It’s been a few years since this sportsman reached the mark of middle age. At the time I wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about, but as I look back now I understand what middle age truly means. For some of us it’s really not a big deal. We may notice that upper body that was once toned, now turns into what a smart lady calls love handles. Now, for this fat, old Swedish boy, these love handles aren’t a thing a pride but a sign of aging.

Those who make the successful transition from middle age to older age, realize early that the things we used to do with ease and took for granted, aren’t so much anymore. If any of this sounds familiar, look at it from a boat perspective.

Our boats are much like us. With age they need a little more attention and care. Remember, when you are broken down on the water, it’s difficult to find a tow truck to come rescue you.

With people, middle age begins at around 40. With boats, it’s about the 10-year mark. And for both, it signals a time when age begins to show. But that doesn’t mean life is slowing down, only that it takes more effort to stay in shape. With decade-old boats, it means taking a hard look at things that haven’t been checked out over for some time. I have used the following as guidelines and tips to keep that older boat safe and in working order.

Like a spring gobbler hunter, a 10-year-old bilge pump has likely led a tough life. Switches are often the first to go, so make sure yours works fine by pouring water in the bilge to activate the pump, making sure nothing interferes with the switch. Take a close look at wire connections as they often are near or in standing water at the bottom of the boat.

When it was new, the fuel hose did a great job of delivering gas to the engine. Over time, however, gas can permeate the hose wall causing damage. Take a rag around the hose, wipe it down and then smell the rag. If you smell gas, replace the hose immediately. If you do have to replace, always install new hose clamps, too.

Like some of us with bad a knee, bend the cable in your hands and listen for “crunching,” a telltale sign that all is not well. Swelling and rust are also bad signs and indicate it’s time to replace.

The boatyard rule of thumb is that after 10 years, the bedding compound owes you nothing. Begin a schedule to periodically remove and rebed fittings, doing a few each year so the job isn’t overwhelming. This will keep the leaks out that could lead to more expensive repairs.

Eventually all props get dinged, and you may not see the damage clearly with your eye. If it’s never been to a shop, now is a good time to take it to a prop shop for reconditioning, and you’ll also likely save some money on fuel with a tuned prop.

If you have an inboard, the cutlass bearing might be due for replacement, especially if there’s more than just a smidgen of play in the drive shaft. It’s also time to take a hard look at the stuffing box. If you’ve had to re-tighten the stuffing box nut often, it’s time to replace the packing.

If you use your boat more than 100 hundred hours a year, or it has been used in salt or brackish waters and you still have the original manifolds, thank your lucky stars they haven’t failed yet. Now is the time to do some proactive maintenance to replace them.

A little bit of basic maintenance can add year to the life of your boat and save you huge marina bills in the future.