Sail Boat Maintenance

Its an exciting time for all us sailing enthusiasts. I'm sailing in Chichester Harbour this year and I cant wait for the new season to start.

Before I do though I'll be sure to perform my regular checks and this set below is a starter for me to ensure I'm safe.

1) Check Sea-Cocks for corrosion and function - bungs should be in close proximity.
2) Hose-clips double on any hoses below the waterline, on the engine , on pumps, on through-hulls, change any with suspect worm drives (often these are mild steel in S/S clamps) Replace clips on any hoses that are subject to pressure every year.
3) Check Bilge Pumps - service - clean
4) Check Bilges - limber holes - clean
5) Check Gas Cylinders - hoses (replace every 2 years with certified hose) Check lockers
6) Check Gasoline containers/hoses/compartments
7) Check exhaust system for leaks - include heat exchanger.
8) Check engine bilges for oil leaks
9) Check Prop shaft fittings for wear and leaks
10) Check Engine Mountings

11) Check Rudder Quadrant and shaft bearings
12) Check S/S rigging fittings for signs of hair cracks - especially swaged fittings, don't forget
the bobstay fitting.
13) Check life Lines and Stanchions for strength
14) Check batteries - engine and house - frequent checks on H2O and SG
15) Check for corrosion on electrical switches and MCBs
16) Check Ground Tackle
17) Check Anchor windlass
18) Check sails and stitching
19) Check Dan Buoy and life rings
20) Have Liferaft serviced at scheduled intervals

And here is a selection of books you may want to mull over to help you keep safe at sea.

Product Description
The Boat Maintenance Bible is the most up to date, user-friendly and hands-on manual for boat owners of all skill levels wishing to keep their boat seaworthy and safe. Packed with detailed, exploded diagrams, helpful step-by-step photographs and detailed guidance, it provides a wealth of maintenance expertise and advice to enable anyone to maintain or repair a yacht, motorboat or a dinghy. From hull and deck maintenance, engine repairs, plumbing problems, gas leaks, sail repair, battery and wiring defects, to interior refurbishment, dinghy and trailer repair, hauling out and winterisation, it's all here. The Boat Maintenance Bible will equip everyone with the knowledge required to prevent onboard problems, carry out specialised tasks and tackle both short-term troubleshooting as well as long-term boat care. With this book to hand, you'll never need to call in the experts!

Product Description
"This book will save you money and grief before you can say woven roving."--Sailing

"A comprehensive and accurate work that should benefit almost any owner of a fiberglass boat."--SAIL

"This book will prove a valuable addition to the library of any boat builder or owner who is seriously interested in doing his own repairs, as well as intercepting minor problems before they become major projects."--Boatbuilder

Are there hairline cracks in your boat's deck or topsides gelcoat? Have her color and luster faded over the years? Does she have deck leaks? Has she been holed? Is her hull oilcanning in a sea? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, this book is for you. This is the definitive guide for fiberglass boat repair and beautification, covering not just cosmetic dings and scratches, but also major repairs of structural damage to hull and decks. It will show you how to:

- Replace deteriorated gelcoat, or repair the flaws in an existing gelcoat and recoat it with polyurethane or marine alkyd enamel paint;
- Strengthen a weak and overly flexible hull or deck;
- Tab in loose hull liners and joinerwork;
- Make templates from the good side of a hull to reshape large shattered or missing areas on the other side;
- Repair or replace water-saturated deck cores;
- Repair keels, rudders, and centerboards;
- Rebed and refasten underwater and on-deck hardware;
- Rebed, refasten, and strengthen hull-to-deck joints;
- Fix broken hatches, and make new ones when necessary;
- Treat the symptoms and causes of overstressed hulls.

That beautiful craft swinging at anchor or nestled dockside, her topsides reflecting water and sky like a polished mirror, could be yours. Here's how.

Product Description
Colour photo–sequences and clear text show even a ham–fisted beginner how to fix their boat.
The two aims of this book are preventing problems and curing them when they do happen (even at sea). This is the best–illustrated book ever produced on maintenance and Manley has spent over a year photographing each stage of each topic. These include:

Engine
Stern Gear
Water System
Gas System
Heads
Electrical System
Fuel System
Steering
Winches
Fibreglass
Deck Hardware
Leaks
Inflatable dinghy
Tools