Motor maintenance that’ll help alleviate some issues while you’re out and about. It will help cut down on the odds of breaking down on the water. Won’t stop it from happening, but it will lower the odds against it happening.
This will be mostly for the 2 stroke motors, but can be easily adapted to the 4 strokes.
Fresh gas with an additive (stahbil, any of the motor manufacturers have their own version of an additive as well) if you can use non ethanol gas that’s even better, but good luck finding it and it’ll be more costly.
Spark plug replacement annually. Usually at the end of the season. But at a minimum, pull and clean them if not replacing them. Now I’ve owned my boat for close to 20 years and have a good feel for when they need a cleaning or a replacement. Rougher idle, slower hole shot will give you an idea.
Lower unit, replace the gear lube annually. Usually at the end of the season. Especially you folks up there in cold climates. If any water intrusion happens, it’ll freeze over winter and have a chance to crack your lower unit case.
If the seals start to leak you want to know so you can swap them out. When replacing the gear lube, replace the gasket washers on the screws that you drain and fill from.
Grease all the fittings on the motor, grease them until fresh grease squeezes out without anymore water coming out with it.
If you have hydraulic steering, check the fluid level. Plenty of YouTube videos on it and all the items I’ve mentioned so far.
Decarbing the motor helps with performance also on the 2 strokes. YouTube that one also. It pays dividends down the road. Too much carbon build up on piston domes lead to bad things…..
Prop, remove it and check for fishing line periodically. Fishing line will eat up the prop seals and cause a leak in the lower unit. Again YouTube is you friend if you’ve never done it. Grease the prop shaft before reinstalling the prop. Helps with removal the next time.
Batteries, check the water level as well as the connections. Make sure they’re tight and no corrosion. Use dielectric grease on those. If those battery terminals have wing nuts holding them in place? Remove, throw them away and use a self locking nut, tighten them down with a wrench or a socket. Goodin tight…. Also make sure the batteries are strapped down good. You’ll be amazed what waves can do to that compartment!