San Diego Boat Yacht and RV Repair Facility

A boat can run perfectly at the dock, then start creeping hot the minute you’re out cruising. That’s the kind of problem that makes your stomach drop, because you’re not just pulling over on the shoulder if things get worse. Overheating is usually a cooling-system problem, but marine cooling has a few quirks that catch people off guard. If you know the common failure points and the early warning signs, you can often prevent a hot run from turning into a tow and a bigger repair bill. Why Marine Engines Overheat More Suddenly Than Cars Most boats rely on raw water coming in from outside, moving through the system, and carrying heat away. That means your cooling system depends on water flow the same way a car depends on coolant level and radiator airflow. If water flow gets restricted, the temperature can climb fast. Boats also deal with sand, weeds, silt, salt, and growth that cars never see. Even on a clean lake, debris can get pulled into the inta ... read more