Small Jobs Prefer Not to Stay Small
Routine care is mostly observation, cleaning and doing the scheduled work. It is less dramatic than a breakdown. This is one of its better features.
Start with the manual, then make a list.
Use the boat’s and equipment manufacturers’ instructions to build a schedule for your particular vessel. Record dates, engine hours where relevant, observations, parts and completed work.
These notes are an overview, not repair instructions or a complete safety checklist. Fuel smells, electrical heat or smoke, steering faults, structural damage and unexplained water ingress require prompt assessment. Do not depart with an unresolved safety concern. Use a qualified marine professional for work outside your competence; in an emergency, contact the local emergency services or coastguard.
Check the things a good view cannot fix.
Review the forecast, local conditions and passage plan. Confirm suitable fuel and reserves, communications, navigation equipment and required safety equipment. Brief everyone aboard and make sure appropriate lifejackets are available and used as conditions and local rules require.
Inspect the vessel for visible damage, leaks or unusual smells. Check machinery, steering and other systems according to the relevant manuals. Tell a responsible person ashore your plan and expected return.
Put the next outing in a better position.
Secure the boat for the berth and expected conditions. Remove rubbish, dry wet equipment and clean appropriate surfaces with suitable products, following local discharge rules.
Record faults while you still remember them. Check any fitted shore-power or charging arrangements in accordance with their instructions. A written defect list is rather more useful than an intention.
The unglamorous subjects, explained.
Intervals depend on equipment, use, environment and storage. The manufacturer’s schedule and a professional assessment take priority over any generic calendar.
Lines, fenders and deck fittings
Look for chafe, stiffness, damaged strands, loose fittings and contact points that repeatedly wear a line. Check fender placement and whether the mooring arrangement allows for expected water-level changes and movement.
Replace unsuitable or damaged gear with correctly specified equipment. Keep hands and feet clear of loaded lines and pinch points; ask for help with unfamiliar mooring arrangements.
Decks, drains and ordinary cleaning
Remove grit and debris, keep accessible drainage routes clear and use cleaners compatible with the surface. Follow product instructions and marina rules; avoid sending pollutants overboard.
Investigate recurring standing water or a new leak rather than repeatedly drying it up and awarding yourself a maintenance achievement. Do not alter drainage or hull fittings without appropriate expertise.
Engines and fuel systems
Follow the engine manufacturer’s servicing, fluid-checking and flushing instructions where applicable. Record engine hours and report changes in starting, temperature, vibration or exhaust appearance.
Fuel smells or visible leaks require prompt attention. Avoid ignition sources and do not start machinery until the cause has been assessed and made safe. Fuel-system repairs belong with appropriately qualified professionals.
Batteries and electrical equipment
Check accessible equipment for corrosion, loose or damaged components and signs of overheating without touching exposed conductors. Follow the installed battery and charger instructions, including ventilation requirements.
Battery chemistry and installations differ. Do not improvise charging settings, bypass protective devices or attempt unfamiliar electrical work. Shore-power faults and hot or damaged wiring need qualified attention.
Bilges, hoses and water where it should not be
Observe normal bilge conditions so changes are easier to recognise. Check accessible hoses and fittings for obvious deterioration, and test installed pumps and alarms using their manufacturers’ procedures.
A working pump does not explain a leak. Investigate unexplained ingress promptly and get professional assistance where needed. Do not discharge oily or contaminated bilge water; follow local disposal requirements.
Seasonal work and time ashore
Plan inspections, haul-outs and servicing before busy yard periods. Review hull condition, corrosion protection, rigging where fitted and the service dates of safety equipment.
Lay-up, winterisation and recommissioning depend on the vessel and climate. Follow equipment instructions and use competent help. Lifting, antifouling, rig work and pressurised or gas systems can involve specialist hazards and local restrictions.
Keep the record boring.
A date, an observation, the action taken and the next due check will do. The aim is a useful history, not a beautifully written explanation of why the same fault is still there.
Plan for the Upkeep