What is the minimum amount of times i should run my boat in the summer without any problems from the engine?

Question

What is the minimum amount of times i should run my boat in the summer without any problems from the engine?

Answer 1

A true boater would've answered "every weekend" if weather permits! : )

Answer 2

If you have ethanol gas this can cause a problem. Use a marine stabilizer. This can last 3 months. {yes this is a contradiction to what we have known in the past.} Also  ethanol gas will separate causing water on the bottom and  fuel on the top, thus when you start you may suck up water. Make sure you have a water separator filter.(follow ABYC standards). The fuel you have may also loose it's octane rating after 6 weeks. A booster does not tell you how much it increases and for how long. If you have non-ethanol gas, The above info may be OK. The battery must be charged. If it falls below a certain volt for a time it may not hold a charge again.

Answer 3

You should run it at least once every 2 weeks if you have a battery maintainer hooked up, once a week if not. But you should not just run the motor, you should take it out and run it under load to get the engine and oils up to temp and burn out any condensation.

Answer 4

once a month

Answer 5

The more you run it the better.  I have seldom seen a boat worn out from overuse.  The major culprit in the demise of a boat is inactivity.  The pumps, switches, valves and all the other parts need to move regularly

When we were cruising on our boat we never had a down day in 5 years and 50000 miles.  I see boats with less than 100 hours on them all the time that are nearly ready for the scrap pile.

Answer 6

Its not just how often.  Once a month is good enough.  But it is very important that you let it run until the temperature stabilizes.  

As the engine cools and daily as the air warms and cools,  moisture can enter the crankcase.  by heating the engine up to temp, you drive out all this moisture and distrubute oil throughout the engine.

otherwise and small amounts of rust will develop, and every time you start, you wear the parts a little.  

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