Boat Maintenance for Dummies/Newbies

[dedwards]

As I am building towards owning my first boat, I have been trying to work out what needs to be done to a boat and how often in order to keep it ship shape.
So far I have worked out the following:
Antifoul annually
replace sails 5 yearly
replace rigging 10 yearly
osmosis when feel like
engine repair as necessary

am I far from the mark or have I missed anything? I could really do with a haynes manual on the subject...

 

[Lakesailor]

Antifouling that often seems wasteful and you should be able to get a good 10 15 years out of some sails.
Rigging only when bits of wire jump out and get you and Osmosis is a non-event so can be ignored.
I'd go along with repairing the motor when it needs it.

I think you've based your assumptions on being very spick and span and not really entering into the spirit of make-do-and-mend.

Hope that's of help

 

[Evadne]

You missed out the "Everything else that needs repairing", "Implementing the good ideas I had last season" and the "Unexpected disaster" categories.

Most of my sails are 10-20 years old, now, and the spinnaker is original to the boat (1963), so unless you're racing new sails every 5 years is rather pessimistic. Osmosis is once every 20-30 years.

I've heard that a good rule of thumb is that maintencance is 10% of the boat's value per year. My 29-footer is valued at around the £10k-£12k mark, and costs about £1.5k in boatyard/mooring fees and maybe £500-£1k in everything else, depending on the problem I'm trying to fix in any given year. Plus 2-10 weekends of my time each spring.

The short answer is that, like looking after a good woman, if you need need to ask the price then either you can't afford her in the first place or you don't love her enough to just pay up and worry about it later. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hope this helps.

 

[cliff]

If racing change sails every year or two
If cruising sail will last 10+ years
Anodes changed at least every year
Change running rigging every 5 years or less
Replace fenders every couple of years
New sail cover, spray hood and dodgers about every 5 years or so
Service roller furling unit for foresail every year
Brightwork re-treat every year or so
Water tank sterilise every season
Stern gland every 3~5 years
engine mountings every 3~5 years
Fuel and oil filters every 50~150 hours or at least every season
Broken bit as and when
Service winches and rope clutches and deck organisers every season at least
Clean Mast head bulb and fitting every season
Polish hull every season
Wash topsides every week or so - wax and polish every season
clean bilges at least once every season
Service windlass every season
and so on 'til you wish you never bought a boat /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I'm sure others can add more to the "needs done" list

Oops - forgot servicing the OB - every season
repair the tender - frequently
Revarnish the cabin sole every 2 years or so
Repair the electrics - almost every time you go on board until you have renewed it all, then maybe only twice a season or so.
Ongoing modifications and additions

Somewhere amongst that lot one tries to find time to actually sail her.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[H4B]

yeah all of that but lets not put the poor chap off. try to buy a good one and look after it. Have lots of fun.

 

[Salty John]

You can simulate boat ownership very easily by standing under a cold shower while tearing up £10 notes. Actually, that 10% of the boat value per year figure is probably close. Have fun, nothing beats pottering around on your own boat.

 

[Thistle]

Remember that "anti-foul annually" probably requires "crane out / in annually" as well unless you've got access to a drying out berth and can do everything between tides. Remember too costs like mooring / marina and insurance.

Re 10% of boat's value: that's on your valuation, not what insurers might pay for a total loss /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

 

[Wayward_Son]

You will always find one system or annoying problem that you will address with 'I'll fix that next time I pull out', till it becomes such an idiosynchrosy you attatch to the boat you'll miss it when it is fixed, like beating a competitive nemesis.

 

[William_H]

Hi Lakesailer SS rigging will loet go without the strands popping out individually. Don't rely on that sign although sometimes you will see it without seeing total faillure. I would repllace sidestays every 15 yearw max.

Re the intial post. boat ownership is not a thing you carefully calculate. Maintenance is not the biggest problem. The biggest problem for most people is simply finding or making the time to use the boat often enough to justify the costs. The only way you will find that is to buy a boat. Certainly the smaller it is the cheaper it is to keep and maintain except that if you go too small you may find it not comfortable enough to want to spend time on it. Much of the maintenance can be a pleasure in it self, regards and good luck olewill

 

[Lakesailor]

Agree with you there olewill.
Cheap is best. If you can buy a little boat for cash and moor it conveniently and inexpensively, you'll get a lot more from your time on board.
In addition. when you can't make the time to get out you'll not be mithering (Yorkshire word alert!) about the money it's costing you not to use your boat.
It might mean a bit more maintenance, but being small and probably not immaculate means that work you do is not bank-breaking or over-demanding.

 

[aitchw]

In total agreement with you, LakeSailor.

 

[Heckler]

Hmm
very pedantic:

If racing change sails every year or two: race in the bene cup every year and mine are still original from 95.

If cruising sail will last 10+ years: see above.

Anodes changed at least every year: if they are worn out, my main one lasts 2 years.

Change running rigging every 5 years or less: if worn.

Replace fenders every couple of years: still on 4 of my originals from 95.

New sail cover, spray hood and dodgers about every 5 years or so: still on originals from 95.

Service roller furling unit for foresail every year: service? what exactly do you do?

Brightwork re-treat every year or so: define bright work and retreat.

Water tank sterilise every season: i put a slosh of milton in every couple of fills.

Stern gland every 3~5 years: if you use a volvo seal they recommend 7 yrs and change.

engine mountings every 3~5 years: still on originals from 95.

Fuel and oil filters every 50~150 hours or at least every season: change before you liftout.

Broken bit as and when: common sense.

Service winches and rope clutches and deck organisers every season at least: define service.

Clean Mast head bulb and fitting every season: why and how do you get to it?

Polish hull every season: common sense.

Wash topsides every week or so - wax and polish every season: i do mine several times a season.

clean bilges at least once every season: why? a modern boat doesnt leak and doesnt have liquid in.

Service windlass every season: define service, the majority arent serviceable.

and so on 'til you wish you never bought a boat

I'm sure others can add more to the "needs done" list

Oops - forgot servicing the OB - every season: define service.

repair the tender - frequently: done mine once in 2 years.

Revarnish the cabin sole every 2 years or so: dont have exterior varnish on modern boats.

Repair the electrics - almost every time you go on board until you have renewed it all, then maybe only twice a season or so: havent had to repair anything on my modern boat only done mods.
Ongoing modifications and additions
Stu

 

[cliff]

Hmm
very pedantic: <span style="color:red">Not pedantic at all, just 40+ years of practical experience with boats</span>

If racing change sails every year or two: race in the bene cup every year and mine are still original from 95. <span style="color:red">One race a year does not make a racer! Perhaps I should have been specific and said "seriously racing" </span>

If cruising sail will last 10+ years: see above. <span style="color:red">Why? What is the point?</span>

Anodes changed at least every year: if they are worn out, my main one lasts 2 years. <span style="color:red">Lucky you! There again if you lift out for 6 months a year then they will last longer.</span>

Change running rigging every 5 years or less: if worn. <span style="color:red">Mine usually is as is that of many of my sailing acquaintances, mind you, upwards of 150 days a year sailing in all weathers does take its toll on a boat - all comes down to how much sailing one actually does, but that is common sense)</span>

Replace fenders every couple of years: still on 4 of my originals from 95. <span style="color:red">Again, aren't you the lucky one then - I go through a couple every year either loosing them or bursting them</span>

New sail cover, spray hood and dodgers about every 5 years or so: still on originals from 95. <span style="color:red">Again, Lucky you!</span>

Service roller furling unit for foresail every year: service? what exactly do you do? <span style="color:red">I suggest you acquire a copy of the servicing instructions relevant to your particular furling unit to find out what you should have been doing all these years</span>

Brightwork re-treat every year or so: define bright work and retreat. <span style="color:red">Exterior woodwork, re-oil or re varnish or re-coat with what ever finish was used if needed</span>

Water tank sterilize every season: i put a slosh of milton in every couple of fills.<span style="color:red">If that suits you, fair enough, personally I prefer the taste of a good malt to that of milton</span>

Stern gland every 3~5 years: if you use a volvo seal they recommend 7 yrs and change. <span style="color:red">Not everyone fits Volvo seals!</span>

engine mountings every 3~5 years: still on originals from 95. <span style="color:red">Yet again, Lucky you, I've just had one go a bit soft and dosey (technical term) and one start to peel away from the steel plate so all 4 will be changed - not too bad really considering they were last changed 6 years ago </span>

Fuel and oil filters every 50~150 hours or at least every season: change before you liftout. <span style="color:red">If you do not exceed the service hours on the engine fair enough do it at the end of the season although for many there is no "end of season lift out" just a quick lift or dry-out against a wall to change anodes and anti-foul. Some folk sail all year round</span>

Broken bit as and when: common sense. <span style="color:red">Glad you agree</span>

Service winches and rope clutches and deck organisers every season at least: define service. <span style="color:red">Again I suggest you acquire the relevant service instructions for your particular pieces of equipment</span>

Clean Mast head bulb and fitting every season: why and how do you get to it? <span style="color:red">Connections tend to corrode and when it gets bad enough the little masthead light does not work. Now as I sail quite a bit at night I like to have my navigation lights in working order - helps other boats see me! as for how, well one goes up the mast (bosun's chair or a pair of ascenders) to the top and opens the light fitting </span>

Polish hull every season: common sense. <span style="color:red">That is twice you have agreed - are you feeling O.K.? </span>

Wash topsides every week or so - wax and polish every season: i do mine several times a season. <span style="color:red">Sad - you really should be out sailing more rather than waxing and polishing your topsides so often</span>

clean bilges at least once every season: why? a modern boat doesnt leak and doesnt have liquid in. <span style="color:red">So you have no condensation or damp in your boat?</span>

Service windlass every season: define service, the majority arent serviceable.<span style="color:red">Well that is a new one on me - every anchor windlass I've looked at required servicing on a regular basis. I have not come across one that was "sealed for life" and maintenance free. I have come across many siezed ones where their owners did not bother, or did not know how to, service them. I would suggest if you have a windlass you get the manual out and have a read through it for servicing/maintenance instructions.</span>

and so on 'til you wish you never bought a boat

I'm sure others can add more to the "needs done" list

Oops - forgot servicing the OB - every season: define service. <span style="color:red">Now you really are trying to take the pi$$. Read the manual that came with the OB. Some manuals even have pictures and diagrams of how to service the OB - just for those that have problems with the written instructions </span>

repair the tender - frequently: done mine once in 2 years. <span style="color:red">Relatively low use => relatively low repairs. Running them up on rocky shores does tend to damage the bottom as hitting barnacles on harbour walls tends to lead to pin holes in the tubes </span>

Re-varnish the cabin sole every 2 years or so: dont have exterior varnish on modern boats. <span style="color:red">Cabin sole > internal floor not exterior. Granted the modern cheap plastic boat does not generally have nice wooden sole (floor) in the cabins but many folk do have such floors and they do need looking after, how often depends on how much, or how little, use they get.</span>

Repair the electrics - almost every time you go on board until you have renewed it all, then maybe only twice a season or so: havent had to repair anything on my modern boat only done mods. <span style="color:red">Just wait a year or two until all the nice plain copper wiring starts to corrode. Unfortunately the modern plastic boats do not normally have tinned copper wiring so corrosion is a certainty with all the problems it brings.</span>

Ongoing modifications and additions <span style="color:red">what? no puerile comments?</span>
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[pvb]

The reality is...

The reality is that you can do everything according to tradition, or you can wait in many cases until jobs really need doing. One very important aspect of boat maintenance is to learn how to do as much as possible yourself - this will give you much more confidence and self-sufficiency in tackling problems which might arise in everyday sailing. And, doing it yourself is much more economical.

As you've seen with the replies so far, there are two extremes to the approach to maintenance. If you approach maintenance sensibly and do most of it yourself, boat ownership can be relatively economical.

Many people only replace sails when they're really worn out (and then they keep the old sails on board too!). Rigging can last 15 years or more easily, but you need to check it regularly.

Engine maintenance is very straightforward on most sailboats. Other than regular oil & filter changes, there isn't much to do on a small diesel, and most of it is DIY. (Injectors might need professional servicing every 5 years or so). Learn about your engine; there are diesel maintenance courses you could go on which will remove the mystique.

Don't be afraid to challenge convention. If your boat is marina-based, you don't necessarily need to antifoul it every year, it'll last 2 years as long as you use good quality antifouling and put plenty on (brush application is better than roller). And you don't necessarily need to take it out of the water every winter, boats can stay in the water quite safely in most marinas over the winter (and this also avoids the need to winterise the engine). Many marinas offer a cut-price lift out in summer - this helps to free up berths for paying visitors!. A cheap lift-out every other summer for a few days will let you antifoul while the weather's good, and is also the ideal time to clean and polish the hull. And you'll save hundreds of pounds in lift-out fees.

Adopt a low-maintenance approach. If your boat has teak trim, leave it untreated. Once you start oiling or varnishing it, you're just making more work for yourself.

Above all, remember the aim is to enjoy using the boat, not to spend every weekend working on it.