There’s no better way to spend a weekend than on a boat. Whether you are fishing, skiing or just on a pleasure cruise, it’s easy to have a good time while on the water. That being said, nothing ruins the outing quicker than unexpected mechanical or electrical problems. Nobody likes the idea of being stranded in the middle of a big lake or miles offshore in the gulf. That is why it is important to make sure your boat is equipped with a variety of spare parts to make sure you do not get stranded out at sea. Keeping the right spare parts on your boat can get you out of a bad situation and save you money.
Spare Boat Propeller
You never think it will happen to you, but it happens to the best of us. Maybe you are in unfamiliar waters or the water is lower than normal and you didn’t see the rocks there. Now your propeller is toast. Propellers take a lot of abuse. They get chipped, scratched, knocked and hit. Despite the beating, they can still work, but have drastically lower performance. If a battered prop takes enough blows, you might have to grab the oars or call a tow. Both unideal situations. This is why it is smart to keep a spare propeller, hardware and tools like a floating prop wrench on your boat. Now changing a prop on the water isn’t the easiest thing to do. We recommend using an interchangeable hub design propeller on stern drives and outboards to save money.
Spare Boat Impeller
If you aren’t regularly checking on the impeller on your engine’s raw water pump, hopefully this list gets you to. It is an important piece keeping your engine running smoothly and not overheating. The engine can overheat if the impeller’s rubber blades are swelling, cracking or tearing apart inside the water pump. This can cause serious damage to the engine. Abrasive sand-like material can cause the impeller to wear out faster. Impellers can also wear out by becoming stiff and brittle due to the motor sitting unused for several seasons or being exposed to heat. Water lubricates the impeller, and if it’s run dry, the impeller can be ruined in a few seconds. Unfortunately if the impeller completely fails while you are on the water, it is probably too late for an easy fix. This is why it is so important to keep a spare onboard and to check it often. Impellers are cheap and will definitely pay for themselves if they are needed.
Spark Plugs
If you are having engine trouble, a good place to start is the spark plugs. Symptoms of bad boat spark plugs can be trouble starting the engine, engine hesitation or cutting out, loss of engine power and decreased acceleration. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to take a look at your spark plugs. Inspect the spark plugs for damage to the insulator tip, boot and upper and lower insulators. Next, check the spark plugs for signs of fouling. A fouled spark plug occurs when the plug isn’t burning fuel normally, leaving damage to the plug which can cause the engine not to start. A normal spark plug will appear dry with a grayish color. A wet spark plug can indicate water in the fuel while a white residue on the plug can point to a plug that is too hot. If the plug is black with soot, it can mean that the fuel has too much oil while an eroded plug can indicate a too-hot plug. Spark plugs are cheap so they are a must-have spare part. Make sure you have a couple onboard and check them regularly.
Starter Battery
A battery may seem like an expensive thing to have as a spare but if you end up needing it, it pays for itself instantly compared to a tow or the stress of being stranded without being able to start your engine. Also this doesn’t have to be the most expensive, powerful battery. It just has to be enough to get you to shore. As boats are getting more technologically advanced, they are also using more battery power. This is an important consideration when buying a battery. Battery power is a VERY common cause of so many issues on a boat so it is a good idea to have a spare to be prepared.
Spare Fuel Filters
This might be an obvious inclusion but it is still good to include to drive home it’s importance. However we have heard stories about a fun boating weekend planned, the engine is filled with fuel, and then when it's on the water, the engine feels as though it's losing strength. The engine sputters and stalls. It’s entirely possible for old fuel that sits in the fuel system to cause carbon deposits and buildup in the combustion chamber. Start with replacing the fuel filters, check your fuel lines and make sure to clear any debris in the lines. Hopefully, this corrects the problem. And remember to use a fuel stabilizer every time you fill up!
Hopefully you never have problems on the water but the only way you know you definitely aren’t going to break down is if you never leave home, and that doesn’t sound like a lot of fun. This means you have to prepare for the worst with spare parts and tools on your boat to keep it running and make sure you have the best time on the water. It’s always better to spend a few dollars up front than to have to deal with a ruined engine or being stranded in open waters.
