Dixon Marine Inc.

Dixon Marine Inc. Locally owned and operated, Dixon Marine offers full-service shop and mobile repair.

From engines and wiring to plumbing and trailers, we make boat repair simple and keep you water-ready across Carteret, Onslow & Craven counties

🚤 Is Your Boat Water Ready? 🌊The weather’s warming up and the water is calling… but before you launch, ask yourself one ...
03/09/2026

🚤 Is Your Boat Water Ready? 🌊

The weather’s warming up and the water is calling… but before you launch, ask yourself one important question:

Is your boat actually water ready?

A lot can happen over the off-season. Before your first run, make sure you check:

âš“ Batteries charged and connections clean
âš“ Fuel system and lines inspected
âš“ Impeller and cooling system working properly
âš“ Bilge pump functioning
âš“ Electrical and wiring in good shape
âš“ Engine running smooth before you hit the water

The last place you want to find a problem is out on the water.

If something sounds off, looks questionable, or just hasn’t been checked in a while, it’s a good time to get it looked at.

🔧 Dixon Marine
Keeping boaters on the water and out of trouble.

⚡ Boat Wiring: The Silent Problem Waiting to HappenMost electrical issues don’t start with a bang.They start with corros...
03/03/2026

⚡ Boat Wiring: The Silent Problem Waiting to Happen

Most electrical issues don’t start with a bang.
They start with corrosion. Loose connections. Cheap connectors. Wires that were “good enough.”

And in Eastern NC? Salt air accelerates everything.

Here’s what we see all the time:

🔹 Green corrosion creeping under heat shrink
🔹 Twisted wires wrapped in electrical tape
🔹 Automotive wire used in marine environments
🔹 Overloaded fuse blocks
🔹 Batteries wired without proper protection

On the water, wiring isn’t just about convenience. It’s about safety.

Bad wiring can mean:
• Dead bilge pump
• Electronics cutting out
• Trim not working
• Engine starting issues
• Worst case… electrical fire

What Proper Marine Wiring Should Include

✔️ Tinned marine-grade wire (resists corrosion)
✔️ Heat-shrink crimp connectors
✔️ Proper fuse protection within 7 inches of battery
✔️ Clean, labeled distribution blocks
✔️ Secured wiring (no loose bundles bouncing around)

If your wiring looks like spaghetti behind the console, it’s time.

A clean wiring job doesn’t just look professional — it prevents breakdowns and protects your investment.

Boat season is coming fast across Newport, Morehead City, Havelock, Swansboro and the Crystal Coast. Don’t wait until your electronics go dark at sunset.

Smart boat owners fix wiring problems before they strand them.

🚤 Think Your Boat Is Ready for the Season? Think Again.Every spring we see the same thing…Boats that ran fine last year ...
03/02/2026

🚤 Think Your Boat Is Ready for the Season? Think Again.

Every spring we see the same thing…

Boats that ran fine last year suddenly won’t start.
Overheating at idle.
Soft spots in the trailer tires.
Dead batteries.
Corrosion quietly eating away at connections.

Salt air doesn’t take the winter off. Neither does humidity in Eastern NC.

Before you back down that ramp in Newport, Morehead, Swansboro, or Havelock — ask yourself:

✔️ Has your impeller been checked?
✔️ Battery load tested?
✔️ Fuel system inspected?
✔️ Trailer bearings serviced?

A $150 service now beats a $3,000 repair in July.

If you’re local and serious about keeping your boat reliable, get it checked before the rush hits. Smart boat owners prepare early. The rest call when they’re stranded.










🚤 SATURDAY BOAT FACT YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED 🚤If your boat has an inboard or stern drive, there’s a tiny rubber part ...
02/28/2026

🚤 SATURDAY BOAT FACT YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED 🚤

If your boat has an inboard or stern drive, there’s a tiny rubber part called an impeller that keeps your engine cool.

It looks harmless.
It costs way less than an engine.
And if it fails… your motor can overheat in minutes.

Here’s the kicker 👇
Impellers should typically be replaced every 1–2 years — even if you “didn’t use the boat much.”

Rubber + sitting dry = cracking.
Cracking = overheating.
Overheating = expensive Saturday.

Don’t let a $40 part ruin a $10,000 motor.

Bring your boat to Dixon Marine in Newport for a pre-season check before the water calls your name.

đź“ž 919-738-4178 (Call or Text)

Because boats belong on the water… not on a trailer waiting for repairs.

If you aren’t following us, you’re going to miss the kind of boat knowledge that saves you thousands of dollars and a ru...
02/27/2026

If you aren’t following us, you’re going to miss the kind of boat knowledge that saves you thousands of dollars and a ruined weekend on the water.

Today’s Topic: Impeller Failure — The Silent Engine Killer

Your water pump impeller is a small rubber part that keeps water flowing through your engine to cool it down. When it fails, your engine overheats fast. And by fast, I mean shut-it-down-now fast.

Here’s what most boat owners don’t realize:
• Impellers should typically be replaced every 1–2 years (even if you don’t boat much).
• Running dry for even 20–30 seconds can damage it.
• Sand, debris, and sitting all winter can cause the fins to crack or take a “set.”
• Overheating once can lead to warped heads or serious engine damage.

Warning signs:
• Weak or no tell-tale stream
• Engine temp climbing
• Steam from exhaust
• Alarm sounding

Preventive maintenance is always cheaper than repairs. If you’re not sure when yours was last changed, that’s your sign.

Don’t wait until you’re getting towed back to the ramp.

Boat Trailer Maintenance: The Part Everyone ForgetsYou can have a perfectly running boat… and still end up stranded on t...
02/27/2026

Boat Trailer Maintenance: The Part Everyone Forgets

You can have a perfectly running boat… and still end up stranded on the side of the highway.

Your trailer works just as hard as your engine. Saltwater, long sits between trips, heavy loads, and highway miles all take a toll.

Here’s what needs regular attention:

• Wheel bearings – If they’re not greased and inspected, they overheat and fail fast.
• Brakes – Rusted or sticking trailer brakes are common in coastal areas.
• Lights & wiring – Corrosion causes signal failures at the worst time.
• Tires – Dry rot happens long before tread wears out.
• Bunks & rollers – Worn supports damage hulls.

Most trailer failures don’t happen at the ramp. They happen at 60 mph.

If you haven’t had your trailer checked recently, now is the time. A simple inspection costs far less than roadside repairs, damaged boats, or missed weekends on the water.

Dixon Marine works on trailers too.
Get your boat and trailer water-ready before the season hits full swing.








Corrosion: The Silent Killer of Coastal BoatsIf you boat in eastern North Carolina, corrosion isn’t optional — it’s happ...
02/26/2026

Corrosion: The Silent Killer of Coastal Boats

If you boat in eastern North Carolina, corrosion isn’t optional — it’s happening whether you see it or not.

Saltwater and even salt air start attacking your boat the second you leave the dock. Electrical connections corrode. Battery terminals weaken. Steering components seize. Bolts freeze in place. Lower units pit. Grounds fail. And most owners don’t notice until something expensive breaks.

Here’s what most people get wrong:

• “It’s stored on a lift, so it’s fine.”
Salt air alone can corrode metal components.

• “I flushed the motor.”
Flushing helps the cooling system — it does nothing for exposed electrical, brackets, or hardware.

• “It looks clean.”
Corrosion often starts inside connections and under insulation where you can’t see it.

Unchecked corrosion leads to:
– Electrical failures
– Starting problems
– Overheating
– Steering issues
– Costly part replacement

The fix isn’t complicated — but it requires inspection, cleaning, proper protectants, and sometimes sacrificial anode replacement.

Preventative maintenance costs a fraction of what reactive repair does.

Before the season gets busy, get your boat inspected and protected. Corrosion doesn’t wait — and neither should you.








Boat acting up? Don’t wait until it leaves you stranded.If your engine is smoking, overheating, losing power, hard to st...
02/26/2026

Boat acting up? Don’t wait until it leaves you stranded.

If your engine is smoking, overheating, losing power, hard to start, or just not running like it should — that’s your warning sign. Small issues turn into expensive failures fast when they’re ignored.

We handle diagnostics the right way — fuel system checks, compression testing, cooling system inspection, electrical troubleshooting, lower unit service — so you’re not guessing and throwing parts at a problem.

Whether you need preseason service or major repair, get it handled before the busy season hits.

đź“ž 919-738-4178
Call or Text to schedule.

Smoke at the ramp. Hard starting. Rough idle. Overheating alarms. These aren’t “minor issues.” They’re early warnings.Mo...
02/26/2026

Smoke at the ramp. Hard starting. Rough idle. Overheating alarms. These aren’t “minor issues.” They’re early warnings.

Most major marine repairs start as small, ignored symptoms —
contaminated fuel, clogged filters, weak impellers, corroded wiring, low compression, or neglected lower units. The longer you run it “hoping it clears up,” the more expensive it becomes.

If your engine is smoking excessively, losing power, stalling under load, running hot, or just doesn’t feel right , stop guessing. Proper diagnostics matter. That means fuel pressure testing, compression checks, electrical inspection, cooling system verification, and making sure your lower unit isn’t hiding water intrusion.

Catching problems early saves money. Waiting usually multiplies the bill.

If you’re in eastern North Carolina and something feels off, bring it in before it leaves you stranded.

đź“ž 919-738-4178 (Call or Text)

“It ran fine when I parked it” isn’t a maintenance plan.Boats wear out sitting still. Ethanol fuel absorbs moisture, rub...
02/25/2026

“It ran fine when I parked it” isn’t a maintenance plan.

Boats wear out sitting still. Ethanol fuel absorbs moisture, rubber parts dry and crack, batteries lose charge, and corrosion quietly attacks electrical connections. The first perfect-weather day is when those hidden problems show up — usually at the ramp.

Check your fuel quality, inspect fuel lines and seals, verify strong cooling water flow, test batteries, look over wiring, and don’t forget the trailer — tires, bearings, and lights fail more often than engines.

If you’re in eastern North Carolina, schedule a preseason checkup with Dixon Marine in Newport and make sure your boat is truly ready for the season.

đź“ž 919-738-4178 (Call or Text)

Boat season is coming fast — and the worst time to find a problem is at the ramp.Before launch day, smart boat owners ha...
02/24/2026

Boat season is coming fast — and the worst time to find a problem is at the ramp.

Before launch day, smart boat owners handle the basics:

Change engine oil and gear l**e. Replace fuel filters. Inspect fuel lines for wear. Check spark plugs and battery health. Make sure your prop shaft is clear of fishing line.

Verify strong water flow from the cooling system and replace the impeller if it’s due. One weak stream can turn into major engine damage.

Inspect wiring for corrosion, confirm bilge pump operation, and test lights and electronics.

Check the hull for cracks or loose fittings. Grease trailer bearings, inspect tires for dry rot, test brakes, and make sure trailer lights work.

Confirm life jackets, fire extinguishers, and required safety equipment are ready to go.

If you’d rather have a professional give it a full once-over, bring your boat to Dixon Marine in Newport for a preseason checkup and get water-ready before the rush hits.

Take care of it now — enjoy the season later

Address

4534 Highway 24
Bogue, NC
28570

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12527642499

Website

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