This study guide brings together the central concepts in the boat mechanic trade. Use it as an overview when you revise.
The boat's systems
01Motor: inboard or outboard, petrol or diesel
02Fuel system: tank, filters, pumps — keep it clean and water-free
03Cooling system: often seawater-cooled — check intake and impeller
04Driveline: gear, shaft and propeller deliver power to the water
05Electrical systems: battery, charging system, instruments — watch out for corrosion.
The season's rhythm
Spring: preparing for water. Summer: service and emergency repairs. Autumn: winter storage. Winter: stored and frost-proof. The trade follows the seasons.
Systematic fault-finding
01Start with the symptom – what, when, under what conditions?