Boat Care & Maintenance
Whatever kind of boat purchased new or pre-owned, understanding that your boat does require care and maintenance is prerequisite. Even the most basic boat maintenance will extend the life of your boat and avoid the need for costly repairs. Boat ownership is an expensive hobby, as well as the obvious costs such as registration, taxes and insurance. The boat owner will have to fund berthing and maintenance fees, which depending on the size of the boat will cost thousands of euros per annum.
Know Your Boat
Getting to know your boat and how to care for her is vitally important. Generally, manufacturers make a concerted effort to ensure their customers posses the necessary information for correct and safe boat maintenance. Obtain the 'owner's manual' and observe the manufacturer's recommendations. If you personally are not going to undertake the necessary maintenance regime, ensure that this duty is entrusted to a recognized and competent boat maintenance company, preferably authorized by the manufacturer. This will ensure that vital routines are completed and you have access to any required spare parts.
Boat Cleaning
Perhaps the simplest, most tedious and probably the most essential duty to ensure that your boat's best possible appearance is regular cleaning. If your boat is berthed in sea water it is in a highly corrosive environment and constantly be-sieged by the elements. Salt water and the sun's rays form a powerful combination which will quickly deteriorate your boats appearance.
Boat covers where appropriate can save unnecessary labour and remove the risk of easily avoidable damage from falling leaves, dirt and bird droppings. Covers will also avoid fading of upholstery, sun-cushions and carpets as well as deterioration of exposed parts such as hoses, by the sun's ultra violet rays.
Regular cleaning and waxing will help maintain the pristine look of your boat. A large percentage of gull droppings can be avoided by using one of the many gull deterrent devices available.
Hull Maintenance
From the first moment your boat enters the water it becomes a target for barnacles, algae and other marine life. Attachment of these organisms to the under side of the boat will at a minimum lead to continued degradation of performance. Moreover, the corrosive nature of sea water can and will, if preventative measures are not undertaken, lead to extensive damage to propellers and also any outboard propulsion mechanism; necessitating costly and largely avoidable repair costs.
In the short term, regular use of the boat can help remove some of the organic material. If you are not using the boat regularly but, just occasionally, taking the boat out once a month and maintaining top speed for a short interval (around 30 mins) will also assist in removing collected organic material.
There is no substitute however for regular hull inspection and removing the boat completely from the water and storing during the periods it is not being used. Regular hull cleaning and the use of anti-fouling paint is really essential to the longevity of the boat.
During this process any manufacturer recommendations should be followed especially with regard the the propulsion units. Ensure that corroded anodes*(see below) are replaced. Depleted anodes can and will if ignored, lead to extensive damage to the propulsion system.
*Anodes ( usually fabricated from or include zinc or magnesium) provide an essential degree of protection to metal parts in sea water. Contrary to popular belief pure water is a very poor electrical conductor. Sea water however, because it contains many dissolved salts ( the principal is sodium chloride ie common salt) forms an electrolyte which is highly conductive. This highly conductive medium allows various metals to 'dissolve', their ions becoming highly mobile. This degree of mobility between metals placed in an electrolyte is determined by their atomic structure and represented by the Galvanic series. The least 'noble' elements being subject to the highest rate of sea water corrosion. In essence the various metal parts of the outboard propulsion system act as a battery. The anodes protect the essential parts by depleting or corroding first in preference to the other metal drive components.
Bilge Pumps
Nothing will cause more irreparable damage to a boat than it sinking. Non-functioning bilge pumps will produce that result in not properly maintained and are required. Ensuring the battery is in good condition and fully charged should the bilge pumps be required for an extended period of time.
Electrical Systems and Components
Acknowledging the highly corrosive environment in which a boat exists, all electrical connections and components are vulnerable to severe corrosion, possibly leading to failure when most required.
Keep electrical components dry and electrical fittings can be protected with a water-repellent, non-conductive grease or corrosion inhibitor.
Boat Motor Maintenance
Regulary check everything from your fuel tanks to clamps on your fuel line for rust, damage or corrosion. Also oil both for correct levels as well as proper filtration and cleanliness and engine’s cooling system to make sure it’s functioning correctly.
Mooring
Improper mooring can quickly cause damage from bumps and scrapes to something more serious.
So, make sure lines are securely fastened in place, neatly coiled, and do not show signs of breakage or wear. Ensure that fenders are in place and remain so.
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list only the essential aspects of boat maintenance.