A DIY Guide to Maintain Your Duck Boat

Proactive maintenance and repair of your boat can make your duck hunting trips safer and more memorable. The subfreezing temperature can create unique problems for your vessel and interfere with its functioning. This can lead to loss of precious time on the water and pose a risk to your safety. Don’t worry if you are unsure where to begin—we have you covered.

Refer to this guide, where our experts at L&M Marine have highlighted a few DIY maintenance tips for tuning up your duck boat. If you have more questions, swing by our dealership for a friendly chat with our team. We are in Stapleton, AL, and we are happy to welcome our friends from Mobile, AL, and Pensacola, FL.

Tune-Up Your Motor

Your duck boat’s owner’s manual will have information about any maintenance procedures and part replacements your manufacturer recommends. So, refer to the manual before you begin work.

You can inspect your motor, lubricate the grease fittings, and then examine the propellor for any cracks or dents. If you notice any large chips, seek expert assistance.

Inspect the Oil and Fuel

Next, you’ll want to check the oil and replace it if the color or quality appears inconsistent. You’ll also want to add more oil to your outboard motor’s fuel mixture for extra lubrication.

It’s a good idea to use an additive to your motor’s fuel. This chemical substance helps prevent ethanol separation that occurs more in low temperatures. Make sure that you pick a stabilizer for ethanol-based gas.

Change Your Spark Plugs

Use a spark plug gap tool to check the gap on your plugs and replace them if needed. Ideally, you should change out your boat’s spark plugs after every 50-70 hours of operation.  

We hope these tips help you tune up your duck boat to make it safer and more efficient for your outings. If you need more maintenance advice or want to upgrade your vessel to a recent model, visit L&M Marine. We have a fine selection of duck boats for sale, and we can help you select a model that’s perfect for you. We are in Stapleton, AL, and we proudly serve Mobile, AL, and Pensacola, FL.