Marine gear maintenance is fundamental. If you own gear that you regularly take out to sea, the chances of saltwater corrosion damaging said equipment is high without some tender loving care.

That’s why we’ve put together a quick and easy guide to regular marine gear maintenance for your valuable equipment. Learn why it’s important, how saltwater can affect your gear, and best practices for long-term winter storage.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

No matter what kind of marine gear you’ve accumulated over the years, it’s essential to maintain all of it as regularly as possible. The right maintenance routine will keep your equipment pristine for years to come, saving you a ton of money and stress.

In particular, staying on top of salt removal is vital as part of that maintenance routine. Whether you work or play in the ocean, saltwater corrosion is a constant presence. Whether carried by sea spray or simply in the air, salt is a damaging influence that can wreak havoc on your belongings if left unchecked.

Surfaces

Salt damage is common on surfaces of all kinds, even those designed to resist corrosion, like stainless steel or aluminium. This is because saltwater is more conductive than freshwater. On a chemical level, there are more dissolved ions in saltwater, allowing electrons to move more quickly than in freshwater. This movement speeds up rust formation.

Engines

In hard-to-reach places like your engine, it’s easy for salt crystals to accumulate and cause blockages. As with metallic surfaces, salt water can also corrode essential engine components. This has the potential to create a lot of expensive damage.

Electrical Gear

Any and all electrical gear can also fall victim to saltwater corrosion. The conductivity of salt water can quickly corrode protections applied to electrical connections before corroding the connections themselves. Short circuits, false readings, and long-term damage can all result.

Keep in mind even the most aggressive scrubbing techniques won’t get rid of salt altogether. Especially in hard-to-reach places like the twists and turns of your boat’s engine block.

Salt binds to surfaces on a chemical level. Instead of scrubbing for hours, you need to find a product that will neutralise the salt and bind to the particles, helping to lift them from your surfaces or flush them out of your engine.

That’s where a great salt remover comes in.

Choose the Right Salt Remover

Introducing: Salt Attack, the fast-acting salt remover with long-term corrosion protection built right in. Featuring bio-based surfactants and corrosion inhibitors, this is a concentrated solution you can use for any and all marine equipment care.

Salt Attack binds to salt molecules, lifting them from your surfaces and flushing them out of your engine block to neutralise their effects. Use it as an all-surface washdown or to unclog severe salt blockages in your boat’s engine: this is the most versatile salt remover on the market.

With Salt Attack at the core of your marine gear maintenance routine, your equipment will happily stand up to the ocean spray for years to come.

Best Practices for Marine Gear Maintenance

Outside of regularly cleaning your marine gear to keep it safe and healthy, there’s another consideration: storage. Holding onto your equipment for as long as possible means you need to store each piece appropriately.

While we have included some recommendations for storage below, it’s always best to consult your manufacturer’s guide for the ideal storage methods. That said, here are our general recommendations.

Boats and Boat Trailers

If you’re storing your boat away after the coming summer fun, it’s best to keep it out of the water if you can. Before storing, make sure to thoroughly clean and inspect your boat for any salt deposits or other safety concerns. When left for months at a time, small problems can quickly turn into large, expensive issues. This includes flushing your engine block.

Make sure to cover and tie down the vessel while storing any delicate pieces of the boat separately. If your boat has any wood on it, make sure to oil and varnish it with your preferred marine protectant as an additional safety measure before storing it.

Fishing Gear

Stowing your rod and reel is a quick and easy task. First, make sure you’ve thoroughly cleaned and rinsed with Salt Attack.

From there, disassemble your rod and reel, carefully avoiding tangles or knots. Carefully wrap the components in an old towel or t-shirt, preferably cotton. This helps to prevent dust caking in the delicate mechanism and keeps scratches off the paint.

Finally, store it somewhere dry and cool to prevent the rod from warping or rusting.

Diving Gear

The most important part of storing your diving gear is to make sure it’s clean and dry before you do so. Thoroughly rinse with Salt Attack and freshwater. Pay special attention to any equipment that water can sit inside of, like your mask or breather, ensuring you thoroughly rinse it with fresh water.

Allow everything to completely dry, then check it over one more time before storing it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.

There you have it! Quick and easy tips from the Salt Attack team for marine gear maintenance. From one ocean enthusiast to another, have a great time on the water, and never underestimate the power of a great salt remover!

Salt Attack works hard so that you don’t have to.

Protect Your Gear with Salt Attack Solutions. Discover these proven tips for gear longevity and enjoy smoother voyages. Dive in now!