I recently read an article in a boating magazine that described several products that will help stretch the life span of your boat.
Fiberglass boats have many joints around ports, stachion bases and chainplates. Unfortunately they seem to leak every so often. For these types of afflictions a product called Life Caulk will solve the problem. Life Caulk, even sets up under water. Silicone sealents also work great to keep water out of your boat. They remain pliant for a long time and will move with the walls and deck of your boat.
The machinery on your boat is quickly taken care of from a canned product that has been known to long time sailors as, holy water. The product is called WD-40. It not only prevents rust but it can heal inner problems, like seized nuts and bolts. I have sprayed it on a engine headbolt that surely should have been drilled out, left it set for half an hour and to my amazement it came out with ease. People have been known to spray this magical oil into the air intake of a diesel and free up sticky valves. And have sprayed it onto the top of a piston that was partly frozen.
Another canned
product that old timers carry around and swear by it, is Marvel Mystery
Oil. You can use it like WD-40, or as a fuel or oil additive. It has
been said to free up piston rings.
An oil additive call Slick is reputed to do all sorts of things to your engine. The users claim during a haul out, if you smear it onto the exposed propeller shaft, propeller and strut, it will keep the marine life off longer than any anti-barnacle running gear paints in the store.
When winterizing your boat a product call OMC is used for your engine. Just before laying your engine up for a long rest, you squirt the pressurized contents of the can into the carburetor throat while running the engine. It oils up the innards and makes everything just right when you bring the engine out for the summer.
Biobor and StarBrit products and lots of others keep diesel and gas from doing what its not supposed to do when sitting for long periods of time. Even a tank of good fuel can grow algae that can damage injector pumps and injectors. Pouring in the right measure will work wonders and will prevent an engine stall when you least expect it.
We all know that sea water and salt air is a boats worst enemy. But you can fight back. Rustoleum to the rescue. Many boat owners use it to protect their electrical systems. It works great to seal a electric motor on a anchor windlass. It can be used to seal the metal motor casing and the casing seams. When ever there is a sign of bubbling or rust, scrape it off and give it a squirt.
Electrical wire ends will also eventually corrode with exposure to salt air, but not as quickly if you coat it with a product call Liquid Tape. It comes in a can with a brush. It can also be used to keep rope ends from unraveling.
A must product for you sailors is sail cloth tape. This sticky back tape works like magic on rips and tears. You peel off the sticky back paper and place it on the tear and you're back in business.
These products are inexpensive and can be purchased at most marine stores.