Underestimated aspects to avoid boat damages

Buying a new boat is an exhilarating process, often tiring and overwhelming but worth all the fuss at the end of it.

The big question every new boater has is how to differentiate the good from the bad. It is easy to get fooled by the shiny exterior, but what matters is the strength of your boat Hardware.

You can find experienced boaters knocking and thudding the surface and flooring while checking for a new model. This practice is the most basic and initial check to confirm whether or not your vessel is worth the wait.

1. Know Your Model

Doing thorough research before heading out to purchase a new boat is always appreciated. Knowing what works in your surroundings is the first step to guarantee a long-term relationship with your favourite vessel.

If you plan to fish in saltwater, Thunder Jets can be a good option. The aluminum hull of such boats delivers the best possible performance with quality & precision. Any lower, and your boat might not be able to withstand the harsh conditions, resulting in a damaged ship.

You can connect with experienced professional boat dealers in Vancouver Island, Canada, to better understand various models and their recommended hardware.

2. Through Hulls and Seacocks

Traditionally they were built as a single piece as opposed to today. These are a very vital part of the boat’s fittings as any damage could result in disaster.
They usually come in three types Marelon, brass and Bronze. Depending on the area you fish in, you can choose which works the best for you.
Brass and Bronze were widely in use until their polymer counterpart Marelon was introduced in the market. Marelon negates the losses due to chemical reactions like electrolysis and dezincification.
However, Marelon could lead to potential leaks in the event of severe impact fractures to the plastic.

3. Placement of Fuel Tank Vents

The majority of the boat builders place the fuel tanks to the side, which works well with the current models, but keep in mind protruding steel vents could be hazardous in older versions.

4. Dec Coring

Most of the manufacturers make cored decks in Fiberglass boats. They use epoxy to fix this core material between the two layers of fiberglass. It makes the vessel lighter and more robust than a pure fiberglass construction of similar thickness. However, you have to prevent moisture from entering this core deck to keep its strength & integrity intact. You can follow recommended methods for boat maintenance to do it.

5. Welds and Cracks

If you are searching to buy an Aluminum fishing boat in British Columbia, inspect the weld jobs and joints on the T tops and other parts of the vessel. Lousy and bubbly texture reveals the poor quality of the welding. Do note that deep water fishing demands proper welding and secure joints.

6. Electric Bilge Pump

Generally, you can find bilge pumps at the lowest bilge section. As you might know, this pump removes the incidental water from the bilges like rainwater, packing gland drips, and more. Many people believe that a high-quality bilge pump can remove 500 gallons of water per hour. While the testers did that in the lab in perfect conditions, the real-world scenario can be well different. That’s why we advise you to check and verify its operation periodically. The best way to keep the pump in good condition is to conduct regular maintenance services without waiting for an issue to occur. Also, if you are assembling the pump all by yourself without any professional help, you should read the instruction first.

7. Outdrive Bellows

Outdrives look similar to accordions. Their primary job is to seal the water around the shift cable, universal joint, and exhaust. They allow the drive to pivot and tilt while you are on the waters. However, the outdrives have flexible gaskets, also known as bellows, which can fail or dry out due to extreme weather conditions, heat, and even time. Such damage can even damage the gimble bearings and output shafts, leading to severe issues. Therefore, you should inspect all the waterproof grommets and bellows at regular intervals and as the manufacturer suggests. You can put that in your checklist of the routine service schedule.

Conclusion

Before going on a boat tour, be sure to visit a boat repair shop near your locality to know more about the hardware you will be dealing with.
Exposed screws and lousy weld jobs are examples of poor craftsmanship and can be hazardous if left unchecked.
For more information, contact us at Alberni Power and Marine.