Outboard Motor Service Log

What this sheet is for

Service an outboard by hours rather than by dates, and keep the impeller and anode record that decides whether the motor has a long life or a short one.

Who it is for

Owners of outboard-powered boats, tenders and ribs, in salt water and fresh.

How to use it

1. Write the part numbers for the impeller kit, filters, plugs and anodes in once.
2. Log the hour meter reading at every service, not the date alone.
3. Tick the flushing routine every time the motor has been in salt water.
4. Record gear oil condition — water in the gear oil is an early warning, not a detail.

What is on the sheet

The layout is fixed at a size that fits both A4 and US Letter, so the A4 and Letter files are visually identical and print at full size on either. Rows are set at a height that an adult can actually write a date and a few words into with a pen — most printable tables are built in a word processor and never tested with one.

Questions

Why does the impeller need replacing when it still works?

A rubber impeller hardens and takes a set long before it stops pumping, and it is usually the last thing to fail before an overheat. Replacement intervals come from your own manual and vary with use, but the point is that it is a cheap part protecting an expensive one.

How long should I flush for after salt water?

Long enough for the block to come up to temperature and then run cool, so the salt is actually carried out rather than diluted. Your manual gives a time for your motor and says whether it may be run out of the water — some may not be.