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Friday, November 6th, 2026

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A little boat motor maintenance in March will have you ready for open water

The lower unit is a good place to start annual maintenance. While the gear oil is draining, remove the prop to inspect for damage or embedded fishing line. (Photo by John Tertuliani)

In April of 1982, I became a creel clerk for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. It was a real job after college that launched a career outdoors. Assigned a boat with a cast-off outboard from one of the agency’s fisheries fish units, I was absolutely thrilled.
Before this, I had been running around Lake Erie with old outboards. A self-appointed sea captain, smug with the vigor of youth. Knowing how to adjust the low-speed idle, motoring out of the canal to conquer the endless waves, that was all a captain needed to know, yes?

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