Maintenance schedule by engine

MerCruiser annual/100-hour service. Change the oil before winter storage even if you are far from 100 hours, because used oil holds acids. Many manuals call for a first check during break-in (about 20 hours). Typical; confirm in your owner's manual.

MerCruiser annual/100-hour item. Cloudy or milky lube means water is getting in, so have the drive checked before it freezes. Volvo Penta drives follow a similar yearly schedule. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual.

Mercury's annual list includes greasing the engine coupler. Gimbal bearing greasing and engine alignment checks vary by drive model; some schedules put them at 300 hours/3 years and some Alpha couplers need grease every 50 hours with long idling. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual. A worn gimbal bearing (rumbling noise) is a dealer job.

A split driveshaft bellows can let water into the boat and sink it at the dock, so look for cracks every year. Store the drive in the down position so the bellows keep their shape (Mercury). Mercury schedules a more detailed U-joint/bellows inspection at around 300 hours or 3 years; many mechanics replace bellows every 3-5 years. Bellows replacement means pulling the drive, which is usually a dealer job.

Mercury says correct, on-time anode replacement is required for its corrosion warranty. If you have a MerCathode system, Mercury says a dealer should test it every year. Check more often in saltwater. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual.

On many sterndrive and inboard engines the belt also drives the seawater pump, so a broken belt can cause overheating. Check for cracks, glazing and tension. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual.

MerCruiser annual/100-hour item. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual.

MerCruiser annual/100-hour item. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual.

Mercury FAQ: every 300 hours or 3 years. On Alpha drives the pump is in the drive, which has to come off. On Bravo and Volvo it is usually engine-mounted. Many owners replace it sooner in sandy or salt water. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual.

Mercury FAQ: every 300 hours or 3 years. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual.

Five-minute look at every extinguisher: gauge in the operable (green) range, locking pin and seal in place, nozzle clear, no heavy corrosion or damage, and a disposable unit no more than 12 years past its manufacture date. The USCG sets no check frequency for recreational boats; monthly is the NFPA 10 interval that federal rules apply to boats carrying paying passengers (46 CFR 25.30), and a good habit for everyone. Rechargeable units also need annual service by a certified technician.

BoatUS (2024): wax keeps oxidation away only if you re-wax about every six to eight weeks; a ceramic coating lasts longer but still needs regular washing and, every few months depending on product and climate, a spray-on aftercare layer. Follow your product's instructions. Interval is typical; adjust for sun, salt and storage.

BoatUS: loose or corroded battery cables and terminals are the root of many DC problems; inspect all terminals and connectors regularly, clean corrosion with the power off, and protect posts with dielectric grease and insulating boots. Yamaha also lists cleaning battery terminals as routine care. BoatMend sets every 6 months (spring and layup); check more often in salt water. Hot, melted or charred cables: turn the battery switch off and call a marine electrician.

Samson: rope inspection is continuous, before, during and after each use; feel along every inch for broken fibers, abrasion, glazing and stiffness, and retire a rope before it breaks. BoatMend adds a closer look at splices, whippings and chafe guards every 3 months and before storms.

Mercury: get in the habit of inspecting the propeller regularly during the season. Key out and cut-off switch disconnected first, in neutral. Look for nicks, bent blades and burrs; vibration after a soft-bottom strike can mean a slightly bent blade. File only small burrs; bent or cracked blades go to a prop shop.

Discover Boating: boats count hours, not miles, and boats with consistent upkeep logs age better. Yamaha: total hours on its tachometers can't be reset, only trip and maintenance-interval counters. BoatMend suggests noting the hours monthly in season (or at each fuel-up) so hour-based services aren't missed.

BoatUS (2025): inspect and exercise (operate) seacocks monthly; a frozen or stiff seacock should be serviced right away or replaced. BoatUS (2017): exercise them regularly (every couple of months at least) and lubricate at least once a year. Outboard boats with livewell or washdown seacocks benefit too. Never force a stuck handle with the boat in the water.

BoatUS recommends testing every bilge pump and bilge alarm at least quarterly, and checking that water actually goes overboard instead of just listening for the motor to run. Lift each float switch (or add water) to check the automatic mode, try the manual switch, sound the high-water alarm and clear the strainer. This is in addition to the yearly spring check.

BoatUS (2025): during the annual haulout, shine a light into the thru-hull from outside while someone opens and closes it; look for leaks, cracks and broken bedding; a good general rule is to replace seacock hoses at 10 years regardless of condition. BoatUS (2017): lubricate seacocks at least once a year; cone and plug types must be disassembled. Replacement below the waterline is often a yard job.

Clean and tighten terminals, test state of charge, then fully charge and keep it on a maintainer (or disconnect it) for storage. A discharged battery can freeze. Mercury lists a battery check in its winterization checklist, and Yamaha's maintenance guide stresses battery care against corrosion. Re-test before launch in spring.

Look under every cleat, stanchion base, track, hatch and portlight for stains, drips, rust streaks or a soft deck around the fitting. Run a gentle hose stream over suspect spots with a helper below, the same hose test BoatUS suggests for cockpit drains. BoatUS warns that a leaking fitting can soak and rot a cored deck, so rebed early. Yearly is our suggestion; check again after heavy rain.

SUSPA's gas spring FAQ: service life is finite (rated in thousands of strokes) and real life depends on the installation and conditions. A strut that no longer holds a hatch is a falling-lid injury risk. Yearly check is our suggestion; replace with the same force rating and length (see your old strut's label).

BoatUS (2022): keep soft-wood plugs and wedges (pine or fir) that can be split and driven into a breach, along with other leak-stopping gear, where you can reach it fast. BoatMend suggests a yearly check that everything is there, in date (sealants and tapes) and stowed where the crew knows.

The Red Cross says to check a first-aid kit regularly and replace anything used or past its expiration date. Restock medicines (seasickness, pain relief, antihistamine), sunscreen and waterproof bandages, make sure the case is still dry, and tell your crew where it is. Restock after any trip where you used it. Yearly is our suggestion.

At commissioning (BoatMend's suggestion), make sure spares still match the engine, replace what you used last season, check flashlight and multimeter batteries and that sealants haven't cured in the tube. Discover Boating lists spare lines among the basics.

Keep the throwable (ring, horseshoe or cushion) within arm's reach, not in a locker, and never use a cushion as a seat: the BoatUS Foundation says that breaks down the foam. Make sure the boarding ladder can be lowered by someone in the water and is not cracked or corroded; in BoatUS Foundation tests a ladder that worked on one boat often failed on another, so try yours. Check throw-bag lines, MOB lights and any sling. Practice a crew-overboard pickup at the start of the season. Yearly is our suggestion.

Reinstall and charge the battery, check fuel lines and the fuel/water separator, check fluids, close drains and reinstall drain plugs, inspect hoses, clamps and belts, check the prop, then run the engine with cooling water and confirm the telltale or exhaust water flow before leaving the dock.

BoatUS suggests inspecting everything from each drain to the waterline at the beginning of every season, including livewells, bait wells and fish boxes, and running a hose into suspect areas to see where the water really goes. Claim files show missing clamps, broken drain fittings and loose or missing hoses; BoatUS also found many boats that sank in heavy rain because scuppers were overwhelmed and water got into the bilge through hatches.

Part of Mercury's outboard winterization checklist. Some fuel-injected and direct-injection engines have a specific storage or fogging procedure in the manual, so follow it rather than spraying into the intake.

33 CFR 83.33: boats under 12 meters don't need a specific whistle or bell but must have some other means of making an efficient sound signal; 83.35 sets the fog signals (for example, one prolonged blast at least every two minutes for a powerboat making way). Mercury's fog tips: running lights on and the proper sound signals in restricted visibility. BoatMend suggests checking at season start that the horn works (wiring or air-horn canister), the lights work and a card with the fog signals is at the helm.

Practical Sailor advises laying the whole rode out for inspection at least once a year. Look for a bent anchor, rust or worn galvanizing on the chain, chafed or stiff rope, and loose splices or thimbles. Shackle pins should be secured (moused) with stainless wire, not plastic ties. Turn chain end for end each year, and replace or regalvanize it once rust appears. Make sure the bitter end is tied to the boat.

Boating Magazine: inspect the backfire flame arrester for holes, tears or a poor fit and replace it if you find any; otherwise remove debris and clean it with a mild solvent or soap and water, following the maker's instructions. BoatMend suggests doing it every fall at winterizing (our timing). Never run a gasoline engine without its arrestor. Gas inboards have their own task (with belts).

Boating Magazine (hydrolock article): exhaust shutters and flaps are one-way valves that keep water from sloshing back toward the cylinders; inspect them annually and replace as needed, because broken pieces can block exhaust cooling water. Easy on newer engines, a chore on older ones; a good time is riser or manifold service. Not every engine has them. Typical; confirm in your manual.

BoatUS (2014): give hoses a firm pull at the clamps, ideally out of the water, and look at the underside of each clamp, where corrosion usually starts. BoatUS (2024) covers choosing all-stainless marine clamps. BoatMend suggests a check at the start of every season and at each haul-out (our timing), and doubling clamps on below-waterline hoses where the fitting allows.

BoatUS: low oil pressure comes from a low oil level, a clogged filter or, at worst, a failing oil pump; always believe the gauge and stop the engine. Knowing your own normal readings makes a drop easy to spot. BoatMend suggests writing them down early each season (our suggestion) and checking the dipstick before every outing. Confirm normal ranges in your owner's manual.

Boating Magazine: log everything, including small jobs; the longer you keep a log, the more wear patterns from your own use show up, so you can replace a battery or cable before it strands you; track fuel and engine hours too; buyers check the log. Yearly review before commissioning is our suggestion.

Flares: pyrotechnic signals expire 42 months after manufacture, and expired ones don't count toward the requirement. Fire extinguishers: per the USCG, a disposable extinguisher more than 12 years past its manufacture date is expired; boats of model year 2018 and newer need date-stamped 5-B or 20-B units. Also check the gauge, PFD sizes, condition and count, and the horn or whistle. Follow federal and your state's rules.

Lift the float switch (or add water) to confirm the automatic mode works, check the manual switch, clear debris from the strainer, and check wiring and fuse. Should also be done regularly during the season, not just in March.

Turn on each light, replace bulbs, and clean corroded contacts. Carry spare bulbs and fuses. PWCs are not included because they generally may not be operated at night.

Mercury: complete the annual/100-hour service, stabilize fuel, then drain the seawater side (or fill it with antifreeze) and fog the engine following your manual. Keep sterndrives in the down position. Gas inboards follow the same idea; also drain or protect the transmission cooler and heater hoses.

Habit reminder after any big storm. NWS: stay away from downed wires and flooded areas until authorities say it's safe. BoatUS: document the damage with photos before moving anything and call your insurer early. Never board a boat with shore power that may be in contact with water; shut it off at the pedestal first or call a pro.

BoatUS: a gentle but thorough washdown at the end of every trip, even when the seats look clean, keeps sweat, dust and sunscreen from feeding mold. Use a soft mitt or sponge and mild boat soap, never a power washer, and keep bleach and high-alcohol cleaners away from the vinyl and the stitching; use a dedicated vinyl cleaner and protectant for tougher spots.

BoatUS Foundation: take a few minutes before departing to brief guests, so that if an emergency arises you have a team aboard; it offers a customizable predeparture checklist. Use the printable checklist in our guide; a short refresher is enough for regular crew.

Federal rule 33 CFR 183.610 requires boats with a gasoline engine in a closed compartment to carry a label by the ignition: gasoline vapors can explode; before starting, operate the blower for 4 minutes and check the engine compartment bilge for gasoline vapors. If you smell fuel, don't start; find the leak or call a pro. Also listen for the blower running and feel for airflow at the exhaust vent now and then (see the bilge blower guide).

A quick look through the clear bowl before each start shows weeds, shells or plastic before they starve the pump. BoatUS: if the strainer is below the waterline, close the seacock before opening it, empty and rinse the basket, make sure every gasket seats, reopen the seacock and run the pump to check that the bowl refills with no leaks. Raritan's clear-bowl design is meant for exactly this kind of at-a-glance check. Clean it more often in grassy or debris-filled water. This is a habit reminder, not a dated task.

With the engine idling in neutral and cooling water supplied, pull the lanyard clip (or trigger the wireless fob): the engine must stop. Many engine makers call for this before each use; BoatUS says to confirm each spring that the switch works and the lanyard is in good shape, and to refresh wireless fob batteries. Federal law requires using it on most boats under 26 feet when on plane. This is a habit reminder, not a dated task.

Only for engines with a freshwater (closed) cooling system. Mercury includes this in the annual/100-hour service. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual. BoatUS: the only way to verify the antifreeze-to-water ratio is to measure it with a ball gauge, hydrometer, test strip or refractometer; don't just pour in extra antifreeze.

Seakeeper's maintenance schedule: replace the zinc anode every 200 running hours or 3 months, whichever comes first, on the Seakeeper 5, 6, 9, 16, 18, 26, 35 and 40. Other models and brands differ; follow your unit's manual.

Mercury FAQ: change the coolant every 5 years (extended-life coolant). Mercury also lists extra items at 5 years/500 hours. Only for closed-cooled engines. Typical; confirm in your owner's manual.

Seakeeper's schedule, every 1,000 hours or annually: inspect hydraulic parts and hoses, brake bushings, heat exchanger, cooling hoses and glycol level, electrical connections and mounting hardware; clean and descale the heat exchanger and confirm seawater flow. It also lists flushing the glycol circuit every 2,000 hours or 5 years. Seakeeper points owners to its annual inspection bulletin; most owners have a certified dealer do it.

Sportsman Boats: scales and fish waste build up in the box and attract odors and pests; regular maintenance of the macerator pump and hose prevents it. Switch the pump's breaker off before reaching into the box. Make sure the outlet goes overboard, not into the bilge.

BoatUS (bottom paint): boats that stay in the water most of the season need bottom paint; hard paints build up over the years until they crack and peel and the hull must be stripped (see our bottom-paint-stripping guide). Interlux: check that a new paint is compatible with the old one before you recoat. Never use copper paint on aluminum hulls or drives. Yearly look at haul-out is our timing.

Victron (SmartShunt manual): the state of charge must resynchronize regularly with the battery's true state to stop it drifting; this happens automatically when the battery reaches full charge as defined by the charged-voltage, tail-current and detection-time settings. If the monitor hasn't seen a full charge in a while, give the bank a full charge. Practical Sailor's test found monitors need setup adjustments to read accurately. Monthly check is our suggestion; settings come from your monitor's and battery's manuals.

BoatUS (2016): regular pump-outs keep room in the tank; in No Discharge Zones the macerator's overboard thru-hull should be locked shut unless the Y-valve is locked. An open thru-hull can also let water flow back into a below-waterline tank. EPA lists No Discharge Zones by state.

Mercury's pre-tow checklist: make sure the drain plug is in the tow vehicle along with the keys before you leave home. Boating Magazine suggests carrying a spare garboard plug or two because they are easy to lose. Check that the plug is in and tight before the boat goes in the water, and pull it again for trailering and storage (see Clean, Drain, Dry).

OceanLED recommends cleaning the lens at least once a month with a soft boat brush: growth dims a light in weeks. Never scrape a dry lens, use a metal scraper, solvents or a pressure washer. While you're at it, look inside the boat around each through-hull light housing and cable for water.

BoatUS (2025): most water gets into fuel through a few points that need periodic inspection, such as the fill cap O-ring, which dries and cracks, and the sending unit gasket and screws. BoatMend suggests a yearly look, with a fuel sample. Fuel smell or wet tank: stop and call a pro.

Before the heating season: test every CO alarm, check the heater exhaust or flue joints, through-hull or deck fitting, air intake and fuel line, and have fuel-burning heaters serviced on the maker's schedule. The UK MAIB found that a fatal CO case came from an owner-fitted diesel heater whose silencer was not marine-rated or gas-tight, had never been checked by a professional or serviced, in a boat with no CO alarm. BoatUS notes natural-draft heaters need a permanently open fresh-air supply and CO and smoke alarms in the main cabin and every sleeping area.

Pyrotechnic signals expire 42 months after manufacture (about every three seasons), and an expired signal does not count toward the federal requirement on coastal waters and the Great Lakes. Orion says to replace any that will expire during the coming season and to inspect all signals and launchers for moisture damage at least once a year. Dispose of old flares through your fire department or a collection event, never overboard or in the trash.

46 CFR 67.163: a recreational endorsement lasts 1 to 5 years, as chosen at issue or renewal. The NVDC home page (October 2026) says all documentation and payments go through its online eStorefront and that third-party renewal companies don't act for the Coast Guard. BoatMend reminds you yearly to check the expiration date and the managing owner's address on file (changes must be reported within 30 days under 46 CFR 67.113 and 67.319). A state registration and decal may still be due separately (see registration-renewal).

BoatUS: turn off the boat's main AC breaker and the pedestal breaker, unplug both ends, and check the cord for chafe, cracks and repairs, and the plugs and inlet for discoloration or corroded pins, each time you disconnect or monthly at a minimum. Any burned or melted plug: don't reconnect; call a marine electrician.

Rinse clear panels with fresh water after every outing and never wipe off dry salt or dirt. Strataglass recommends its cleaner every 1-2 weeks and its polish every 1-2 months (more often when the panels are new), and says unapproved products can damage the panels and void the warranty. Use only what your vinyl maker approves.

Practical Sailor recommends cleaning the freshwater tank once a year, or twice a year in hot climates. Pull carbon filters first, dose plain unscented bleach by tank size, push it through every faucet (hot and cold), leave it for the contact time, then flush until the taste is gone and fit new filter cartridges. Also do it after buying a used boat, after a long layup and whenever the water smells or tastes off.

Practical Sailor: a regular freshwater rinse is usually all stainless needs, with passivating after damage. BoatMend suggests a deeper clean and inspection every few months in salt water. Rust weeping from a fitting or a crack in rigging or rail bases: have it checked.

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers: in every waterbody, every time, clean plants, animals and mud off the boat, trailer and gear, drain the motor, bilge, livewell and other water-holding spaces before leaving the access, and let everything dry before the next launch. Many states require drain plugs out on the road and run inspection stations; follow your state's rules. Wake boats must drain their ballast tanks too.

BoatUS says compression tests are particularly useful on older engines. On an engine more than about 10 years old, a test every couple of seasons builds a record that shows wear before it leaves you stranded; also test before you buy or sell. Write down the date, hours and every cylinder's reading, and compare cylinders with each other. Diesel compression tests need special gauges and are a mechanic's job. The interval is our suggestion.

BoatUS: installed engine compartment systems must stay accessible for removal, weighing and inspection, and an older halon system can stay in service only as long as it passes its annual inspection. Check the gauge or weight per the maker, the manual pull, the engine shutdown and the helm indicator, and have a qualified service company inspect and recharge it as the maker requires.

Run the self-test exactly as the beacon maker describes (NOAA allows self-tests without approval; never press ON to test). Check the battery expiry label and, on float-free EPIRBs, the hydrostatic release unit date; AMSA notes most disposable HRUs are marked for replacement 2 years after installation. Inspect the case, antenna and bracket. Some makers suggest a more frequent self-test; follow your manual and its limit on the number of tests.

Flush after use in salt, brackish or muddy water, following your manual's procedure (flush muffs or flush port). This is a habit reminder, not a dated task.

BoatUS (propane, 2018): propane is heavier than air and collects in the bilge; cylinders belong in a sealed locker above the waterline with a drain overboard at its lowest point; hoses must be an approved type, regularly inspected for chafe and splits, with permanent fittings (never hose clamps); a pressure gauge helps leak checks. Yearly check is our suggestion; smell for gas before every use. If you smell propane, shut it off, no switches, ventilate and get off the boat.

BoatUS (2024): the best practice is to treat and clean the tank regularly so scale doesn't build up, and to tell apart a one-time 'shock' treatment from routine small doses for odor. BoatMend suggests a full pump-out, rinse and treatment once a year at layup, plus regular pump-outs. Use only products your toilet and tank makers approve; never discharge in a No Discharge Zone.

U-Line: ice machines need regular cleaning so scale and buildup don't wear the evaporator and condenser; follow the cleaning notification and the steps in your model's guide, using approved cleaners. BoatUS notes boat water systems need periodic treatment and flushing. BoatMend suggests every 6 months and before the first use after storage.

USCG: maintain inflatables per the maker's instructions. Mustang: visual check before every use (service indicator green, cylinder tight), and every 6 months an overnight oral-inflation leak test plus a check of the cylinder and the date on the auto-inflator's bobbin or cartridge. Do at least a full inspection each spring; many makers want the leak test more often. Typical; confirm in your life jacket's manual.

Most important on raw-water-cooled engines, especially in saltwater. Corroded risers can let water into the cylinders and wreck the engine. Look for rust streaks, weeping gaskets and restricted flow. Replacement timing depends on use and water type (often 5-7 years in saltwater), and the inspection is usually done by a pro. Not an official interval.

BoatUS points out that even with a freshwater (closed) cooling system, exhaust risers are still cooled by raw water and need regular inspection. Its rough guide is to remove and inspect risers yearly once they are three to five years old in salt water, and less often in fresh water; outside rust or weeping means it is past time. Usually a job for a pro.

Once a year at spring commissioning (BoatMend's suggestion), open the access panels and check the fill and vent hoses for cracks, softness, fuel smell and rusty clamps. A BoatUS surveyor notes the generally accepted norm is to replace rubber fuel hoses over about 10 years old regardless of appearance. Fuel smell or wet hose: stop and call a pro.

BoatUS (winch strap article): replace a strap with frayed stitching, cuts, tears, twists or heavy fading before it fails at the ramp. BoatUS (backing plates, 2020): hardware without a backing plate concentrates the load and can pull through. BoatMend suggests a yearly look at the bow eye's inside nuts and backing plate (photo them to compare) plus a glance at the eye and strap every time you hitch up (our timing).

For trailered boats. Look for broken or rust-thinned leaves, cracked hanger welds, worn shackles and bushings, loose or rusted U-bolts and rust-through on the axle tube. Dexter says bent hangers, springs or axle tubes cause bad alignment and tire wear, and warns not to jack on suspension parts. Discover Boating notes that uneven tire wear can mean a bent axle. On torsion axles, check the frame mounting bolts. Easy to do at the yearly hub service.

Each season: keep the brakes clean (rinse with fresh water after salt launches), check the brake fluid in the actuator's master cylinder and test the brakes before a long trip. Discover Boating says to have the pads or shoes inspected every few seasons; if you launch in salt water, yearly is a good idea. Drum and caliper work is usually a trailer shop job.

BoatUS: follow the maker's maintenance; in most cases check the unit and its connections for corrosion or physical damage at least once a year. Anodes wasting away suddenly can point to a failed isolator. Testing and any work on the AC green ground is a job for an ABYC-certified marine electrician.

Victron Smart BatteryProtect: the operating mode (buzzer/LED, relay, or Li-ion with an external BMS) sets how it alarms and disconnects; pick Li-ion mode only if your BMS has a load or charge disconnect output. Blue Sea: 24-hour circuits such as bilge pumps and alarms should be wired so they can't be switched off by accident, so they must never sit behind a load disconnect. Yearly check is our suggestion; voltages and modes come from your device's manual.

BoatUS suggests shock-treating the holding tank at least once a year (spring or fall) and doing the rag test on sanitation hoses: wipe a low section with a warm, damp cloth, seal it in a plastic bag, take it into fresh air and sniff. A smelly rag means the hose is permeated and should be replaced. Check every clamp and joint for stains or drips. Raritan suggests its hose descaler every few months, more often with seawater flushing or slow drainage.

BoatUS suggests running a pint of white vinegar slowly through the head once a month to dissolve fresh scale, flushing with fresh water, then adding a marine toilet lubricant (or mineral oil) to keep the pump's rubber parts supple. When a manual head gets hard to pump, lets water back into the bowl or leaks at the shaft, rebuild it with the maker's service kit. Use only cleaners your toilet maker allows.

USCG carbon monoxide checklist: once a month, make sure exhaust clamps are tight and look for rust or black streaks, water leaks, and cracked or corroded fittings; check rubber exhaust hoses for burned, cracked or stiff spots. Have a technician inspect the exhaust system and water pump impellers once a year.

Rupp: rinse outriggers with fresh water after every trip, replace missing bushings, tighten loose bolts, lubricate moving parts with approved products and check rigging and hydraulic fittings. Discover Boating: rigging lines degrade from sun and salt and should be replaced every couple of seasons. Marlin: a pro can remove and inspect them during the annual yard visit. Stay clear of overhead power lines with outriggers up.

Mercury's pre-tow checklist: coupler fully on the ball, latched and pinned; safety chains crossed under the tongue; every trailer light working; transom tie-downs and winch strap tight with the winch safety chain hooked; trailer tire pressure checked, because trailers sit between trips and lose air. Also support or tilt the engine the way your manual says. This is a habit reminder, not a dated task.

ELCI breakers have a built-in test feature like household GFCIs (Cruising World). BoatMend follows the monthly test most makers print on ELCI and GFCI devices: with shore power on, press TEST; it must trip and cut AC power, then reset it. If it doesn't trip, stop using shore power and have it replaced. If it trips by itself, don't keep resetting it: find the fault (see the ELCI guide). BoatUS also advises having the boat's AC system inspected and tested yearly. Never swim near a boat or dock with shore power connected.

USCG carbon monoxide checklist: test each CO alarm by pressing its test button every time you go on a boat trip. Never ignore an alarm. This is a habit reminder, not a dated task.

CPSC: test GFCIs monthly to make sure they work. Press TEST (power should cut off), then RESET. A GFCI that won't trip, or trips by itself, means stop using that circuit and call a licensed electrician. Never swim near a dock with power on.

BoatUS: have a qualified marine electrician inspect your private dock annually. Safe Electricity: dock electrical work should be done by a professional familiar with marine codes and inspected at least once a year. Log the date and any faults fixed.

Dexter (a major axle maker): remove the hubs every 12 months or 12,000 miles to inspect the bearings, and always fit new grease seals so grease can't leak onto the brakes. E-Z Lube style spindles let you purge water between services, but they don't replace the yearly inspection. Sealed cartridge bearings (such as Nev-R-Lube) follow their own schedule. Typical; confirm with your axle maker.

A yearly look at spring commissioning (BoatMend's suggestion; makers don't set an interval). Breaker off and tagged before going near the antenna. Wash the radome or array gently, check the mount bolts, follow the cable for chafe and open reachable connectors for corrosion. BoatUS warns never to cut the plug off a radar cable, since damaged shielding hurts performance. Raymarine's bearing-alignment check: point the bow at a fixed object and see that it sits under the heading line.

BoatUS Foundation: every person aboard needs a Coast Guard-approved life jacket in serviceable condition and of the appropriate size. Coast Guard: adult life jackets may not work for children; child sizes exist, and state wear rules for kids vary. Kids grow, so BoatMend suggests a fit check every season and whenever a child has a growth spurt (our timing).

NOAA says a 406 MHz beacon registration is valid for only two years and must be renewed; update it sooner whenever your phone, address, emergency contacts or boat change. Registration is free (never pay anyone to register). The online database has planned maintenance outages now and then (one was announced for October 27, 2026, up to 48 hours), so do not leave it to the day before a trip; NOAA also accepts its forms by email, fax or mail.

BoatUS: registration is usually renewed every year or two, depending on the state; check the expiration on your certificate and adjust this interval. Allow time for decals by mail before the first trip. Documented boats renew with the Coast Guard NVDC instead.

USCG: replace alarms as the alarm maker recommends. Fireboy-Xintex marine CO detectors, for example, start an end-of-life warning just before 5 years from activation and must then be replaced. Other brands differ, so set this to the date printed on your alarm.

NAVCEN: MMSI registration data goes to the Coast Guard so rescuers can identify and locate you, so update it whenever contact or vessel information changes; registrars email reminders to update and confirm it every two years. Sea Tow accounts were moved to the U.S. Power Squadrons. Also update it right away after a sale, rename or new phone number.

Sailrite: rinse outdoor Sunbrella items every month; a thorough cleaning is usually needed only every two to three years. Garden hose only, no pressure washer, and let it dry before stowing. Loose frame fittings or torn straps: fix before running with the top up.

Garmin: SOS and Garmin Response come only with an active inReach subscription. Before the season, confirm the plan, update contacts and firmware, charge fully and send a non-SOS test message. Never press SOS to test. A messenger doesn't replace a registered 406 MHz PLB or EPIRB (see the EPIRB/PLB tasks).

BoatUS: 55 percent of boat fires start in the electrical system and the shore power inlet is a major source, because corroded or arc-damaged blades heat up; it recommends keeping connectors clean and not connecting or disconnecting with power on. BoatMend suggests a start-of-season check: with power off, look for discoloration or melting at the inlet and plug, then after an hour under normal load feel the cord end and inlet for warmth. Any heat, browning or a loose fit: stop using it and have a marine electrician replace the inlet and plug. The monthly cord check (shore-power-cord-check) still applies.

Rinse salt off the panels, inspect for cracks, delamination and hot spots, check MC4 connectors and the deck fitting, confirm the fuse near the battery, and make sure the charge controller's battery profile matches your batteries. Note midday output and compare with last year. Victron's manual lists the normal reasons for low output (battery already full, cold lithium battery, voltage drop in the wiring, hot controller) before blaming a panel. Rinse more often on a saltwater boat.

Flexiteek: its anti-fungal additives work best when dirt, sunscreen, food and standing water are rinsed away routinely. PlasDECK's cleaning guide covers a deeper clean with a degreaser left 5 to 10 minutes and a brush along the grain. Rinse after every trip; BoatMend suggests a monthly wash and a look at edges, seams and fittings for lifting. Lifting or bubbling under warranty: call the installer.

Teak Decking Systems: a teak deck lasts with gentle regular cleaning, periodic sealing and prompt re-caulking when seam deterioration appears; avoid acid cleaners, pressure washing and abrasive tools. BoatMend suggests a seam check each spring; failed seams let water reach the core and fastenings.

BoatUS and the U.S. Fire Administration both say to test smoke alarms monthly with the test button. USFA: replace the whole alarm every 10 years (sooner aboard if damp or vibration affect it, and follow the maker). Change replaceable batteries at least yearly.

BoatUS: vapor alarms should be tested monthly using the manufacturer's procedure. Press the helm test button (lights and horn), then test the sensor only the way the maker allows. A detector is not a substitute for running the blower and sniffing the engine space before every start. Any fuel smell: don't start anything, get everyone off and call a pro.

BoatUS (Tow Package Or Not): factory tow packages add transmission and engine cooling, wiring and hitch hardware because towing stresses the engine, transmission and brakes; use Tow/Haul mode. BoatUS (Preparing to Tow, 2015): good tread, no weather cracks and correct tire pressure are vital. Follow your vehicle manual's towing or severe-service schedule; rinse salt off the underside after saltwater launches.

BoatUS (2013): water can get into a differential through the vent tube or condensation, and submerging the rear axle at the ramp doesn't help; owners who back their rear tires into the water should drain the rear differential fluid at least at the end of every boating season and look for milky or yellow-brown oil. Refill with the lube in the vehicle's owner's manual (limited-slip units may need an additive).

BoatUS: EOH systems include a battery box with a 12-volt battery for the breakaway system. Check the charge at the start of each season and before long trips, then pull the pin briefly (trailer hitched and chocked) and put it right back. For commercial trailers the FMCSA rule (49 CFR 393.43) requires breakaway brakes to stay applied at least 15 minutes, a useful yardstick.

For trailered boats only. Yamaha's checklist: grease the bearings, make sure lug nuts are tight and not rusting, check tire tread and pressure, and inspect the winch. Also test the lights and brakes, and check the safety chains, coupler and tie-downs.

BoatUS (guide-on install, 2020): sturdy guide-ons bolt to the trailer frame with U-bolts and help center the boat in wind and current; flimsy bolt-on guides can't take a bow bouncing off them. BoatMend suggests a yearly check of the mounting hardware and lights at season start (our timing). Never reach in to push a moving hull off a post.

Raritan: clean hoses every few months, more often with salt-water flushing or slow drainage (BoatMend sets 3 months). Use only a descaler approved for your toilet and hoses, follow the label, and keep up the monthly vinegar routine in between.

BoatUS's author inspects the water heater anode each winter at layup and replaces it when more than half gone; glass-lined tanks depend on it, while some stainless tanks have no anode. Relieve pressure and switch the breaker off first, never power the element until the tank is full again, and check that the relief valve is not dribbling afterward. Confirm with your heater's manual.

Spectra: flush the system with fresh water after every use and change prefilters regularly. Practical Sailor: a watermaker that isn't used regularly must be flushed with fresh water about every five days or pickled, and pickling must be repeated about every six months if it stays unused. Follow your maker's procedure and chemicals.

For boats left in the water over winter. On each visit check the waterline and bilge, the bilge pump and battery charge, dock lines and chafe gear, snow on the cover, and that the de-icer runs with open water around the hull. Press the GFCI test button: Kasco recommends GFCI protection and says no one should ever enter the water while a de-icer is running. BoatUS claim files show boats sink at the dock more than twice as often as underway. Monthly is our suggestion; visit after every storm or cold snap too.