Signs You Need to Service Your Boat

Regular servicing is important for several reasons. It helps ensure top performance, lengthens the lifespan of your craft, and helps with safety issues due to mechanical failures. However, sometimes even regular maintenance is not enough. Sometimes your vessel needs immediate servicing. The difficulty comes from recognizing the difference between a regular occurrence and a signal that something is wrong. That is why Team Winnebagoland Marine Center has created this guide to recognizing the signs that your boat needs service.

Unusual Sounds and Feelings

Over time, you have probably become well acquainted with how your boat’s engine sounds when functioning normally. If you start to hear unusual sounds or experience strange vibrations in your vessel, you should investigate immediately. Whether it is a grinding noise, a vibration that you feel when steering, or a strange whirring coming from the engine, it usually means that there is a problem. Since these kinds of problems tend to get worse over time, you need to schedule a service appointment ASAP. 

Overheating

While it’s perfectly normal for an engine to overheat if you push it too far, that doesn’t mean you should just ignore it when it happens. Overheating can seriously damage your engines, and the harm only compounds with repeated bouts of it. If you notice it happening frequently, you need to schedule a service appointment. 

Leaks

If you notice more water on the floor of your boat than there should be, it is fairly obvious that you have a leak. While a minor leak may not seem like a major concern right now, over time these small leaks can grow in size. Soon, you may be dealing with a serious safety hazard due to the damage to your craft’s structure. While some leaks are small enough to be patched at home, it is important that you take quick action and schedule a service appointment if things look serious. 

To schedule a service appointment or to view our selection of new and pre-owned boats, visit Team Winnebagoland Marine Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. We also offer parts and financing, so visit us for all your watercraft needs. We are proud to serve communities like Appleton, Wisconsin, and we hope to see you soon!