May sound like a dumb Question, but how often should a boat be serviced and what is done at the time of servicing.  I need to have my boat serviced and was just curious as to what is done.

I pack trailer wheel bearings, change lower unit oil, grease any fittings on motor, clean all battery cable connectors and give all hoses and wiring a good inspection, and change fuel filters every fall.  Since I fish pretty much year round, I don't fully winterize my boat but do most of the stuff you should do to winterize it.

I change the LU oil again in the spring (because I use it a lot during the winter also) clean battery cable connectors,  grease fittings and do visual inspection and change fuel filters.

If my boat was going to sit for a few months, I would pump out any gas in the tank, drain/purge fuel from carbs and lines.

I replace my water pump impeller every three or four years.

There are a number of other things you do as the start to show signs of degrading like trailer bunks and winch strap.

 

 

I was told to get the impeller replaced once a year unless you use it alot. I get mine replaced once every 2 years because I do use it alot. If your motor sets for awhile without running thr impeller takes a set shape and wont flow as well. You can always hook up a hose with the "Rabbit Ears" and run it for 5 minutes and this helps prolong the life of it.

When I have the inpeller changed I also have the lower end oil changed as well as have my prop checked for fishing line and have my mechanic give the Merc a "once over".

Yes, it would be cheaper to do it myself but I always get mine serviced during the winter months because his rates are 1/2 what they are in summer.

By the way, everyone I've talked to has told me the best thing you can do for your motor is use it.

bassnman mike

I do most of my maintenance myself:

Tuneup(Yearly)

Pack bearings(Every 6 months)

Change bearings and races(Every 12-18 months)

Impeller((12-15 months)

Service lower unit(Yearly)

Batteries(18 months)

Fuel Filters(Quarterly)

If you decide to change your bearings and races make sure you have access to a press. If you try to drive them in with a hammer and punch you will swell them and cause bearing failure.

The impeller is an easy fix once you have seen it done. Best thing a boater can do is make friends with a good marine mechanic.

Fishfordollars, I've changed bearings and races on my trailer wheels but never as often as you are doing it. Twelve - eighteen months is a short time period between replacements for me. Do you put a lot of miles or time in the water on your wheels ?

You are talking about 3 different types of maintenance: boat, motor, trailer.

Boat maintenance-- I do myself including electronics, trolling motor, batteries, etc. except if I see a spider crack then I go to the glass shop and have it fixed

Trailer maintenance-- I check my brakes, fluid, lights, tires, bearings, etc on a regular basis.  My trailer is 7 years old with the original bearings in but I keep them maintained with marine grease.  I have taken them out once, inspected them, put in new seals, and repacked them.

Motor maintenance-- I pull the prop and check for mono behind it a couple of times each year.  I change the lower unit lube every 6 months.  I change plugs every 100 hours.  I have the impellor changed every 3 years.  Once a year I have a moonlighting tech come by the house and give everything a good looking over.

Fishfordollars, I've changed bearings and races on my trailer wheels but never as often as you are doing it. Twelve - eighteen months is a short time period between replacements for me. Do you put a lot of miles or time in the water on your wheels ?

These are one way distances to the ramp:

Caney Creek(Sam Rayburn) 3 hrs.

Frontier Park (Toledo Bend) 3 1/2 hrs.

Stowaway (Conroe)             1 1/2 hr This is the closest to me of all

East Ramp(Lk Nacog.)             3 hr.

Lake Palestine                        4 hr.

these are just a few. As you can see there is nothing close to me. Each weekend is a 3-5 hour tow to the lake and back. Lots of miles.

Fishfordollars, I've changed bearings and races on my trailer wheels but never as often as you are doing it. Twelve - eighteen months is a short time period between replacements for me. Do you put a lot of miles or time in the water on your wheels ?

These are one way distances to the ramp:

Caney Creek(Sam Rayburn) 3 hrs.

Frontier Park (Toledo Bend) 3 1/2 hrs.

Stowaway (Conroe)             1 1/2 hr This is the closest to me of all

East Ramp(Lk Nacog.)             3 hr.

Lake Palestine                        4 hr.

these are just a few. As you can see there is nothing close to me. Each weekend is a 3-5 hour tow to the lake and back. Lots of miles.

Thanks.  I know you are an avid tournament angler so I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something that I should be doing.  

It just takes some driving to get to the water I fish. There are no lakes close to Houston(Except Lake Conroe) without driving a ways. Fact of life if you want to fish get up early or get there the night before.

I average 1,200-1,600 miles a month on the trailer if you go at each weekend..