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Keeping your boat engine and drive in top condition is easy as long as you avoid a few pitfalls and have basic fluids and some parts checked/changed.

 Just like a car you should have your boat serviced at regular intervals. This way the next time you launch your boat you won't have any surprises. We have put together a list of things that you can do to save yourself some grief, money, time , and most of all disappointment.

Boats are fun! Or at least they should be. 

Don't let a few bad habits ruin it for you. Owning a boat comes with a short list of critical items that you must stay on top of in order to obtain the years of service that the boat was designed for. Unlike a car a boats integrity can rapidly deteriorate if left unattended. Boat owners commonly make the mistake of thinking that they can leave their boat in the driveway (or worse; in the water) and come back to it several months later and it will start and run like it did the day they left it. 


Watch Your Step!

Spring is here and its time to get your boat back in the water. Spring is a critical moment for you as a boat owner when you make many decisions that will dictate how your entire summer season will play out. Every spring BT Marine de-winterizes countless boats for the summer season. We have witnessed that boat owners who take the time to carefully check their boats for problems early in the season have fewer problems during the season and consequently more time to spend on the water. Here are a few steps that you should take to save yourself costly expense, time, and frustration this season.

Check for Mold

Remove all items from your boat, open all hatches and cargo areas so that you can thoroughly inspect your boat for mold. Mold will start growing in the darkest most humid corners of your boat and cause smelly, ugly, unhealthy conditions. If you find mold on a hard surface it can be easily removed with bleach and water. If however you find mold in your boats carpet or other hard to reach areas it can be removed professionally via high temp steam. At BT Marine we have an array of  steam equipment that can sterilize and extract mold and other contaminants from a number of surfaces including carpet, upholstery, and inaccessible areas of the engine bay and inner hull. It's a simple step that can save you expenses down the road.

Have a Mechanical Inspection Performed.

Before you put your boat back in the water you should have your mechanical systems professionally checked. This will not only potentially save you money on costly mechanical failures but is a safety concern as well. Here is a list of items that should be checked before your boat hits the water again.

  • Change Crankcase Oil and Filter
  • Change Sterndrive Unit Oil
  • Check Engine Alignment
  • Lubricate U-joint Cross Bearings
  • Clean and Inspect Flame Arrestor and Crankcase Vent Hose
  • Re-torque Gimbal Ring Clamping Screws
  • Lubricate Swivel Shaft and Gimbal Bearing
  • Lubricate Engine Coupler and Prop-shaft Splines
  • Clean and Inspect Condition of Ignition System
  • Lubricate and Check for Loose, Damaged or Missing Parts on Steering System
  • Check for Loose or Damaged Wiring
  • Check Ignition Timing and Adjust
  • Check Continuity Circuit for Loose Connections, Broken or Frayed Wires
  • Lubricate and Inspect Shift and Throttle Cables
  • Inspect Cooling System Hoses and Clamps
  • Inspect Exhaust System
  • Replace Fuel Filters
  • Inspect Drive Unit Bellows and Clamps
  • Check Battery Connections
  • Check Battery Electrolyte Level and Top Off
  • Clean Sea Strainers

Check Your Trailer

Often over looked your trailer is a crucial component to your boating experience. 

  • Check your tires for wear and replace if needed.
  • Check wheel bearings every 1k miles and before every season.
  • Check trailer wiring connections and all lights for operation.
  • Check and tighten the tongue lock.
  • Have your brakes inspected by a professional if your trailer has a braking system. 
Fret Not!

If you have kept up on all of these points through the years most will be a simple inspection. Last but not least arrange for your boat to be stored in a safe dry place when not in use. 


 

We Use Steam as Our Primary Cleaning Method for Boat Interiors. 

Boats present a unique challenge when cleaning. Their are many areas for moister to settle that have no direct sunlight exposure. Left alone these areas breed bacteria and mold. It's necessary to regularly air out storage compartments to keep this from happening and wipe down contaminated areas with bleach and water. Carpeted and upholstered areas however require a different approach The principle is simple; a powerful flow of exceptionally hot and dry steam comes out of a hose connected to a steam generation machine, containing only 5% water, making the cleaning process mess-free. Many accessories, brushes and attachments are usually connected on the hose to accomplish various cleaning tasks. 

The steam itself, reaching over 300º F, is the cleaning agent, with no chemicals! 

Steam can be safely applied to virtually any surface when using the right technique. On contact, steam will dislodge dirt, greases and grime. It is possible to scrub with steam to remove the hardest residue which would normally be almost impossible to clean, such as the stitching on your seats. Steam also works very effectively on leather and vinyl, lifting dirt and leaving the material soft and supple. Steam works wonders for removing tanning oil from boat seats and stitching! It is important to understand that every object, surface or material is not perfectly smooth. Under magnification, you see porous surfaces that attract dirt within their tiny pores. 

Steam kills germs, & mold, on contact.

Super heated steam, because of its very high temperature, will penetrate microscopic holes virtually melting the dirt, effectively removing it in these pores and killing germs, mold, bacteria, etc. All this is done without any chemical cleaning products, all using only normal tap water! That’s why steam cleaning is excellent for people who are affected by chemical residues or for allergy sufferers. The lack of toxic residues in your boat can be a huge health benefit.

Carpets are rejuvenated.

We use a combination of steam and an extractor to thoroughly clean carpets. The temperature of the steam makes the carpet fibers snap back to their original shape and fluff. High traffic areas look new again, and you have piece of mind knowing that your boat is clean enough to eat off of.

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