maintenance checklist

Short list:

• Engine (see engine_care for detailed list)
• The boat’s hull (bottom) & topsides, see hauling out
• Electrical systems, see electrical refit
• Plumbing, see thruhulls
• Moving parts (hinges, tracks and zippers)
• Canvas and upholstery

Long list:

• Anchor chain
  Check readability of depth markings, general link wear.
• Anchor rope rode
  Check for rope wear, check rope-to-chain connection, check condition and readability of depth markings.
• Anchor shackles
  Check pins, seizing wire condition.
• Windlass
  Service & washdown regularly or it will seize up, see windlass removal).
• Deck winches
  Clean(using a degreaser), re-apply with waterproof grease(calcium sulphonate for example) and light machine oil(on pawls).
• Running rigging
  Check for chafe in the rope covers. Wash lines in soapy water and rinse in fresh water.
• Standing rigging
  Check for cuts in the wire strands, inspect cotter pins and mast terminations.
• Mast head
  Lubricate sheaves, check rigging connections and masthead instruments for wear.
• Chainplates
  Check for pit corrosion & stretched bolt holes. Check connections to hull(look for stress marks). If going through deck re-bed chainplates with butyl tape to prevent water intrusion.
• Check for galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals
  See effect of combining dissimilar metals.
• Test both manual and automatic bilge pumps
  Check fuses in automatic pumps, check that manual pump components work(otherwise replace bits using a service kit).
• Test LPG and CO gas sensor
  Test and replace if necessary
• Thruhulls
  Check for corrosion, check hose clamps, make sure seacocks move freely.
• Plumbing
  Check hose clamps for corrosion. Two hoseclamps per hose are necessary, misalign them when re-installing new ones.
• Cockpit drains
  Make sure drains aren't clogged, check for corrosion at hose connection from inside.
• Check anodes
  Check condition of zincs on shaft, engine, boat, sail drive etc. for wear.
• Rudder
  Check for stress cracks, check for play in bearings, check rudder shaft seal for leakage and re-pack if necessary.
• Rudder steering
  Check and grease steering cables to quadrant if needed. Check steering connections inside wheel post for corrosion.
• Dripless shaft seal
  Replace bellow and accompanying bits every 7 years, or when there is visible wear present.
• Stern pack glanding
  Check for leakage, if leaking too much may require adjusting, or repacking.
• Batteries
  Check electrolyte if batteries are wet lead acid, check that connections to batteries are tight and free of corrosion.
• Mainsail
  Check for wear in stitching, re-stitch if necessary with UV-resistant sail thread. Patch up holes with Dacron tape and sail repair thread, check sail slides for wear, grease mainsail track(something like Sailkote).
• Headsail
  Check for wear in stitching, re-stitch if necessary with UV-resistant sail thread. Patch up holes with Dacron tape and sail repair thread. Check UV cover for wear, re-stitch and replace if overly worn (we have a Dacron covering because it's lighter/cheaper, you can also use Sunbrella as a covering).
• Furling drum(if you have a furling sail)
  Apply WD-40, rinse it off with soapy water, let dry, regrease bearings(use a solid water resistant grease).
• LPG
  Check high pressure hoses for wear, make sure connections are tight(check with soapy water), test solenoid on/off) switch.
• LPG tank
  Check expiration date, get tank re-certified if expired. Check for corrosion at valves.
• Auto-inflating life jackets
  Replace air cartridge if indicator is red. Inflate using mouth tube to test for leaks. Rinse lifejacket with freshwater after a sail(or season).
• Flares
  Check flare expiry, replace with new flares. Dispose expired flares responsibly (some marinas organize events to collect unused flares).
• EPIRB or PLB
  Check registration is still valid, re-register with governing authority in your area if necessary. If information has changed(address, emergency contact information), apply changes to registration.