Winter Maintenance
When thoughts turn to winter maintenance and servicing, correct preparation will ensure a successful boating season the following year. Some considerations to bear in mind:
Hull Condition
If your boat is out of the water, this is the time to check and repair any hull damage, look out for scratches, blisters and abrasions to the hull. Check transducers and exterior surfaces of through-hull fittings (Sometimes referred to as Thru-Hull).
Ensure the engine sea strainer is clean, free of corrosion, and secure. Once hull maintenance is complete, touch-up or apply a new coat of anti-foul paint as needed. Replace the anodes, which are inexpensive and prevent costly damage from corrosion and electrolysis. Inspect the condition of the vessel’s shaft, cutlass bearing, supporting struts and propeller. Check the swim platform and boarding ladder.
Catching issues early will make the task at hand much simpler and less costly.
Vessel Interior
Inspect the condition of through-hull fittings (sometimes referred to as Thru-Hull), ensure seacocks (valves) operate freely, and check the flexible hoses and clips. A hose showing small signs of cracks, is not good news. Replace it. Better to be safe, than sorry. A failed through-hull fitting can cause a major emergency. Look for oil in the bilges. If oil is present, identify it’s source, take appropriate action and fix the leak. Not only is this bad for the environment, it also shows signs that something isn’t right.
Clean the bilges to prevent oil spillage into the waterways and use oil absorbent pads in the engine spaces. Check operation of bilge pumps and switches. Lubricate stuffing boxes and rudder logs, and replace gland packing if required. Your boat should be equipped with a good water separating filter that can reduce fuel problems. Drain any water present in the filter and check the condition of all flexible fuel lines.
Toilet
Fill the toilet bowl with water and check for leaks. If present, check that the holding tank has pumped out and re-charge with chemical. This would also be a good time to fit a deodoriser and holding tank charcoal filter. If fitted, operate the Y-valve (also known as a Diverter), ensuring its positions are clearly labelled and the handle is positioned correctly while in port (Holding Tank, not overboard).
Emergency Equipment
Spring is a good time to ensure your vessels safety equipment is in good order and that you comply with regulatory requirements. Life jackets and floatation cushions left in boats during the winter can mildew so best stored at home. Check the expiry dates on your visual distress flares. Have your on-board fire extinguishers inspected and if required, ensure any PLB and EPIRB devices are operating as they should and are within date. (PLB- Personal Locator Beacon, EPIRB- Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).
Electrical Systems
It is a good idea to remove batteries from your boat in winter. This is to ensure the battery is charged at home with a good quality charger, clean or replace terminals if required and check cable connections and areas where cables join onto devices to check for any corrosion, making sure all connections are still tight and fit for purpose. A loose cable, damaged/frayed cable, or a connection that has excessive corrosion, can cause issues with your electrical systems, and in some cases, cause fire. Consider using contact sprays, corrosion blockers and di-electric grease to keep connections from corroding and keeping those connections as efficient as possible. Don’t forget to check the condition of the vessel bonding as well! Poor conductivity will make your anodes inert and unable to protect the expensive components on your vessel. Get those Nav Lights switched on. Check the operation of on-board electronics.
Inboard Engines (Please Click HERE for more information on Winterising Engines)
Many of the tasks required to prepare your engine are routine and can be accomplished by individual boaters, although most marinas and boatyards can provided this service. However, if your engine is in the latter stages of it’s life and requires major repair, this maybe an ideal opportunity to consider replacing it. The cost of repair can sometimes exceed the cost of a new engine, without the benefits of modern technology and fuel efficiencies. Among the options to consider are replacing a petrol engine with a safer and more economical diesel engine, or even coming right up-to-date with a Hybrid Engine. A Hybrid Engine incorporates an intercalated generator/drive motor with the diesel engine. The advantages of which allow you to have periods of silent running and quickly re-charge a sizeable battery bank. This is both environmentally friendly and economical to run.
