Maintaining your vessel
Keeping your vessel in good working order or ‘winterising’ it, is a key to enjoying your activity.
| Vessel part | Action |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank | • Avoid using old fuel • Keep clean and dry |
| Fuel line | • Check for cracking and loose fittings |
| Fuel filter | • Check and replace as necessary |
| Fuel system (if you suspect any ethanol fuel blend has been used) | • Drain and clean out tank • Clean fuel lines • Change fuel filters |
| Batteries | • Check electrolyte, top up with distilled water • Recharge, check mountings, clean terminals |
| Wiring | • Check for cracking, loose wire and corrosion |
| Spark plugs | • Clean and check the gap or replace |
| Steering gear and other moving parts | • Lubricate all moving parts |
| Cooling system | • Clean passages |
| Propeller | • Sand or file small nicks |
| Reserve buoyancy | • Check condition and that it is securely in place, replace worn or degraded materials |
| Hull and outer surfaces | • Clean hull • Replace sacrificial anodes as appropriate |
| Vessel part | Action |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank | • Check for water in fuel |
| Fuel line | • Watch for leaks |
| Fuel filter | • Check and clean |
| Fuel system (if you suspect any ethanol fuel blend has been used) | • Do not leave ethanol fuel standing in any tanks • Check fuel filters • Monitor engine operating temperature |
| Batteries | • Check electrolyte top up with distilled water • Recharge, check mountings, clean terminals |
| Wiring | |
| Spark plugs | • Watch for fouling, moisture • Keep engine tuned • Clean and check the gap as necessary |
| Steering gear and other moving parts | • Lubricate every 60 days |
| Cooling system | • Check ports for weeds • Flush after use in salt water |
| Propeller | • Check regularly |
| Reserve buoyancy | • Regularly check it is securely in place |
| Hull and outer surfaces | • Keep clean |
| Fuel tank | • Store in dry place (vented) • If metal, swish with 2 stroke oil |
| Fuel line | • Drain |
| Fuel filter | • Check and clean |
| Fuel system (if you suspect any ethanol fuel blend has been used) | • Drain all ethanol blended fuel from tanks, fuel lines and carburettors |
| Batteries | • Check electrolyte, top up with distilled water |
| Wiring | |
| Spark plugs | |
| Steering gear and other moving parts | • Lubricate before storing |
| Cooling system | • Flush with water • Drain all water by pull starting with plugs disconnected |
| Propeller | • Check condition • Repair if required |
| Reserve buoyancy | • Keep clean and dry |
| Hull and outer surfaces | • Keep clean, touch up with paint (but don’t paint the anodes) |