Have you ever looked at a broken appliance and thought to yourself "I bet that can be fixed." If so, you need to make a call to a repairs specialist. Most things can be repaired — you just have to call the right person. There are repair professionals who focus on electronics, others who focus on home components like roofs and gutters, and still others who make repairs to home appliances, exclusively. Help is a phone call away.
Even though someone else is doing the work, however, we do think it's important for you to know a bit about repairs and restoration. That's why we're providing helpful articles on this blog. Fix it to the max — we know you can!
It's inevitable that your boat will need repairs at some point in order to stay afloat on the water. Reputable repair shops can easily get your boat running reliably, but the efficiency of these repairs may depend on your actions.
You can be proactive in preparing for boat repairs to reduce the amount of time your boat spends in the shop.
1. Be Descriptive
One of the easiest things that you can do to help increase efficiency when your boat needs repairs is to be descriptive when telling the technician about the problem. Modern boats are made up of multiple components that work together to power the vessel.
General problems, like a sputtering engine or sluggish bilge pump, can be caused by a number of malfunctions. If you aren't able to provide a detailed description of the problem you are experiencing with your boat, technicians will have to troubleshoot each potential cause to get the root of the issue.
This lengthy diagnostic process takes time, which limits the amount of time you will be able to spend in your boat on the water. Be as descriptive as possible to help speed up the repair process for your boat.
2. Create a Log
Many boat problems are only experienced on an intermittent basis. This can make it difficult for a technician to pinpoint the underlying issue. You can create a log that details each time your boat malfunctions before taking the vessel into the shop for repairs.
Be sure to include all pertinent information, like what you were doing when the boat malfunctioned and the time of day the malfunction occurred. The more information you can provide in your log, the easier it will be for a technician to spot a pattern that will lead to the correct diagnosis.
3. Schedule Properly
Scheduling repairs for your boat may seem like a simple task, but there is a way to schedule service appointments so that the efficiency of all needed repairs is maximized. Any routine maintenance that your boat needs should be scheduled during the slow season.
A shop will be able to get your boat in and out quickly during the slow season. If you put off routine maintenance until the boating season heats up, it's easy to dismiss routine repairs because of the shop's busy schedule.
By scheduling routine maintenance and repairs when business slows, you will reduce the potential for a major malfunction once boating season starts.