Performing A BOAT HEALTH Inspection!

[@charliejamison8541]

I run my rig once a week on the muffs and operate all the switches and systems. Ethanol only fuel, change the fuel water separator every 3-4 months and freshen up the CRC on the electrical connections once a year or so. Water pump, thermostats, gear lube and spark plugs once a year and keep soap on the boat. Take care of it and it’ll take care of you!

[@scottscaneh]

I'm old school my 2 stroke engine I still mix oil and gas and always use premium gas and have a water separator just in case. I carry extra spark plugs and change them yearly as well as my lower end fluid. Impeller gets changed every 3 years

[@PFLEONARDI0906]

Being an old school guy, checking oil/fluids on older vehicles/vessels was a necessity based on the consumption and leakage. The lack of consumption/leakage on newer vehicles/vessels have spoiled most people when it comes to fluids. Most people nowadays when they see no movement of the fluid level on a stick after 3 times forget about checking it. Thanks for these great videos!

[@bwagenberg]

Many pontoons have a lift up cover over the engine(s) holding a mattress, bathroom extra fuel tank or seating. This prevents hearing the motor, seeing the tell tail and encouraging forgetting about maintenance entirely.

[@WannaFly247]

I have a check list (so I don’t forget a thing) and a schedule rutine inspection every time I go out, also yearly maintenance by the book. If I am consistently doing this I will be saving $ and will never be towed again (one was enough and I learned the lesson)

[@Gmt_connection]

Everyone should do a pre-trip inspection before every use and even more importantly a post trip inspection to prevent down time !!

[@poormanselectronicsbench2021]

@ 8:03 OMG, wiring NIGHTMARE! Spotted corrosion on the first connectors on that cable you grabbed, WAAAY too many cables directed directly to batteries, corroded battery cable lugs, Wire just everywhere it shouldn't be. Whoever owns that boat needs to have good cable cutters and a BIG fire extinguisher right outside of that compartment, YIKES!

[@pap91rt50]

The doctor of Boatology... I operate two IO's and check most of my systems regularly. Can't pull off to the side of the road out there. Love your web site! Too bad you don't do anything with IO's

[@benjigans1419]

I generally check my oil on my 350 Merc verados every 30-50 hrs or so. Being that they're brand new I am not thinking something is going to go terribly wrong quickly. I do manually operate my bilge pump also. that tests the float switch to ensure that there is no water in the bilge and that the float switch is activating the bilge pump in order to drain out the water.

[@floridaoutdooradventures8981]

I would also recommend that you keep the seal on the trim system nicely greased up at all times (with marine grease) after you rinse it well with fresh water of course (after each use)! If that seal which is exposed to salt water constantly dries out and starts leaking, then you are in for AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR!!! I can't believe how beaten up these boats are!!! (the ones on your video). As far as I am concerned, driving a boat is no different than flying a plane, in the sense that my life depends on it when I am miles and miles offshore and need to head back to the shore to escape from a storm or sometimes I may have no options but to ride one! I've experienced both and it was very scary!!! If your boat is not reliable, you can die out there!! No joke!! I take my boat maintenance VERY SERIOUSLY and go over my check list the night before I head offshore every single time!! I had few close calls in the past, if my boat was not in top notch shape, I don't think I would be here today writing these comments... -:) Stay safe!

[@DJSbm-28]

I for one always do a pre check before going out. There is nothing I hate more than being stuck at the dock. I try and do a check the day before so that if something does show its ugly head hopefully I fix before we go out. Trying out save the day. Thanks for the tutorial always good to look at Soto keep up on things that might slip by. 😎👍🌴 Stay safe out there!

[@The.Norwegian]

Whoa, in the intro, the part with the top bolt through the power tilt motor: I've never seen that in my 10 years as an outboard mechanic. That's a cool fail!

[@hanzelbook]

I Love all the information that I get in this channel...good job.

[@johnmullen7254]

I have a optimax and I pull the belt off and check the compressor couple times a year

[@larrymayberry2312]

Another great video with useful information. Just wish more boaters would follow your advice.

[@A5JDZK]

Another hidden gem for the newby. Thanks again.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ericdavi1231]

Batteries in the bilge is such a bad idea. I was about to move my batteries to the console from the bilge in my last boat but I sold it. Then when I found my new boat 6 months later, the batteries were already in the console!

[@2fast4you25]

Yes That, and batteries next to fuel tanks, it just don't seem right. I keep them as far apart I can.

[@bradcranford2264]

One thing I like to do regularly with my 2 stroke Johnson 115 HP is to keep two sets of spark plugs. The day before I take the boat out I'll take the spark plugs that I used on the last trip out and put the other set that I already cleaned back in the heads.

[@ttv_restore9992]

Hey, I have a 1998 Johnson 115 SPL. I have a question does your engine start easily or does it take a long time to start?

[@bradcranford2264]

@@ttv_restore9992 my 2004 two stroke Johnson 115 was made by Bombardier, so I'm sure our engines are different. But to answer your question..... if my boat hasn't been operated for a while it's a little bit troublesome to crank. I added a fuel safe ball valve in the fuel line so I could shut off the fuel flow and allow the engine to run itself out of fuel after I flush the engine. This helps with cranking the engine next time because fuel hasn't been sitting in the carberators and/or the cylinders.

[@zacpearson1878]

If cable steering is stiff get the cables replaced cause ur gonna hit something. Also can you do a trailer lights video my left led trailer light will never work right is completely fine

[@JohnBraman413]

you got videos on diesel engine checkups? routine maintenance?

[@davidd8435]

Great video, thanks.

[@BornAgainBoating]

You are welcome!

[@lb7wade518]

Great info!!

[@JBAutomotive794]

That macerator pump at the end is what nightmares are made of

[@daisybeagle6259]

Some serious s##t went thru that one

[@danieltrevino4208]

Oil level on my two stroke

[@WesLovelace]

It amazes me that all the money that's spent on boats and how many owners completely ignore basic maintenance.....Knot only on the boat but completely ignoring the trailer!!

[@fuyt216]

Im guilty of trailer neglect. After having a wheel bearing lock up, ive got a lot better about checking it also.

[@WesLovelace]

@@fuyt216 About 2 weeks ago I was walking near the house and a tandem headed for the boat ramp lost the rear axel wheel.....He just kept dragging the boat all the way to the ramp.....LOL!!

[@fuyt216]

@@WesLovelace the boat ramp the place of wonder..lmao

[@WesLovelace]

@@fuyt216 One of the best forms of entertainment with a cold beer in hand on the weekend.....LOL!!

[@mclark2330]

Great video, thank you!

[@BornAgainBoating]

My pleasure!

[@bruceshepard1136]

If the batteries are low do you add distilled water in it ? Thank you love the information

[@PianoUniverse]

yes, always

[@Fishstycz]

That pump is approaching end of life.

[@twinbee13monsterhunter]

My lower unit paint is starting to chip off how do I stop this corrosion from spreading should I replace the anodes? My anodes dont look bad. I used sand paper and repainted some of it. How do I stop the corrosion from spreading?

[@WannaFly247]

Anodes, Mercury spray Paint

[@Fireship1]

Sand chipped spots, zinc chromate primer, OEM color paint, and if you want to go the extra step, clear coat. Make sure your anodes are bonded well to the motor.

[@UltraMagaFan]

If you have electrical wires in the water that can cause corrosion. Our boat has trim senders and the wires going to those weren't properly grounded or insulated and it caused the outdrive to corrode. If you have any electrical things in the water around your motor make sure its properly insulated and grounded.

[@Fireship1]

@@UltraMagaFan that is absolutely correct. Dock power is notorious for this as well. Not wired properly it will cause galvanic corrosion that will destroy your anodes first, then when they are depleted, your lower unit.

[@pescamarescaptainalex4457]

Nice video always helpful 👏👏👊

[@BornAgainBoating]

Happy to help!

[@2fast4you25]

I can never understand why people are so careless with their things. Not changing the oil, just adding it and since they are poring new oil everyrhing is fine, but the filter never gets touched, or just buying cheap parts, oils etc. Then they biiitcht how bad brands are. Its all on them.

[@Fireship1]

That pump in the last shots was BEYOND trashed! Who lets something on their boat get that bad?

[@cooletti]

Damn, that jabsco pump was effed up. I’ve never seen one so damn corroded.

[@MrBLULUNA]

💯🙏🏼💯🙏🏼💯🙏🏼💯

[@b.r.u.h8163]

Wow rip your boat it must be really old

[@TheDoug9901]

LOAD TEST the batteries more accurate. Spray your wiring with wd 40 or similar, especially you poor salt water guys and grease on battery terminals

[@keeshanell1777]

The puny crop anatomically colour because cotton aetiologically shock forenenst a numberless geometry. rightful, pale ice

[@OfficerDave78]

A lot of great info !