Mid-season outboard maintenance: the 10-minute checklist

2026-07-17 · Marine Point

In July and August your outboard works harder than during the whole rest of the year. Most of the breakdowns we see coming through the door in high season would have been avoided with a ten-minute check before setting off. This is ours.

The checklist

1. The cooling tell-tale. As soon as you start up, look at the water stream. Weak or intermittent = the pump impeller is on its way out. It's a cheap part; a seized powerhead is not.

2. Oil level and colour. On four-strokes, dipstick when cold: correct level and honey-coloured. Milky oil means water inside — don't start it, bring it to us.

3. Propeller and shaft. A glance at the blades (nicks, bent edges) and, every so often, propeller off to check there is no fishing line wrapped around the shaft: it is the silent killer of the seal.

4. Anodes. If an anode is more than half eaten away, replace it. It is protecting your lower unit from corrosion — the most profitable sacrifice in boating.

5. Fuel and filters. Petrol more than a month old, especially with ethanol, is the main cause of dirty carburettors. Transparent water-separating filter: if you see water or sediment, it's time for a change.

6. Fuel lines and primer bulb. Cracks, hard spots or leaks in the fuel line get replaced, not watched.

How often

• Every outing: points 1 and 2.
• Every month in season: points 3 to 6.
• Every 100 hours or at season's end: engine and gearbox oil change, spark plugs, and the impeller if it is more than two seasons old.

At Marine Point we carry engine and sterndrive spares for the leading brands with immediate availability — oils, anodes, impellers, filters and spark plugs leave our Palma warehouse the same day. If you are a maintenance professional, our trade account will interest you.