This maintenance lark...

cardinal_mark

cardinal_mark

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Just got the survey in on the 'intended' and, other than a couple of bigger isssues that need resolving with the vendor (new prop, windlass not working and the like) there's loads of murmering about 'normal servicing' of seacocks, winches etc.

The trouble is, this will be my first forray into ownership and my ignorance of the more practical aspects of boating is all but total.
Is there a decent book anyone could suggest that will give me some steer on the basics of maintenance?

Any suggestions gratefully appreciated - the more basic the better!

Thanks

Mark
 
this is the best one I know -

Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual: How to Maintain, Repair, and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems by Nigel Calder.
 
Went through the same process last year. Sweat tears and lost opportunities to save money. If there was an expensive way of doing it ourselves, we found it!

Local knowledge is invaluable, but make sure of the credentials of the seer before you take it all at face value. Bought various books, the most useful being "the boatowners electrical and engineering guide" (or something like that) Slightly US in its outlook but still very good. Does a good section about various maint jobs through the season.

We tried to do all the jobs at the same time and it always felt like we were getting nowhere! Now we do the jobs that will stop us from sailing first and we do them one at a time. Once the boat was on the water and we were sailing her the other jobs were finished off when the weather was bad.

Don't buy anything until you are absolutely sure that you need it, I got lots of advice about this that and the other that were essential for the boat. Bought them and never really used them.

Huge subject but the one thing that helped more than everything else put together, was this website and the search engine facility. Anon surfing of my embarrasing questions always helped.

But its awsome fun and welcome to the fold!

Fin
 
Thanks guys - had a sneaking supsicion it might be the Calder book. I nearly ordered a copy last week but was scared witless by the title, sounded far too technical!

Thanks again

Mark
 
More general reading

Michael Verney's "Complete guide to yacht care" covers the stuff that Calder does not. Less technical, but deals with things like fenders, covers, polishing, varnish, etc.

The "bible" of varnishing, etc .is Rebecca Wittman's book "Brightwork"

Jeremy Howard-Williams "the care and repair of sails" is good.

For ropework and rigging try Brion Toss.
 
Mark

A good book will help and there's lots of good advice av. on this forum as well.


But also keep in mind that your surveyor will have used the phrase 'normal servicing' as much as he can and you'll need to read between the lines and prioritize a bit.

I'm not saying to ignore all the advice. Just take it steady.

I've learned a great deal over the last months myself.


Enjoy

Jimbouy
 
Mark,

I'm in exactly the same boat, so to speak....

This morning, my friends at Amazon delivered a book,

Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual: How to Maintain, Repair, and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems by Nigel Calder.

At initial glance, it is exactly what I am looking for... comprehensive, yet readable.... I would definitely go for it....
 
Normal maintenance is things that you deal with over a season. It's the surveyor making sure that he's mentioned everything that can go wrong, so he's covered if it does.

If he'd actually found something wrong, he'll have mentioned it and said it needs top be dealt with immediately. The flowers in the vase are wilted. They need to be changed. Such a recommendation could mean you're not insured until you get new flowers...

If your boat's out of the water, make a list of the things you can only do while she's out and get them done first. (seacocks, anodes, antifoul etc.) Do the rest a bit each weekend until you come to the end of the list. Because you'll be constantly adding things to the list, this will be when you sell the boat. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I have been trying to get hold of the Nigel Calder book but everyplace I try tells me it is out of print and it will be June before a new edition is available. Is this True?
 
Mark,

What’s the yacht you intend to get???

Do the entire thru hull work before she goes back in the water. & for the extra pence, if you have old seacocks, throw & get new ones, don’t forget to double clip on the hoses.

IMHO antifoul & paint are not absolutely essential to start with, unless you intend to moor in a river, but do get the hull clean & keep it that way.
However if you can afford it get the best antifoul for you boat. Ask around locally for information on fouling.

Your engine (if you have one) can be your lifeline, so a good service, replacement of filters & the water impeller will help.

Sails... make her go & will also keep you out of trouble.... make sure they are all in reasonable repair and do any small repairs yourself, checking all running rigging, shackles etc. as you go.

Unfortunately the list is really endless but do attempt to do as much as you can, the satisfaction when she goes in the water & you make your first shakedown cruise is definitely worth all the pain & dosh that you will spend.

Good luck, most of the forumites have been there, so the wealth of personal knowledge on here, is worth a thousand books.

poter.
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Calder is great but get things into perspective. In my opinion he is something of a perfectionist and, if you take him by the letter, you will never cast off.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Don't buy anything until you are absolutely sure that you need it


[/ QUOTE ]
Very good advice, except for a few items:
Alternator belt
Water pump belt
Water impeller
Fuel filters
Various bulbs and fuses
Tools to do the job
Plus other odds and sods that I am sure you can think of.
 
Get yer camera out

If you have a digital camera, start photographing everything. It may pay to have a rule in the shot so you can estimate sizes later.

When you are at home trying to source spares, these shots can be invaluable in recognition and scale. People have often sent a shot to this forum asking what is this etc.

The wealth of knowledge has always come up trumps. Often you can judge how much wood, size screws etc. before a wasted trip to the boat.

May come in handy one day if you are trying to describe something to an on line seller, a photograph paints a thousand words.

May even help trace stolen goods or help a claim should the worst ever happen, touching wood.
 
Re: An HR 31...yr joking

Ooofff!
What a yacht! "A nadge over budget?" yer!! I bet you ain't told SWMBO. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

To be honest I am a bit shocked at your surveyors comments a 96 HR should have no major problems, certainly not the hull or the rigging, sails etc., hence really surprised at <a couple of bigger issues that need resolving with the vendor>
What are they? just the prop & windlass?

If there are any real problems - Hull damage, Osmosis (very unlikely) you will need to get a substantial discount, as HR repairs ain't cheap. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Yes seacocks thru hull fittings etc. may need a bit of TLC but not replacing!
& inside you may need to do some polishing BUT that is all, IMHO /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

poter
 
Re: An HR 31...yr joking

No big issues as such - just getting my mind state right for a bit of post survey negotiation! The windlass has packed up - which could be a £5 of £1000 bill, the prop needs replacing because of a failure to replace the annode and that really is about it. That said, reading between the lines of the report - which incidentally was great (quick plug for David Hopkins) - she has been neglected over the winter and I will need to put in a good bit of routine maintenance if we are to have a stress free 1st season.

Oh and your right, what a boat!!! She winked, smiled and I was smitten - subject to survey of course!

Cheers

Mark
 
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