The navigation of the pleasure fleet has already begun, but suddenly there are still those owners who did not launch their boats into the water. Then this information can be useful to them – if not this year, then next. And even if you do not start preparing the boat yourself, it will help you with ordering and controlling work, as well as invoices for their implementation.
Daylight hours are at their maximum, and many boaters are looking forward to the upcoming short and long voyages. So that the boat does not fail during the navigation period, it is required to prepare it for life on the water: to put a polish, to check the hull, electrical and mechanics, and other equipment. In general, to do materiel. Of course, working on large boats is different from working on boats with outboards, but I’m sure you can figure out what’s what.
Examining the case
We hope that our readers are experienced shipowners and since autumn they have completed all the necessary steps to wash and repair the bottom, sides and deck. In this case, the amount of work is minimal: remove the protective cover (parking awning) or film, wash the boat outside. If necessary, polish the body and then treat it with a protective compound.
Boats on the water at the pier are ready for the season
If, nevertheless, in the fall, when lifting the boat out of the water, you did not pay attention to the damage to the plastic or cracks in the metal and saw them only now, immediately proceed with the restoration, until the workshops are overloaded with orders. When planning to do this on your own, take the time to learn the technology and practice your ship repair skills.
Check the underbody antifouling and renew the cover if necessary. Pay attention to deck flooring: Rebuild where it has frayed or peeled off. Natural teak may require impregnation (at your discretion), while artificial materials are less capricious to care for. Polish up the gallery.
For service, you will need a high pressure washer (bottom, sides), a polishing machine, sponges, napkins, and boat chemicals. In extreme cases, you can get by with a bucket of water and a brush, but the process will stretch over time.
We wash and polish the body and motor before going out on the water
We test electrics
Return to the place dismantled in autumn and already charged batteries, monitors, and then proceed to check the electrical equipment. Flip the toggle switches, make sure that the instruments, fog horn, parking and navigation lights, cockpit lighting, bilge pumps, aerator pumps are working. Replace burnt out lamps if necessary.
Turn on your chartplotter, depth sounder, walkie-talkie, navigator, autopilot, and radar. Check the trim buttons on the remote control handle (less often on the body) of the outboard motor. After starting the engine (on water), check the presence of charging from the generator.
Special attention – the serviceability of the electrical wiring of the boat
Plug into a shore outlet to test the operation of the inverter and power distribution devices. Check the operation of the pumps of the black and gray water tanks (of course, if any), wipers, fans and solar panels, the underwater lighting of the aft platform (if any), audio and video systems.
Found problems? Arm yourself with a probe, wires, a tester and go in search of lost or inappropriate contact. Alternatively, consult an experienced ship electrician.
We “revive” the engine and propulsion unit
Of course, before winter, you changed all technical fluids (if necessary), sprinkled the engine suspension, checked the steering cables and rods, or checked the hydraulic steering system. If not, change the oils. Special attention to the gearbox. Hopefully there is no water in the hull (although you should have checked this after lifting the boat out of the water).
Make sure the thrusters, transom plates, hydraulic lift (for outboard motor) operate evenly. The actuators should move easily, without jamming and air suction in the end positions. Inspect fuel filters and separators for moisture. Check the “popping” in the manifolds of stationary engines.
If oil was poured into the cylinders during conservation, turn off the ignition by removing the pin, unscrew the candles and turn the crankshaft with a starter. In case of spray conservation, skip this operation.
If the boat is equipped with two controls, check that the controls on each are operational.
We service the engine
We check the propeller, the tightness of the oil seals, and change the oil in the gearbox
The propeller must not be damaged. Tap and file minor nicks on the blades. In case of significant deformation, the screw should be sent for repair or a new one should be installed. In the transom column, inspect the corrugations, at the water cannon – the impeller and the gap between the shell of the water conduit, the grate of the water intake and the moving parts of the reverse mechanism. Visually inspect for external deformation and damage to the Goodrich bearing. Check the integrity of the anodes and, if there is significant corrosion, replace the most pitted pads. While the hull is on land (in the boathouse), it is much easier and cheaper to fix all these problems than at the pier.
It will be useful to drain the sediment from the carburetors and sedimentation tanks by unscrewing the plugs. Refuel the tanks with fresh fuel. Further, having already lowered the boat into the water, you can connect the water and start the power plant. After starting, pay attention to the cooling water coming out of the motor / housing: the pump impellers of the external cooling circuit often dry out during the winter. If the engine does not start, look for the cause and in a difficult situation contact a specialist.
Deck equipment
Inspect the anchor (lift and lift the anchor with a winch), mooring device, chains and ends. Pump up the fenders. Make sure the efficient items are securely fastened. Check the device controls.
Lift the sleigh. Open aerators and lockers. If everything was drained correctly in the fall, there should be no mold, however, airing before laying things is desirable. Inspect spinning rod holders, glasses and downriggers to avoid repairing them the first time you fish.
Expand the awning. Even if the soft inserts remain transparent and the fabric is clean and undamaged, there are likely to be a few clips or zippers that need to be replaced.
We unfold the awning to make sure that the glass is tight and transparent
We will make sure of the reliability of fastening practical things and deck equipment
Next, proceed to the de-mothballing of life support systems. Rinse the containers for drinking and industrial water from alcohol preservatives, poured before frost. Connect the tiles.
In the cockpit, wash the steering wheel clean, ventilate the cabin, dry and vacuum the rugs. Condition the leather and foam cleaner on the fabric. Check hinges, locks, folding mechanisms. Polish the glazing. Marine products for cleaning plastic and glass, cleaning chrome, liquid for synthetic and leather surfaces, napkins, and a vacuum cleaner will come in handy here.
Completion and other checks
After the completion of the preparatory work, check the equipment of the vessel in accordance with the requirements of the State Inspection Service Check the compliance of the side numbers with the rules, update the first aid kit and fire extinguisher, count the life jackets, find the scoop and the Aleksandrov end. Store a liter or more of engine oil and a spare gasoline / diesel canister.
Fuel reserves never hurt
Take a look at the documents: is it time to go through a technical inspection? After all, the fines have increased by an order of magnitude. Renew the sluicing agreement if required.
If you have a trailer boat, take care of servicing your trailer / trailer to get to distant waters without incident. Diagnose backlash in the hubs and overrun brake drive, inspect torsion bars or springs, brake pads, hitch, nose pad liner, tie-down straps and spare wheel. Make sure the electrical connector and taillights are working, the wiring harnesses are intact, and the license plate is secure. Check casters, cradles and winch. Touch up any chipped frame protective coating.
We service hubs, brakes, lodgments and trailer hitch
In addition to the above, inspect fishing tackle, replenish the supply of dishes, cutlery, write down your favorite movies and music on a USB flash drive …
When the work is completed and the boat is ready, all that remains is to go out on the water and get an incomparable pleasure from flying on the water surface under the measured sound of the engine, breathe in fresh river or tart sea air. Happy sailing!
Text
Ilya Ilmarin
Photo
Ilya Ilmarin
Chief Editor
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