AFTER EVERY TRIP

 

After every outing, it is a good practice to flush out the engine with fresh water.  This applies to engines equipped with fresh water cooling and salt water.  While flushing, check that the water supply has good water flow and that the water stream is strong and steady.

 

Owners with outboards that are carbureted should disconnect the fuel line and allow the engine to burn all the fuel in the carburetor; to help avoid the effect of ethanol fuels.  It is also important to always use fresh fuel. At the end of the season or after sitting for 60 days, drain your tanks and take the ethanol enhanced fuel to the proper recycling authority because it has exceeded its expiration time. 

 

After running the engine out of fuel, turn off the key and battery switch, if you have one.  Wipe everything down and spray all the moving parts with an anti-corrosive lubricant such as WD 40, 6-56 or Corrosion X (highly recommended). We advise you rinse down and lubricate your trailer fittings as well.

 

 

INBOARD & OUTBOARD MAINTENANCE
 

A tune up should be done every year or every 100 hrs, whichever comes first, at a minimum.  The oil should be changed every 50 hrs or before lay up, this will help to extend its life and ensure its reliability.  Always use fresh fuel to prevent the damaging effects of phase separation.  Try to only put enough fuel in the boat that you will burn for the day, this will ensure that the fuel supply is fresh and avoiding the damaging effects of ethanol.  To make sure internal engine parts stay lubricated, carburetors and injectors from gumming and that batteries are charged to keep enough power in the batteries for proper operation of bilge pumps. You should run the engine at least once every two weeks during the boating season for approximately 30 minutes.