Most boat owners will agree on one thing: owning a boat takes a lot of hard work. There are countless things that can go wrong at any time, and it can be especially problematic when the sailor is out in the middle of the ocean.
Boats can be both robust and reliable, but not everything can work all of the time, and it isn’t uncommon for the vessel to stop suddenly when it was seemingly working just a few minutes beforehand.
Fortunately, most boat engine problems are fairly common, and a new owner will want to try and keep a look out for the following when making a purchase and putting the funds and time aside to ensure that their new boat is kept as well-maintained as possible.
Dead Batteries
Just like a car, a boat’s motor is only able to start if there is enough electricity being supplied by the batteries to ignite the spark plugs. But unlike a car, a boat usually has plenty of devices that are connected to the batteries, such as lights, communication, and more.
This means that it’s very easy to accidentally leave an exterior light on all night, only to find that the batteries are dead the next morning. The simplest way to fix this problem is by having an extra set of batteries that can be replaced easily when the original set has gone dead.
Engine Overheating
One of the most common problems among seafaring vessels, overheating can quickly lead to permanent damage if it’s not properly addressed to in a timely manner. In most vessels, the engine will be kept cool by water being driven through the cooling pipes by a sea water pump. It’s common to have the impeller of the pump fail, leaving it without the ability to keep the engine from overheating.
A new owner should make it common practice to check the sea water pump as often as they can, when they’re not enjoying greyhound bets, to ensure that the impeller is working well and that the engine is receiving adequate cooling, otherwise it can lead to disastrous results.
Water In The Fuel
The engine cranks but simply won’t start, no matter how many times the sailor tries to get it going. This is usually indicative of having water in the fuel system, which means that it’s not possible for the fuel to be ignited properly in the right chambers.
There are plenty of reasons why this can happen, such as water getting into fuel tanks that are not stored properly, but loose fittings and cracked pipes can also be the culprit. Most boat engines will have a water separator installed, which is designed to filter out any water from the pipes so that it doesn’t make its way into the engine. If it is, it’s a sign that the water separator is no longer working as it’s meant to and should be replaced.
