Nov 175 min read

Our top tips for: Keeping a boat that lives in the water in Good Condition

Keeping a boat in good condition when it lives in the water requires regular care and attention. Here are some of our top tips from the highly experienced team at Empire Marina Bobbin Head to help you understand what is involved when berthing and maintaining a boat on the water.

Marina in Sydney — Empire Marina Bobbin Head is the most awarded marina in in Sydney

🛥️ Inspect and Clean the Hull Regularly

Marine growth, like algae and barnacles, can quickly build up on the hull and the rate at which it does, will vary according to where you keep your boat and even the temperature of the water. Warmer water this year in berths in Sydney has meant a faster growth than usual. Empire Marina Bobbin Head for example usually has a slower growth than some Sydney Harbour marinas - even these vary in themselves so it’s worth doing some research on this before you select the marina in which to berth your boat. You should have an antifoul done once a year at a minimum and when a boat is lifted to do this the experts on site can check for any issues in skin fittings and hull issues that need to be fixed. “Saving money” by extending the time between antifouls and having someone simply dive to clean the hull can be a costly mistake. Keeping the hull clean will reduce drag and help maintain fuel efficiency and avoid damage to propellers from shell growth so again not having it done can be a costly mistake.

🛥️ Check for Corrosion

Boats in saltwater are especially prone to corrosion. Inspect metal parts, like fittings, propellers, and the engine, regularly. Use anti-corrosion sprays and installing sacrificial anodes to protect your boat’s metals is essential. These usually deplete substantially in a year which is again another reason for doing a regular antifoul. Having your boat at a marina like THIS ONE which has full hardstand facilities on site saves you time and money on getting this done.

Where is your boat kept? Does your marina have a full service hardstand on site?

🛥️ Maintain the Bilge

The bilge can accumulate water and debris, leading to bad odours or potential mechanical issues. Keep it clean and dry, and ensure the bilge pump is functioning properly to handle any water buildup. Marinas that have Dockmasters on site like this one regularly do a walk past of boats and will notice boats taking on water and hear bilge alarms - having your boat on a mooring instead of berthed at a marina thus increases the risk of taking on water and possible loss.

🛥️ Flush/Maintain the Engine

If you have an outboard flush it regularly to prevent salt or mineral buildup, which can damage the cooling system, this is more necessary on older engines than new ones because of the new design features. It is especially important if you’re in saltwater with large inboard motors that a full cooling system should be completed regularly - again having your boat in a berth at a marina with these services on site saves you time and money. Don’t forget stern drives were really designed for freshwater lakes not saltwater, so the legs need servicing regularly – marinas with a hardstand on site can save you money here in no travel time or fuel for servicing.

🛥️ Inspect and Maintain Mooring and berth Lines

Lines wear out due to sun, salt, and constant movement. Where your marina is, and how protected from the elements it is, will determine how much your boat moves around and therefore how much your lines wear and potentially how damaged your boat becomes. Passing water traffic and wind and current all cause movement so it’s best to find a marina with as little as all of these as possible. Check lines for fraying, stiffness, or signs of wear and replace as needed. It’s also good to use chafe guards on lines to prevent wear at contact points. Good marinas will have dockmasters that will notice damage to lines and you can even have them prepare lines specifically for your boat in your berth to make life even easier.

🛥️ Look After Your Batteries

A boat stored in water relies on its batteries for bilge pumps, alarms, and other essential systems. Check the charge and condition of the batteries regularly and ensure they’re charging correctly when the engine is running or plugged into shore power. Keeping your boat in a marina berth of course means you can have it plugged into power to charge the batteries continuously – if you don’t use your boat for a while this can be essential – good marinas like Empire Marina Bobbin Head even have back up power available for when the grid goes down to ensure your power supply to your boat is never lost.

Having an electrician on site at a marina means they can check and maintain your batteries for you. So pick a marina that has this and you'll save yourself time and worry.

🛥️ Maintain Deck and Drainage Systems

Keep the deck clean and check that drainage scuppers and gutters aren’t clogged with leaves or debris. Clear drains prevent water from pooling, which can lead to slips, damage, or mould growth. Make sure all of your tank caps are closed before you wash down the deck – water in the fuel tank can be a good way to stop your engine entirely.

🛥️ Inspect Safety Equipment

Ensure that life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits are in good condition and accessible. Regularly check expiration dates and replace any items/service lifejackets as needed to meet safety regulations.

🛥️ Let the marina team know you are going away

If you’re going away travelling for a couple of months let the marina team at which you berth your boat know, so they can check up on her every now and then. This is another good reason to keep your boat berthed at a marina with experienced staff on site like Empire Marina Bobbin Head.

🛥️ By following these tips, you'll help protect your boat’s performance, safety, and appearance while it’s berthed at a marina or otherwise. Routine maintenance also helps prevent costly repairs and extends the life of your boat.

At Empire Marinas we are not just a marina at which you berth your boat. We genuinely care about your boating lifestyle and wish to make it the best it can be. From maintenance advice like this, to community events allowing clients on the marina to become friends, we are not just a marina, we are a group of real people that really love boating.

At Empire Marina Bobbin Head and Empire Marina Lake Macquarie we have full hardstand facilities on site because we know it saves our clients money but also time too in taking care for their boats. Did we mention we won the Best Boatyard Award in Australia under 20 boats category at Empire Marina Bobbin Head in 2023? We also have a highly experienced team that know everything there is to know about boats so if you don't - they can help, which can not only save you money, but stress too.