PREPARE YOUR BOAT FOR THE NEW SEASON

The arrival of spring is the best time to prepare our boat for the new summer season in order to prevent future unwanted unforeseen events.

Vessels that are not in use tend to deteriorate faster than those that are kept in motion.

In winter, parts such as the hull, the engine, the battery or the interior of the boat have been exposed to different conditions than usual, such as temperature or rust, so regardless of whether our boat has spent the winter in the water or in a dry marina, there are certain aspects that we should check.

The maintenance of the boat as a preventive measure is an action that we must perform annually. In a previous post of the Nautic Center Mallorca Blog we already saw how to prepare your boat for wintering, so after the winter months, now is the time to prepare your boat and leave it in perfect conditions to enjoy the new season.

10 Basic boat components YOU MUST check:

1) ENGINES

It is necessary to carry out the periodical revisions stipulated by the manufacturer, replacing the necessary elements for the correct operation. We will check the belts, turbines, pre-filters and engine filters. In some cases, this step is done when winterizing the boat.

2) BATTERIES

Check the state of the batteries together with the terminals and electrical wiring.

3) ANODES

The location of the boat can affect the state of the anodes, so the revision and substitution of the same ones must be done annually since, thanks to it, we will lengthen the life of our boat.

4) ANCHOR WINDLASS

It is essential to carry out inspections of the relay box together with the connections and the circuit breaker.

5) ANTIFOULING

It is advisable to carry out a cleaning of the hull and to tint it. In this way we will be able to observe the state of the hull, it is advisable to apply a primer and then the patent, always respecting the drying times between coats of each manufacturer.

Depending on the type of boat we will be able to opt for hard matrix, white and silicone based patents. Thanks to the optimal state of the patent we will get less friction, thus optimizing the consumption of the boat.

6) RUDDERS, SHAFTS AND PROPELLERS

We should check the general condition of the propulsion line, paying close attention to the propeller shaft bushings next to the propellers.

7) BOTTOM TAPS

It is essential to carry out a visual inspection when the boat is out of the water to check the condition of the bottom taps as galvanic currents may be affecting them. In addition to the visual inspection, we must operate them to avoid the possible incrustation of microorganisms.

8) WOOD

Wood care is essential. We recommend a visual inspection to control possible cracks and a subsequent cleaning with non-abrasive products and soft brushes, always sweeping the brush perpendicular to the grain.

In case of observing dry wood for having endured the winter outdoors, we recommend a treatment with suitable oils.

9) RESCUE EQUIPMENT

Verify that all lifesaving equipment is in accordance with our navigation zone and, above all, check the expiration date.

10) DOCUMENTATION

Check that all documents related to the boat are on board, in order and up to date.