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Free Spring Inspection Readies Boats for Summer

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Each year, boaters eagerly await the first day out on the water doing what they enjoy most – fishing, swimming, waterskiing, and more. If you have a workboat that doesn’t take a break, it’s important to have it inspected too. Spring is the time to bring your boat up-to-speed to reduce downtime when the weather warms.

One of the simplest ways to do this is by scheduling a free inspection with Western Branch Diesel. The company offers this service to all boat owners. Rick Ezell, general marine service manager at Western Branch Diesel, describes the free inspection program, “the technician will come out and do an overall visual inspection of the oil, coolant, exhaust, and raw water systems. They look for leaks, anything out of the ordinary,” he said. “The goal is to catch problems in advance so it doesn’t impact your work or family plans.”

The technician will take a look at the main engine as well as the generator engine, which operates the lights and navigation, and the electrical system. “Typically, the generator engine is in a sound enclosure so the operator and passengers aren’t bothered by noise. Because of this, sometimes owners don’t catch leaks in that area,” he said. “We’ll open it up and take a look.”

At the time of the inspection, the boat’s gauges, sensors and spare parts are checked. All electrical engines are plugged in to a company computer with software that will check for active or historical codes, which can alert to items to be addressed in the engine system.

Western Branch Diesel services engines, such as MTU, Volvo Penta, Cummins, Northern Lights, and Westerbeke. The company has access to all maintenance schedules and can make suggestions based on factory recommendations, in addition to keeping a record of service for the customer

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The company aims to provide a same-day response and will schedule the inspection within a couple of days. “We provide mobile service and can come to you. There is little impact on your schedule. We’re in and out quickly and will provide a written report to show what needs attention,” said Ezell.

Free inspections are available within the service area which covers the eastern shore of the U.S., from the New Jersey/New York border to the border of Georgia/Florida.

David Shook, Western Branch Diesel’s off-highway and marine service manager in Portsmouth, Virginia, manages marine field service technicians for the Portsmouth, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland service areas.

Part of his responsibilities are to keep the technicians fully trained, in-house and factory, on the latest technical aspects of the engines they sell. He states that it’s worth having an experienced, trained technician conduct your inspection since they are required to stay continually up-to-date on what the factories are recommending and planning, as well as any new technology.

To schedule your free inspection, contact Western Branch Diesel at 757-673-7000 or contact our marine service department.

Please Note: This offer applies to diesel products only and is valid through March 31, 2021.