Spring Maintenance Routines
Owning a boat means caring for a boat. The most important time for boat care is during the Spring Maintenance Routine. There is never a good reason to skimp on maintenance, especially at the beginning of the boating season. We have outlined the most important steps for starting your routine.
- Compound and polish hull and superstructure - see details on “making your boat shine“
- Exterior Varnish - see details on “The icing on the cake“
- Prep and paint bottom, change zincs
- Change engine and generator zincs
- Examine underwater gear, repack or adjust stuffing boxes
- Wash canvas, inspect and lube snaps
- Service dinghy engine and inspect dinghy
- Check all bulbs, replace as necessary
- Check and certify extinguishers
- Inspect bilge pumps and float switches
- Service spurs
- Replace sight tube hoses (if needed), inspect fuel system
- Check wiper blades and motors
- Clean window tracks and windows, Apply rain-x
Other items that need attention, maybe not on an annual basis, but frequently none-the-less are:
- Propeller reconditioning
- Air Conditioning / Refrigeration testing
- Teak Deck maintenance
- Gelcoat repairs
- Shaft bearing inspections
Most of the items above can be done by our yard when we commission your boat, if you request a full-service commissioning. Also, once a year you should request a full engine-room check by one of our trained mechanics. Boating is only truly fun when it is trouble-free.
Also see: Estimating Maintenance Costs
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