As the Autumn season begins to draw to a close and with the opportunities to go out to sea becoming ever more limited now is a good time to begin considering your yearly general maintenance and repairs that your boat may require to keep her shipshape over winter and ready for next year.
Although it is far from an exhaustive list and every boat will be different below we have prepared a basic to post winter maintenance which covers many of the points we believe are key for a successful winter layup which will help ensure you keep costs and any nasty surprises to a minimum whilst preserving your boats value.
Hull
Below the waterline – The one thing all boats share in common – their hull, although in the modern days of fiberglass boats this area requires somewhat less maintenance than previously it still benefits from some yearly care and attention, if you keep your boat afloat it spends most of its life underwater so its a good idea to both check the general surface for any lumps or early indications of bubbling whilst also carrying out some basic checks on any skin fittings each time the boat is removed from the water, look for any problems with the seals, check for any degradation of plastics.
Anti-foul – A very obvious one, this sacrificial paint which keeps the hull clean and the boat moving quickly should ideally be cleaned and inspected each time the boat is removed from the water, if there are significant areas where the paint has flaked away or if the wildlife isn’t taking the hint its probably time to renew it.
Canopies and Covers – Every year without fail we see covers ripped to shreds by the inevitable high wind winter storms, make sure that they are as secure as possible or if they are at risk then consider removing them. Make sure that they remain waterproof keeping the inside dry but also allow a light flow of air through to help prevent mould and mildew build up whilst the boat is used less.
Sails & Rigging – Another obvious one but again year on year we always find boats which have damaged themselves in the wind where they have loosed themselves and flogged themselves to death, this is an affliction which affects all sailing boats and is usually a problem for the headsail more than the mainsail, if you are not intending to use the boat for an extended period then its probably best to remove the sails to a local sailmakers loft for inspection and cleaning, if you would prefer to leave them aboard then make sure they are secured with an extra line around.
Wash & Polish – A general wash and polish is a great idea for keeping any boat sparkling and ensuring it performs as efficiently as is possible, nobody’s favorite job but well worthwhile carrying out.
Engine & Systems
Following on from the hull the next most important aspect of the boat which nearly all boats share in common is the powerplant. If maintained most engines will happily give years of trouble free operation and reliability, some basic work and checks to carry out.
Service – It goes without saying that its important to service the engine, ideally at an authorized dealer to maintain your warranty where appropriate and at the very least as often as is suggested by the manufacturer.
Fuel system – Inspect the fuel system for any damage to pipes and for the sturdiness of the connections making sure that they will not fail unexpectantly.
Fluid & lubrication – Check all the fluid levels such as oil, power trim reservoirs are filled as appropriate, check all Seacocks are fully operational and lubricate as required. Dont forget to check the condition of your battery here as well paying particular attention to any corrosion of connection to the terminals.
Ancillary Systems – Use this opportunity to check over any other ancillary systems your boat might have – bildge pump, heating units ect.
Drainage holes – Most engine compartments will have reinforced areas which normally have small holes between them to allow water to run freely back to the bilges and out of the boat, take a moment just to check these are clear of debris
Propeller – Check the propeller nuts for tightness and make sure any seals are in good order, have a look at the wheel itself as any dings/cracks could affect performance or risk causing a blade to shear.
On Deck
Wash down – Use a good environmentally friendly cleaner to clean the deck of the boat down, pay particular attention to corners and areas where you might have dragged footwear or fishing rod butts against the GRP.
Polish – Give any metals a good rub down and polish with a high quality metal polish to get it looking its best again and help prevent any corrosion building up.
Inspect deck fixings – Check how secure the fixings are as they can grow loose over time, tighten where needed, check any winch drums work as intended, make sure hinges to compartments are all still working properly.
Anchor Chain & Warp – Take a look at the chain links for signs of damage, check the condition of the rope and replace when it needs to be replaced.
Check fenders – Check these are all fully inflated and not showing any obviously serious damage, check the ropes and replace where required.
Saloon/Cabin
Whether your boat has a large saloon area with separate berths or just a cuddy many of the checks below will apply and be worth carrying out to keep the living areas of your boat in top condition.
Seacocks – Check all the boats seacocks are operational, move freely and show no signs of serious corrosion, if these fittings go wrong you may as well have a hole in the boat so its well worth checking.
General clean and tidy – Always a good idea to spend this point in the year giving her a bit of a clean over and organizing the kit you use or not, if its non-essential and you haven’t used it in the last year then its probably worth thinking about whether it needs to remain aboard.
Heads – Make sure all the pipework is clear, pump the handle a few times to ensure that the system works as intended and all the seals are tight.
Check navigation equipment – Check all navigation equipment, a flickering screen is often a sign of bad earthing so needs to be investigated and equipment such as the VHF should be tested.
Damp – Perhaps a window seal has not proven as reliable as you had thought and has caused damp to get onto some of your cushions, remove these from the interior of the boat and lay them out in the sun to dry, this practice will stop stale & damp smells permeating the cabin area
Safety Equipment
Without doubt the most important checks you can carry out are on the below equipment, you cant call the RAC in the middle of the sea so its really important to check this equipment and make sure it all works in the desired manner. Servicing of safety equipment should be carried out by trained proffesionals only.
Lifejackets – Check the next service date on the lifejacket and if required get it done, these are one of the best life support systems on any boat and should be well looked after. The RNLI is on hand in most communities to help with this.
Fire Extingishuers – Check the service date on these as well, make sure they are the correct ones for the job they are doing and where provided read the pressure gauge to check it is as expected.
Gas/Fire Alarms – Make sure all these are functional, most will have a test function on and are easily checked, many will have a limited lifespan and need occasional changing.
Gas piping date – The gas pipes running from the locker to the cooker and any other gas lines should carry a label showing the date which they need to be replaced, if this date is passed it needs to be changed before use by a trained professional.
Liferaft service – Check the date of the expiry on the top of the life raft casing and look over the seals for signs of obvious damage that may need to be investigated further.
EPIRB – Epirbs need the occasional service to check they are still properly functional, the inspection should be carried out under controlled conditions by professionals to avoid raising a false alarm.
Flares – Check the dates and replace where needed, make sure to dispose of any out of date flares in a proper and safe manner.