Boating is an activity that fuels pride of ownership, and for many owners a strong do-it-yourself attitude. Knowing you have covered the basics of maintenance gives you confidence that your boat is in tip-top shape every time you leave the dock.
Maintenance and reliability go hand in hand. Regular maintenance is insurance against problems that can reduce your enjoyment of time spent on the water. A small investment in regular maintenance can help you avoid major repairs, reducing the long-term cost of boat ownership. Maintenance preserves your boat’s value. When you are ready to trade in or sell your boat, a record of regular maintenance will give a dealer or the next owner confidence – and you a premium price.
Maintenance and reliability go hand in hand. Regular maintenance is insurance against problems that can reduce your enjoyment of time spent on the water. A small investment in regular maintenance can help you avoid major repairs, reducing the long-term cost of boat ownership. Maintenance preserves your boat’s value. When you are ready to trade in or sell your boat, a record of regular maintenance will give a dealer or the next owner confidence – and you a premium price.
The operation and maintenance manual, often called the owner’s manual, for your Mercury outboard or MerCruiser sterndrive is your best basic guide for maintenance. It contains a maintenance schedule and instructions on how to complete essential maintenance tasks. A free digital copy of many Mercury manuals is available for download. If the electronic version of the manual is not available for your engine, contact Mercury Support at 920-929-5110 to request one.
Many boat owners trust the Mercury-trained technicians at their local Mercury authorised dealer to handle routine maintenance and service. A Mercury dealer has the parts, tools and technicians with the factory training and skills to handle any in-season service or repair, winterisation or offseason storage prep. If you are a confident do-it-yourselfer, there are many basic engine and drive maintenance tasks that can be handled with a basic set of hand tools, a few special service tools, and the guidance of your owner’s manual or a service manual. This is especially true of outboards and sterndrives that can be readily serviced while the boat is on a trailer.
Whether you choose a dealer or a DIY service, insist on genuine Mercury Precision Parts® for maintenance and repairs. Mercury Precision Parts are factory-engineered exact replacements for the original parts installed in your Mercury or MerCruiser engine or drive when it was manufactured, which means you can expect the same quality and fit as the original component being replaced. You can find the right parts for your Mercury or MerCruiser engine using the online Mercury parts catalogue. Search by engine serial number to see detailed engine diagrams and part numbers, then contact your local Mercury authorised dealer to place your order.
Occasionally a boater is faced with an option to use non-marine components such as oils, lubricants, filters or electrical components, including batteries. In some cases these products are cheaper or more readily available at the local auto parts store, but their use on your boat or marine engine can cause long-term problems. Most automotive products are not designed to be used in a marine environment, which can lead to short life expectancy and unexpected breakdowns. Duty cycles and operating conditions on the water are very different than on land and in most cases much harsher, especially since marine engines frequently operate under high loads and a higher rpm for longer periods of time than auto engines. The highly corrosive environment found on the water, especially if you operate in saltwater or brackish water, can also cause non-marine parts to fail quickly. Saving some money up front on cheaper car parts may be tempting, but the future service bill could be costly.
Mercury outboard, MerCruiser engine and MerCruiser drive maintenance kits are ideal for do-it-yourself owners who want to save time, money and hassle. Mercury maintenance kits are available for most Mercury engines in 100 and 300-hour service intervals and include all of the Mercury precision parts you will need for that level of engine service. Rather than spending hours looking up parts and making multiple trips to purchase what you need, simply pick up the applicable maintenance kit from your local Mercury Marine dealer and get started.
Spare kits are available from a Mercury authorised dealer.
or large socket and breaker bar
or a block of wood
(rags, cleaners, etc,)
Properly maintaining your batteries helps ensure your engine starts up easily and your other electronic accessories are properly powered when you are ready to head out for fun and adventure on the water.
Using the correct fuel in your Mercury Marine® engine and properly maintaining your fuel system can help ensure many seasons of reliable service. For more guidance on fuel requirements for your engine, see the fuel section of your Mercury® operation and maintenance manual.
Your engine lives and works in the water, where it is constantly exposed to elements that can cause corrosion.
