t do anything until something broke — and even then, I only fixed whatever was broken if it interfered with my next fishing trip. Today, I look forward to November, when I spend a week or more going through my annual maintenance routines and bringing my boat back up to “new.” You might wonder how a guy goes from an “ADHD” approach to boat maintenance to one closer to OCD, but if there was hope for me, there is hope for anybody.
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Planned Maintenance Is Better than Unplanned
The idea of actually looking forward to annual maintenance may seem foreign. If it does, don’t worry I was there once, too. Over the years, however, I’ve experienced enough unpleasant versions of “unplanned” maintenance to truly appreciate planned maintenance. Believe me, planned maintenance usually involves good weather, ready-at-hand tools and plenty of time, while unplanned usually includes a hostile work environment and usually some foul language.
Planned maintenance usually involves good weather, ready-at-hand tools and plenty of time, while unplanned usually includes a hostile work environment and usually some foul language.
There were several things that happened to convert me from “reactive” maintenance to “proactive” maintenance, and while getting stranded a few dozen times was part of it, there were also more positive motivations. The two biggest motivators were 1) picking a specific, consistent month of the year to get it done and 2) knowing exactly what “annual maintenance” included. Of the two, the first one made the biggest difference.
Choose an Annual Maintenance Month
I can’t say I was smart enough to figure out the value of picking a specific month of the year for annual boat maintenance. Actually, I sort of fell into it. I bought my current boat around my birthday in November many years ago. Exactly one year later, I discovered a structural issue that required serious repair. A year — to the month — later, and with the job half done, I took the boat to a second shop to finish the restoration job. Coincidentally, it was finished in — you guessed it — November.
I can’t say I was smart enough to figure out the value of picking a specific month of the year for annual boat maintenance. Actually, I sort of fell into it.
That marked three years when something significant happened with the boat around my birthday. When I got it back, I wanted to add a bunch of stuff to the boat, but having just dealt with a major issue, I made myself wait a full year before putting more money into it. That brought me, once again, to November — and boy did I spend some money!
Somewhere along the line, November became my annual maintenance month, which worked particularly well because the weather in coastal North Carolina is usually ideal for crawling around bilges and under trailers. It also worked well because my wife and kids are always looking for something to get me for my birthday. If you know boats, you know that there’s no shortage of “stuff” they need, and these make easy, if somewhat unexciting, gift ideas.
Doing the maintenance in November killed a lot of birds. It was a significant month, the weather was great, people were looking to spend money on me, and it was the anniversary of the original purchase of the boat, so what better month to make her new again?
Follow Your Annual Maintenance Checklist
With a solid annual routine in place, the next question was simply, “What needs to be done?” There were two parts to this answer. The first part was answered by keeping a running “punch list” of stuff that broke throughout the year that I didn’t want or need to address immediately. Light goes out? Hardly use it anyway; add it to the “November fix list.” Gelcoat starting to get oxidized? November fix list. Trailer light out? Fix it in November … just hope the cops don’t notice.
Light goes out? Hardly use it anyway; add it to the “November fix list.” Gelcoat starting to get oxidized? November fix list.
The second part was much more formulaic. If you own a boat, there are some things that simply need to be done annually. Below is a rough list to consider when you are building your own routine. Not all of these items need to be done every year, but all of these should be considered as you plan what maintenance to complete:
Engine Service
On an annual basis, or every 100 hours, your engine will require some level of service. Marine mechanics generally have a specific set of items included in their “annual service,” but it is a good idea to be specific about what they will do. The most common “annual service” typically includes:
- Spark plug replacement
- Fuel filter replacement
- Water pump impeller inspection/replacement
- Oil change
- Lower unit oil replacement
- Prop shaft lubrication
Anode Inspection
Inspect the condition of the sacrificial anodes on your boat and engine. These anodes are designed to corrode in order to protect the metals around them, but should be replaced when they are half gone.
Steering Inspection
Often taken for granted, the steering system of a boat requires inspection on an annual basis. Any binding, play or change in behavior from a steering system should be taken extremely seriously. Cable-driven steering systems should be inspected for corrosion. Hydraulic systems should be inspected for leaks. This is a good time to re-grease any zerk fittings on the engine and check your tilt/trim fluids as well.
Any binding, play or change in behavior from a steering system should be taken extremely seriously.
Bilge Debris Removal
Over time, debris will find its way down into the bilge of your boat. This can include organic debris, such as leaves and sticks, as well as inorganic debris such as zip-ties, wiring connections, plastic lures, screws, bolts and washers. Any of these can clog a bilge pump or interfere with the float switch operation, leading to catastrophic issues later on. Take time to bleach and clean out your bilge to ensure your bilge pump can remove water when it needs to.
Bilge Pump Operation
With the bilge clean, it’s a good idea to test your bilge pump annually for both operation and strength. Like any other plastic equipment that is constantly submerged in water, the components of your bilge pump can degrade over time, making it less effective. If your pump or automatic switch aren’t operating like new, take the time to replace them.
Like any other plastic equipment that is constantly submerged in water, the components of your bilge pump can degrade over time.
Electrical System Test
If you regularly protect your electrical equipment from corrosion, an annual test of your systems should be a quick and simple operation. This annual check simply ensures that every system, every light and every component is working as it should or is addressed proactively.
Accessory Maintenance Inspection
Trolling motors, GPS units, shallow water anchoring systems and any other addition you’ve made to your boat all have their own maintenance requirements. Annually, take a moment to review the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations to ensure your equipment remains in good working order.
Plumbing Inspection
As mentioned earlier, your plumbing system on your boat represents a serious risk to your boat. A broken fitting, a leaky connection, can send gallons of water into your bilge in a matter of minutes. Take a few minutes to check the connections and condition of your boat’s plumbing system. Any unexpected water in the bilge should be taken seriously and chased down to its source.
Hull Inspection
Once a year, take time to thoroughly inspect your hull for damage. If you are already doing brief inspections quarterly, focus your attention annually on harder to inspect areas. Taking video of these annual inspections can be highly useful in the case of a future insurance claim should damage unexpectedly appear.
Through-Hull Inspection
The through-hulls on your boat are the first line of defense against water intrusion. These fittings, made of brass, stainless steel or plastic, are originally installed with a sealant that, over time, degrades and will ultimately fail. Inspecting these for signs of sealant degradation on an annual basis will help you proactively identify potential leaks. If any of these fitting need resealing, 3M 4200 or marine grade silicone are good products to use.
Leak Check
At least once per year, check your hull for leaks. Start with a dry bilge, use the boat for a day, then drain the bilge. Some water will find its way in, but if it is more than a gallon, you should take the time to trace the leak to its source. Through-hull fittings and the sealant around engine mounting bolts are the most common causes, but sometimes these leaks can be caused by more significant issues.
Insurance Coverage
While not technically part of the boat, your annual maintenance routine should include a quick review of your boat insurance coverage, especially if you’ve added equipment or changed the way you use the vessel.
Hatch Cleanout
Like the compartments in cars, over time the hatches of a boat simply seem to collect stuff. A candy wrapper here, an empty water bottle there, a screw found loose on the deck — after a while, you end up with more junk in these hatches than actual equipment. Taking time, annually, to clean and re-organize these hatches will ensure you can get to what you need when you need it.
Canvas and Upholstery Cleaning and Treatment
Taking time annually to clean and treat your canvas and upholstery will protect it for the upcoming season and make it easier to clean after each trip. Waterproofing any canvas will keep mold and mildew at bay and extend the life of this expensive material.
Why Annual Maintenance Matters
If the idea of annual maintenance seems overwhelming, you are in good company. Many boat owners put off or ignore this critical routine, and eventually it catches up with them. Instead of doing work in a comfortable situation with plenty of tools and time, they find themselves in a situation that is, at best, inconvenient or, at worst, downright dangerous. They end up spending more time addressing the same issues in difficult situations as they would have in their comfortable driveway or dock.
Don’t ask me how I know that.
