Boat Maintanance Time

Get out the boat bucks (1 boat buck = $1,000)! Take a deep breath and steady yourself. As we head towards the boating season and before you really dare take your boat out of the marina, it is time to either hire someone to do some basic annual maintenance or do it yourself.

The DIY approach will save you hundreds of dollars, possibly even a boat buck or two. BUT! This approach is also a bit dangerous since you are relying on your own abilities in the engine room to do the work properly, not to mention getting into the often cramped space inside the hatch.

Boats are generally designed for passenger comfort and too often the engine space is somewhat of an after thought. As long as the engine can fit in the allowed space, the boat builder is happy. I've even seen boats built in such a way that there is literally no way to pull the engine out of the boat in the event that it becomes necessary, and inevitably it will. These boats were literally built around the engine. To remove it you have to cut open the top of the boat adding thousands to the project cost, not to mention the lost time in the water.

This spring my boat, the Key of Sea, has the typical need to replace the engine oil and filters, fuel filters, transmission oil, raw water impellers and the possible added project of replacing the raw water pumps. Current approximate estimate to have all this work done by a professional mechanic--$2,700. I'm getting a second opinion on the work by a mechanic of another boat buddy of mine. I'm also thinking about options such as replacing one of the pumps this spring and the other one next spring. The pumps are $700 each not including the labor.

I am also looking at what work I might want to take on myself. I think I can handle the raw water impellers and the fuel filter replacement. Engine oil is a bit bigger deal. Some parts are a little too far out of the way for me to reach. Hmmmmm

All of this AND other projects I want to get on such as repairing the leaky dinghy, replacing some rotting wood on a seat bench on the fly bridge and then there is the cleaning of the boat; pressure washing it, washing, waxing all needs to be done.

We want to take her out on a shake down cruise at the end of March to Anacortes with our Power Squadron buddies. But, no way unless we can get some of this done ahead of the event.

Meanwhile, the weather isn't really cooperating as it is still very cold (it even snowed today and is scheduled to again a couple more times over the next several days. I can't handle the cold weather when having to be a contortionist for hours at a time. Come on spring!