Maintenance Help

[Gounge]

Hi Guys,

I own an Orkney coastliner 14ft fishing boat on a snipe trailer. Ive only had it since May last year and want to make sure I keep it well maintained so a few questions for you seasoned pros please:

1. The trailer goes in and out of the sea on launching, it is showing minor signs of rust. Is there something I can paint the trailer with before the season to help waterproof it? I am going to use white grease for the wheel bearings but any other suggestions greatly appreciated.

2. There is a small storage compartment at the front made from ply wood and also the sea at the front has some ply on it which is now beginning to warp and peel. Is there something plastic/PVC that I can replace these with to make them more weather resistant in the long run?

3. The fuel has been sat in the tank since last used in October and the engine was last run through in early December- should I replace this fuel or will it be ok to run the engine through with?

Thanks in advance for your help guys!

Dave

 

[Bouba]

My last trailer had hose connections in the hubs so it can be easily flushed with fresh water. There are waterproof hub bearings which are worth fitting. Don't launch straight after a long high speed trip, the sudden cooling of bearings is bad. Wash trailer with fresh water as soon as possible after launching. Galvanized paint in a spray can is best for touch up. If your trailer has bunks instead of rollers get them wet before launch and before recovery (usually by backing into the water quickly so a bow wave that will wet the bunks)
Welcome to the forum

 

[rafiki_]

There is no good outcome for a trailer launched into sea water regularly. It is going to rot. Starting with the brakes. You need to regularly strip the brakes and repair, and regularly derust everything and repaint. It will still rot, but will take longer.

Easiest thing with your rotting ply is replace with new, and regularly varnish, at least once a season. Make sure you thoroughly rinse the boat and trailer every time it sees sea water. You should also run the outboard using muffs with freshwater too.