Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

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Part 6: Boating Maintenance
brackets support a lot of weight, and if that weight is moved over dry surfaces the steering
becomes very difficult.
The throttle cables can also use a shot of lube regularly to allow for easy speed adjustment.
Hydraulic and power steering systems are filled with oil (not motor oil, but hydraulic
steering fluid), and unless they leak, you’ll rarely need to add any oil. If you open the system
to add oil, you may have to bleed air from it—a job better left to a pro if you’re not
inclined to tinker.
While you’re examining the steering system, check it for any binding or excessive play,
grating noises, or loose fasteners. Any problems in this system can lead to disaster, obviously,
so if you even suspect problems, take the boat to a shop.
Check the Oil, Please
The lower unit of outboards and stern drives is filled with gear oil, and this should be
checked regularly. Do so by opening the upper inspection hole, sealed with a flushmounted
screw. A slight amount of the oil will run out when you pull the screw if the unit
is properly filled.
The oil should be dark and clear. If it’s milky-looking, there’s water in the lower unit and
you need to visit the repair shop promptly to find out why. (Usually it’s a prop-shaft seal,
but sometimes it’s a crack in the housing, the result of striking an obstruction.)
If the unit needs oil, it has to be added from the bottom. Oil added from the top traps air,
creates bubbles, and makes a mess.
The oil filler screw is on the bottom side of the gear housing, just above the skeg. Don’t
remove it until you put the upper screw back into place unless you want to drain the unit
and refill it completely. The air lock formed by the airtight housing will keep most oil
from running out when you remove the lower screw.
Check the oil that comes out of the bottom hole for metal particles. If you see any, it’s a
sign that something is coming apart inside—have a mechanic take a look. If you don’t see
any debris, put the filler tube into the filler hole, and then slightly loosen the upper screw
so that air can escape as you pump or squeeze oil into the lower tube.
When oil comes out the upper hole, tighten that screw to re-create the vacuum, and then
quickly remove the filler tube and plug the hole with the lower screw. Now tighten both
screws securely and wipe off any excess oil with paper towels.
Another hidden spot that may need a refill once a year is your tilt/trim reservoir. Check
your owner’s manual for location and access to the filler tube, and use only the recommended
fluid.