252-586-2005 111 E Wake Street Littleton, NC 27850 Bill's Marine Bill's Marine Seasonal Maintenance When spring comes and you're ready to take your boat out for the first launch of the season, remember to go through the steps of preparing it properly. When you sit around for a long time, you get lazy, and your boat is much the same. It has to be checked out, just as you going to a doctor for your annual checkup. If you have a marina in charge of your boat, they should prepare it for your summer use, but even then, you should ask exactly what they have done to get it ready. If you do most of your own boat maintenance, prepare yourself a checklist of items you should do every spring before you start trips: one for things to do before each trip during the season, and another for winterizing your boat. Changing The Oil One of the first things to be concerned with in at the start of the season is lubrication. Oil that has been sitting stationary for a while will congeal and become very thick. You might get a couple of seasons out of one oil change, but it's better to change it each year and not worry about the condition of the old oil. With an inboard motor, changing the oil can be a bit tricky, and it requires a special pan to catch the old oil. It's not a good idea to let it puddle under the motor and bilge pump it out, or let it leak out the drain hole to pollute the waters. If you don't know how to drain the oil, ask a mechanic before you attempt to perform this task. There are specific environmental considerations regarding the disposal of used motor oil. Gasoline In The Tank Plugs & Battery Out Of Water Maintenance Air Filter Maintenance General Clean Up Trailer Check Up Taking Her Out A well cared for boat is a happy boat, and so are its passengers. Ahoy, mate! About the Author Jane Warren is an avid outdoor water enthusiast who enjoys boating, swimming, diving and just about anything else related to outdoor water sports. CONTACT US Visit Us 111 E Wake Street Littleton, NC 27850 252-586-2005 View Map Hours Mon Closed Tue Closed Wed - Fri 10 AM - 5 PM Sat 10 AM - 2 PM Sun Closed Quick Links New Boats Pre-Owned Financing Parts Service About Us Contact Like Bill's Marine on Facebook! (opens in new window) Follow Bill's Marine on Instagram! (opens in new window) Follow Bill's Marine on Twitter! (opens in new window) Opens in new window POLICY PRIVACY TERMS ACCESSIBILITY SITE MAP COPYRIGHT© 2021 DEALER SPIKE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED