For a Smooth Start to the New Yachting Season
The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising and there is only one thing you want to do now: to get out on the water! It is about time to dewinterize your boat and get ready for the upcoming season with a thorough boat service.
In this post, we share helpful tips on all things boat service and reveal what’s important when it comes to boat repairs & more in the spring.
The Comprehensive Guide to Yacht Servicing
Before you can get back to full speed, your yacht needs a health check. Especially for older boats, a thorough inspection is required at the start of the season. But also newer models need some fine-tuning after the winter break, before letting them back into the water. After all, a thorough boat service is the basis for a good boating season for every owner.
Our Merk & Merk professionals have put together a comprehensive guide to spring boat service to get your yacht ready for new adventures. You’ll be enjoying relaxing cruises again in no time.
#1 A look in the manual
Before you start with boat repairs and the like, the first step is to take a look at your yacht’s manual. This will tell you exactly which fluids need to be topped up and replaced.
#2 Inboard and outboard engine maintenance
Also high on the seasonal to-do list when it comes to your annual boat service is engine maintenance. Our experts recommend changing the engine oil and replacing the oil filter. This should be done regardless of the yacht engine’s hours of operation, but at least once every 12 months.
Other important items to check as part of engine maintenance are belts and cables. Additionally, maintenance should always include checking for leaks.
Checking valves, injectors and cleaning heat exchangers also play a major role in engine maintenance. In addition, all the work listed in the official protocol of the engine manufacturer should not be neglected.
Especially for new boats during the warranty period, however, you should make sure that work on the engine is carried out by official sales partners.
Merk&Merk is official partner of Volvo Penta. Feel free to contact our specialists for your next engine maintenance.
This type of check-up should be performed every 200/500/1000 engine hours or after a certain number of years, after the first use of the engine.
Depending on the manufacturer and type, service protocols may differ. For gasoline engines, spark plugs should be kept clean and new for smooth operation.
Owners of boats powered by outboard engines must remember to check their protective housings. Any cracks can cause the engines to be exposed to water or salt.
#3 Check Electronics
The yacht’s pre-season service should include checking the batteries. Be sure to pay attention to the age and condition of the batteries.
Electrical and electronic systems in the boat can be compared to the blood vessels in the human body. That means they are very complex and usually difficult to access. A battery tester can be used to check the rated voltage and currents. If the battery cannot hold a charge, it should be replaced.
#4 Check the Cooling System
When you winterize your yacht, the cooling water is normally drained to prevent freezing damage. After the winter break, be sure to check the hoses for cracks. If there are cracks in the hoses, they must be replaced.
#5 Annual Antifouling Painting of the Hull
One of the most important measures in terms of yacht maintenance is the annual application of an antifouling paint.
Depending on the type of boat, the type of antifouling coating differs. As a rule, sports cruisers require a hard coating, while on leisure yachts, a soft coating of antifouling is applied.
Yacht antifouling is used to protect the hull from aquatic organisms such as seaweed or mollusks. These can attach to the hull and slowly but surely increase fuel consumption. As a boat owner, you must be aware of the importance of boat antifouling, since it represents the greatest maintenance need.
#6 Check Anodes
The anodes of your boat are used to protect the metal pieces on the boat from galvanic corrosion. This is caused by electrical charge in the water flow. Sacrificial anodes live up to their name – because they are literally sacrificed.
The metal of the anodes is much softer than other submerged metal elements (e.g. propellers, steel rudders) of the boat. Thus, they are attacked more quickly – with the goal of keeping the remaining parts of the boat protected.
A look on a one-year old zinc anode (see image below) clearly shows the effects of corrosion. Without the sacrificed anode, corrosion would have occurred on vital parts of the boat.
#7 Check Gas and Electrics
Moisture can have negative effects on your electronic equipment and even destroy it. Therefore, when servicing your boat at the beginning of the season, be sure to take time to check the gas system and all electrical systems on board.
Check all electrical connections and lighting. Rusty plugs must be replaced immediately, otherwise there is a risk of fire. The gas hose should be replaced every two years, even if it has no defects.
Perform test runs and make sure GPS or compass are functional. Before the first trip, it is worth recharging all equipment.
#8 The Safety Equipment on Board
A thorough check of the safety equipment on board should also be part of your yacht service. Check the number and condition of life jackets.
In addition, the expiration date of flares and distress flares should be checked. Also make sure that fire extinguishers are on board. Check fire extinguishers for certification and expiration dates.
#9 Inspect the Inside of the Boat
When servicing your boat, don’t forget to inspect the interior of your boat. Check the upholstery, vinyl, as well as the tarps for any damage.
Moisture can also cause mold to form. Therefore, inspect thoroughly and remove mold immediately to prevent these areas from spreading further. Dehumidifiers can also be placed on board as a preventative measure, but they must be checked regularly and emptied as needed.
#10 The Big Spring Clean
All the technical things are done? Excellent! Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and flex your muscles. The deck needs to be scrubbed, the hull cleaned, and the boat’s interior cleaned.
While the antifouling and zinc anode are essential to the health of your boat, this is mostly cosmetic work. Still, washing, polishing, and painting are also part of keeping the boat in pristine condition for as long as possible.
Everyday Maintenance
For many owners, doing their own work on the boat is not only a duty, but a hobby at the same time. Moreover, it is the desirable complement to the annual professional yacht service.
Here are a few more tips you can follow in your daily use with your boat:
- Wash your boat’s hull regularly with fresh water or, ideally, purified water. This is the best way to ensure that the effects of the polish last for a long time.
- If you have technical problems, don’t tackle them yourself, contact a professional!
Professional Boat Service
Preparing a yacht or boat for the coming season involves a lot of work.
If you want to enjoy your yacht permanently and keep it in top shape for a long time, an annual, comprehensive check-up by experts is a must. Regular maintenance by professionals also ensures a high resale value.
Merk & Merk has been in business as a repair and service company for boats and yachts for over 15 years. With over 2000 boats serviced, we have seen every problem one could have with any part of a boat.
Our long list of yacht servicing services includes underwater hull protection (antifouling, zinc anodes), cleaning and painting metal elements such as propellers, trim tabs or stabilizers, washing and polishing, cosmetic gel coat repairs, sail repairs, refreshing teak decks and other wood surfaces, as well as testing all systems and sea trials and much more.
Is Your Yacht Ready for Summer?
Have you already secured an appointment for your annual boat service? If not, then you should hurry! Our service calendar is jam-packed and we only have a few available dates left.
Contact us today to get your gem ready for a summer full of memorable days aboard!