If you are using your boat in SALT WATER or BRACKISH water, you should flush your outboard with clean fresh water after EACH USE. It's also recommended to flush your outboard EVERY SIX WEEKS when it's been sitting in STORAGE. Some people even flush their outboard motors after running in freshwater rivers or lakes.
Regular flushing with freshwater is key to maintaining any outboard motor used in saltwater. Most outboard manufacturers recommend a freshwater flush after every use in saltwater to clear the cooling passages of salt residue and scale that can accumulate and impede the flow of vital cooling water through the engine.
Flush for at least five minutes at an idle speed, with the engine in a vertical position. When using the flushing port, it is not necessary to run the engine. Keep the engine vertical after flushing so that all water drains from the powerhead.
Boats should be serviced at least once a year, although some may require more frequent servicing. Regular cleaning and polishing, checking the propeller for damage, and replacing worn-out components such as the boat's ropes or anchors are also important aspects of boat maintenance.
An engine flush is generally recommended once or twice a year, depending on how many short trips you take and if you drive in hot or dusty climates. It is often best to combine an engine flush with an oil change, making sure to get the engine flush right before the oil change.
Is An Engine Flush Necessary? A good engine flush can help loosen deposits and dissolve sludge, returning your engine to like-new condition. However, in old engines with high miles, the engine sludge may be the only barrier keeping engine oil from seeping through worn or cracked seals.
Certain engine flush chemicals can be quite harsh, potentially causing deterioration or damage to engine seals. This can lead to oil leaks post-flush. An engine excessively clogged with sludge might already be indicative of an underlying maintenance or operational issue.
Most experts say you can expect to get 1,500 hours out of a gas boat engine before it needs to be rebuilt. This means you can drive at cruising speed every day, and still only use up one year/'s worth of driving time in ten years. Your boat motor is likely to have fewer than this if it has been taken care of.
Annual boat maintenance checklist
Wash and waterproof canvas: Give your Biminis and covers a good washdown and reapply any waterproofing solutions or sprays once a year. Change the fluids: Change the engine oils, engine oil filters, and fuel filters once a year or every 100 hours of engine runtime.
Generally, 50-100 hours per year is typically a good range (not running too hard but still used enough) for a recreational cruising boat, and 50-60 hours for a one-season boat. Personally, 500-1000 hrs seem reasonable and wouldn't bother me too much.
Not flushing outboard motors would cause the buildup of salt in your engine, which leads to blockages and finally results in overheating and corrosion. The issue doesn't happen overnight but will occur over time.
Do not run the engine during this procedure. If you are using a built-in flushing device, an outboard can be flushed with the boat on a lift or in the water; it works best if you can trim the engine up so the gearcase is out of the water.
As a general rule of thumb, it is advisable to flush your engine for 10 minutes after each use.
Hydraulic fuel lines are responsible for delivering fuel to the engine and other components of the boat's hydraulic system. Most hoses on a boat, including hydraulic fuel lines, have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years under normal operating conditions.
It's best to tilt your outboard up when leaving your boat in the water to prevent marine growth from forming and from corrosion eating away at its metal parts. That being said, there are some instances when you may prefer tilting your outboard down.
An engine flush is an aftermarket chemical additive designed to clean accumulated deposits, sludge and other gunk from your engine. You pour it into your engine's oil-filler port and idle the engine for about 10-15 minutes.
How many hours is good for a used boat? A used boat powered by an outboard motor or gas inboard with less than 1000 hours is a boat worth considering a purchase. For example, if you're looking at a boat with 300 hours, this is not considered a lot, as recreational boats typically see 75 to 150 hours of use per year.
It's always best to check with the manufacturer, and follow their specific recommendations. How much is boat maintenance? As a general rule of thumb most people find that annual maintenance costs run about 10-percent of the cost of the boat, or less.
With proper handling, a regular fiberglass boat can last for 10 to 25 years. A well-maintained boat can even last for more than 50 years. Now that you're more aware of the common boat materials.
Collectively, new boat owners pay around $5,000-$8,000 per year in maintenance costs. That's why it's a good idea to get an idea of the true cost, monetary and effort-wise, of owning a boat before getting one.
So for a 5-year old boat, anywhere between 375 to 750 engine hours would be considered reasonable. Boats that are 15-20 years old should be approached with a little more caution, even if their engine hours are within the reasonable range. Well-maintained engines have an average lifespan of about 1500-2000 hours.
Both Mercury and Yamaha have built solid reputations for producing reliable outboard motors. Over the years, they have earned the trust of countless boaters worldwide. However, individual models within each brand may vary in terms of reliability, so it's crucial to research specific models and read customer reviews.
Severe Driving Conditions: If you frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, extreme temperatures, or dusty environments, an engine flush might be beneficial. Poor Maintenance History: If the vehicle has a history of infrequent oil changes, an engine flush can help clean out accumulated sludge.
Having a mechanic perform an engine oil flush usually costs between $50 and $100, with additives adding $10 to $30. Of course, the exact fee depends on your additive brand and type, who is doing the job, and the method.
If you hear strange noises from your engine, see a drop in engine performance, or notice an increase in exhaust fumes, these could be the signs that your engine needs flushing.