In a recent post, we discussed the benefits of buying OEM parts when performing maintenance and repairs on your boat. Of course, this may have left you wondering how you will know when your boat’s parts need to be replaced. You should perform preventative maintenance and swap out aging parts before they fail. This leaves you stranded on the water and puts your family in danger. Your boat’s efficiency, reliability, and longevity hinge on the timely replacement of parts to prevent damage to your engine.
Yet, how will you know when it’s time to swap out aging parts? Your boat will give off warning signs indicating when service is necessary. This lets you repair faulty parts and components before your watercraft breaks down. Keep reading as we look at a few of the most common signs you can look out for that your boat needs repairs.
Unusual Sounds and Feelings
Over time, you’ve likely grown accustomed to how your boat sounds and feels when operating normally. It is a good thing; it can help you quickly spot something wrong with your boat. If you hear unusual sounds or feel strange vibrations coming from your boat, this is a clear sign of a problem. You must consider how your boat sounds and feels on the water. Trust your instincts if something doesn’t seem right. If your boat sounds off or drives weirdly, you should have it serviced immediately. These kinds of problems tend to get worse over time. A loose belt or corroded part in the engine could be the source of the problem. This could cause engine damage if not addressed. So, you must look for OEM parts for your boat.
OEM Parts for Your Boat if It’s Overheating
You’ve likely pushed your boat’s engine a little too hard, and it has started to overheat slightly. However, while this isn’t uncommon, it doesn’t mean that you should ignore it when your boat’s engine overheats. You must pay attention to your boat’s temperature gauge. If it overheats frequently and/or excessively, you must schedule to have your boat serviced. One of your boat’s parts has likely failed, causing your engine to overheat. If you ignore this problem, it could cause costly damage to your boat.
Your Check Engine Light Is On
One of the most obvious signs that your boat needs repairs is when the check engine light comes on. If your boat is on the newer side, the engine’s computer will throw a code if it detects a problem with one of its parts or sensors. This causes the check engine light to come on. With the right scanning tool, you can quickly diagnose what caused the problem. If lucky, a quick part replacement can get you back out on the water. However, if you don’t have a marine code reader or are unsure what triggered the code you found, you may have to take your boat in to be serviced. Whatever you do, don’t ignore your check engine light, as this could lead to further engine damage. If this happens, you must check OEM parts for your boat.
Poor Performance
You must pay attention to its performance whenever you take your boat out on the water. If your ship seems sluggish or doesn’t feel like it’s performing as well as it used to, trust your gut. Some parts have failed (or are wearing out), resulting in you not getting enough power. If your boat doesn’t have enough power or isn’t accelerating correctly, you might have a bad fuel pump. You should schedule a time to have your boat serviced. So that your watercraft doesn’t die on you the next time you’re out on the water.
OEM Parts for Steering Problems
Another clear sign that your boat needs repairs is if you start noticing any steering problems. Suppose you encounter problems steering your boat, such as difficulty turning the wheel or discovering that the alignment is off-center. In that case, this can make driving your boat very difficult, and you must inspect it immediately for faulty parts. Common problems that can lead to steering problems with your boat include a damaged rudder, steering cable, or insufficient hydraulic steering fluid. If you notice steering problems, you must inspect your boat as soon as possible. Driving a watercraft with faulty steering can be extremely dangerous.
Unusually High Fuel Consumption
High fuel prices concern many boaters, and it can be frustrating if you notice increased fuel consumption. This can make a day out on the water costly. However, increased fuel consumption is expensive and may indicate that your boat needs maintenance/repairs. While your boat may become less efficient over time, the fact is that if you notice a sudden spike in your fuel usage without any change in your boating habits, your boat may be trying to tell you something.
For instance, higher-than-normal fuel consumption could indicate a problem with your propeller, spark plugs, or fuel injectors, making it essential to inspect and potentially replace these parts. A clogged fuel filter could also cause this problem, as this can restrict fuel flow and impact engine performance. Replacing your fuel filter may be a good place to start if your boat uses more fuel than usual.
Ensure Your Boat’s Performance With Trident Marine Group’s Concierge Services
We hope you learned a lot regarding OEM parts for your boat. Regular boat maintenance is essential to keep your boat performing optimally. This includes replacing parts as they wear out to prevent engine damage. Yet, maintaining your boat can feel like an overwhelming prospect. If you don’t have much free time, it can take away precious time on the water. The good news is that there is a simple solution to this problem.
By storing your boat at one of the marinas by Trident Marine Group, you can take advantage of our top-notch concierge services, which include on-site repairs and maintenance. Our skilled staff can service your boat. We will ensure it is ready when summer arrives so you can enjoy as much time out on the water as possible.
Feel free to contact us to learn more about our stunning marinas and how our concierge services can relieve boat ownership’s stress.