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Here are some things that you need to check on when performing maintenance on your boat.
One thing to check is the gear lube. When you do this, first remove the top plug to vent the gear case. Removing the bottom plug first can shoot gear lube for quite a distance! (once seen my boss remove the bottom plug first - shot lube across the shop and into the next room. Soaked him with gear oil. Somewhat enjoyable to watch but I don't recommend it.) Anyway, the top plug is also the level the gear lube should be at. Next you can remove the bottom plug to let a little bit dribble out to check for water, the water will be at the bottom. If the color of the lube is yellow there is some water in the gear case and if it is white it has a lot of water in the case. If it is time, drain the case and refill it. Put the lube in through the bottom plug until it comes out of the top plug. The put the top plug in before uncovering the bottom plug hole (this will help keep the lube from coming out). Then put the bottom plug in. Use new seal washers and be sure to tighten the plugs.
Put a few shots of grease into the grease zerks. Two or three pumps are more than enough. Different motors have different areas to lube, you'll need check a manual for your motor.
Check the battery cables for any kind of corrosion and clean them if you find any. Check the battery for a good charge and put it on the charger if needed. Ensure the battery cables are securely fastened at both the battery and the engine (CAREFUL to not ground out the positive cable on the engine). It is a very good idea to use star washers and hex nuts to fasten battery cables to the battery and tighten with a wrench (don't over tighten). Wing nuts have been known to come loose from vibration. As well people tend to tighten wing nuts with their fingers only. They need more than that.
Check the prop and dress it up if needed. If it is bad, send it to a repair shop to get it fixed.
Check the trailer wheel bearings. Raise the wheel and give it a spin. The bearings tend to make noise if they are bad. Give the bearings a shot of grease or replace them if necessary.
Inspect the control cables. Included is the throttle cable, shift cables (two on IOs) and the steering cable. Check to make sure that the cables fasteners are there and secure. Also inspect the cable jackets for cracking and replace them if they are bad.
On IOs, look at the air intake (flame arrestor) and clean it if necessary. If the Coast Guard catches you with a dirty flame arrestor you can be fined (it's a fire hazard). It is recommended that you clean it with soap and water only. Also check the belts for signs of cracking (look over the belts real good) and for signs of wear (does the belt sit deep into all the pulleys?).
Check the hoses and clamps. All clamps should be tight and the hoses should not be cracking and should not be stiff.
Get a can of engine tuner and follow the directions on how to use it with your engine.
Run the motor for a while and note the water output and the engine temperature. If things don't seem right have the cooling system checked out.
Keeping in the above as a maintenance check can catch a lot of problems before they become serious problems.
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