Sean Cossey Marine News and Monthly Specials

Winter Service Time - don't forget to Winterise (May 2010)

Before you put the boat away this winter have your motor serviced before the boating season starts again.

Over the next few months of limited or no use at all can be very costly and inconvenient at the start of the next boating season if simple things are not addressed.

• a leaking head gasket can turn into a seized motor
• or water starting to enter the gearbox via fishing line around the propeller shaft
• or worn water pump seals damaging bearing and gears
• or steering cables and control cables being left in one position for months of time causing them to seize up

These are all very common repairs at the start of the season. Even your wheel bearings on your trailer should be greased and serviced.

So save yourself the expense and heartache at the start of the next boating season and have your boat serviced in the off-season. From now until the end of August / September is the off season months to do these services.

Don't forget I am only a phone call away.

Sean Cossey

Tasmanian Fishing News 

For all you Anglers and Boaties out there - this is one magazine you don't want to miss. For $5.00 an Issue the wealth of information you receive is priceless.

Start of Season Maintenance (September 2009)

Well boating season is upon us and while many boaties are planning weekend trips or various fishing trips around Tassy, the reality is that many people will start the season handing out hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs because they didn’t have their outboard serviced at the end of the last season.

End of season servicing is vital to extending the life of your outboard. Time and time again marine mechanics hear people say that towards the end of last season the motor was missing and that they would get it looked at when the next seasons starts. Its often too late when they finally have it inspected a couple of days before they want use it, and find that the missing in the motor was a leaking head or exhaust gasket and the motor is seized. This could be due to the water leaking into the cylinder and locking up the piston or crankshaft. This sort of expensive repair could and should have been avoided by having it serviced at the end of the season. Tell tale signs would have shown water greying on the spark plugs, and to the properly trained mechanics eye, could have been a simple head or exhaust gasket change at a fraction of the cost of a rebuild or repower. Many of the potential disasters can be avoided by end of year servicing as well as having your vessel prepared for off-season storage.

So assuming that the vessel has been correctly serviced and then stored in the off-season you may well ask what do we do now? Basically you start with visually checking over the motor, starting with the externals. Looking at the trunk and gear case for any surface corrosion or paint scratches that need repairing. Also check if there is any oil or fluids weeping out of or around the propeller, intake screens or drain bungs. Next is to check gear lube level, this can be done by removing the vent screw and using a piece of wire that has been bent at the end, inserting it into the hole and checking for oil on it when removed. Topping up gear oil is done simply by removing the lower drain screw and purging the air out until oil comes out of the vent screw. Make sure you install the vent screw before removing the oil pump so that the gear oil won’t run straight back out. Be sure to use the correct gear oil, as there are various types. Check the propeller for small chips or bends; filing the chips and using a hammer and dolly on small bends can easily repair these. More extensive damage should be carryout out by an experienced propeller repairer to ensure proper balance to the gearbox. Lubricate all grease nipples, friction points and steering cable as well as checking that the steering turns freely. Remove the engine cover and visually check engine for signs of corrosion or fluid leaks. Ensure there is no hoses loose or split and that all electrical connections are tight and clean.

Inspect fuel systems starting at the fuel tank. Check fuel lines, connectors and primer bulb making sure there are no leaks or deterioration. Change the water separating filter and check inline filters. If you have a premix engine, and the fuel is more than eight weeks old and has not been stabilised, you will need to drain and clean the tank and refill with fresh fuel/oil mix.

Check battery is fully charged and levels are topped up correctly with distilled water then reconnect battery. Make sure the terminals are clean and making good contact. Coat terminals and connections with dielectric grease or Vaseline.

Once all checks are complete you can proceed with your normal run-up, making sure the engine is pumping water and is running smoothly. Check gearshift is engaging and disengaging in forward, neutral and reverse gears smoothly. Also check power tilt is operating up and down properly. If any problems are experienced at this point and you are not sure how to rectify them you should take your motor to a reputable marine mechanic. Don’t take chances thinking a good run will fix the problem.

Finally don’t forget your trailer. Firstly jack each side of the trailer up and check the wheel bearings and repack them with marine bearing grease. Check the tyres and rims and make sure brakes are working properly (if fitted). Pay close attention to the trailer springs, making sure they are not starting to spread. Rust can form between the spring
leaves especially when they have not moved for months at a time. Test trailer lights are working correctly. Check coupling, safety chains, winch and cable are all in good working order. Inspect chassis and drawbar for rust and cracking and check rollers have not deteriorated.

So if all is going well at this point you should be ready to hit the water, oh, and don’t forget to check you safety gear!

Happy Boating.

Sean Cossey

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