Assessing the maintenance a boat will need - and the cost associated with expensive equipment that needs to be replaced periodically - can be a challenge for any of us, but particularly for those who are less experienced or looking for their first boat.

Regular maintenance of your boat is the key to keeping it safe and reliable, with a minimum of unexpected repair costs, and to maintaining its appearance and value longer. For example, you wouldn't hire a rental boat in Spain or any other holiday destination if the boat was not in good condition, right?. Regardless of the type of boat it is, the maintenance that requires constancy and attention. It is important to monitor the wear and tear that occurs and decide what to do before it becomes a serious problem.

TAKE CARE OF THE COVER

Fiberglass
Regular polishing and waxing will help keep the fiberglass looking like new and are particularly important in the case of dark colors, which tend to fade more quickly.

Periodically check fiberglass castings for scratches, cracks and other damage. All cracks should be investigated for depth. We can use a sharp chisel to open the v-shaped crack. If it does not extend beyond the gelcoat, an aesthetic repair of the gel is sufficient. However, if the damage affects the laminate then it will need professional repair.

Wood
Teak decks on fibreglass or aluminium boats have a limited service life and replacing them is quite expensive. Loose, split or drilled planks should be repaired immediately to prevent water from seeping under the deck.

Much of the damage to these covers results from washing them with an overly hard bristle brush, which can wear down the wood up to 1mm per year. A less aggressive brush, used transversally to the direction of the grain helps to prevent this type of wear, and the result is that the wood gradually takes on a natural silvery appearance.

Wooden boats are more subject to damage caused by damage to paint or varnish layers and problems caused by fresh water and frost. Salt water, on the other hand, acts as a mild preservative, so most of the problems will be found where rainwater accumulates.



CARE FOR ENGINE AND OTHER EQUIPMENT
Inboard diesel engines require annual maintenance, which includes changing oil, oil filter and fuel filters. Ideally this should be done before the boat is run aground at the end of the season and before the engine winterization.

Daily checks include the condition and tension of the drive belt, an examination of all wiring for loose connections or wear, and the level of oil and coolant in the heat exchanger of fresh water cooled engines.

Bilge (and toilet) pumps need regular maintenance. It may not be necessary to do so annually if they are used only occasionally, but we must do so every two years. PVC gas hoses have a service life of five years, but if we notice any signs of wear, we should replace them immediately and if we are inexperienced, the safest way to do this is with the assistance of a qualified technician.

All safety equipment should be checked and maintained every year: life jackets should be examined more frequently for scuffing or seam damage and to confirm that the CO2 bottle is in place.

SAILS AND RIGGING

We will examine the sails for damage to the seams, as well as cuts, scrapes or tears - when we sail to the smallest damage will be visible against the sun so we should pay attention to the areas of more effort, batten sheaths and the leech of the headsails.

A complete overhaul of the rigging is a sensible precaution at least once a year. A purely visual inspection is not enough - cracks almost invisible to the eye can cause problems in aluminium and stainless steel - but it is a good starting point.

Check all terminals and accessories to determine their condition, appearance and safety, paying particular attention to the crosshead joints and rigging anchorage points. At the top of the mast, check that the halyard pulleys are working well and grease them sparingly. Also, make sure that the crosshead terminals and other elements that can damage the sails do not cause problems and are well protected with adhesive tape.

SERVICE LIFE OF A BOAT'S EQUIPMENT

Motors: 15 - 20 years
Mast: 25 years
Firm rigging: 5 years (regatta); 10 years (cruise)
Mobile rigging: 10 years
Maneuver: 20 years
Tapestries: 10 years
Liferaft: 12 years
Batteries: 3 - 5 years
Teak: 10 - 20 years
Electronics: 5 - 15 years
Sails: 10 years
Awnings: 10 years