(Newswire.net — September 12, 2021) — Whether you own a cutter, yawl, sloop, or schooner-rigged sailboat, you must take great care of it to ensure effectiveness and longevity. Simply waiting for annual servicing is not enough. If you want to avoid unexpected incidents while sailing, you must do some things to keep your boat in mint condition.
1- Check Your Engine Regularly
If you have been sailing for some time now, you have probably seen some sailors break down in the middle of the sea or ocean due to sudden engine failures. In most cases, such an incident can be prevented before things get out of hand.
All you have to do is regularly inspect your engine to avoid being towed back to the mainland. When inspecting your engine, start by checking the basics like the oil and other moving parts.
It is also wise to do an oil change after every 80 to 100 running hours. But before you do that, make sure to check the manual to find out how often you should do an oil change. Also, check for signs of wear and tear on the hoses and lines.
Remember to lubricate all moving parts using an anti-corrosive lubricant.
2- Keep the Hull in its Perfect Condition
The hull is an important part of your sailboat, and it prevents the boat from sinking when sailing. As such, you should make sure that it is always in perfect condition before using your sailboat.
Cleaning it will improve its performance on the water. Besides, a clean hull is a sight to behold. Of course, the type of hull on your boat will determine how best to clean it. For example, it is advisable to hose your boat with polish and wax if it has a fiberglass hull.
You can hose it twice a year, preferably once before storing your boat and once during spring. Also, inspect the hull for signs of wear and tear throughout the year. It will be easier to deal with issues before they get out of hand.
3- Routine Plumbing and Electrical Maintenance
Unfortunately, your sailboat’s battery will wear out over time even when it is not in use. The battery works hard to keep the electrical components working and starts the engine. Due to this, regular entropy occurs, leading to leaks and power drains.
If you fail to deal with these issues early on, the boat will likely break down in the middle of the sea or ocean. That is why you should inspect the battery more than once every year and during the boating season to ensure that your batteries are in perfect condition.
You can use a digital multimeter to check the charge levels before heading out. Also, check for signs of corrosion and use a wire brush to clean the corroded areas.
Similarly, make sure to maintain all the plumbing fixtures on your sailboat to keep them running perfectly.
4- Use Genuine Sailboat Parts and Accessories
If you need to replace malfunctioning parts and accessories, it is wise to find a company that specializes in marine parts and accessories with a comprehensive warranty. Such parts and accessories will enhance the performance and longevity of your sailboat.