| The aim of this article is to hi light to the sailing | | | | with refilling the water tank or engine fuel. Before your |
| fraternity ways to reduce the amount of money they | | | | trip you should check you have the correct safety |
| spend on sailboat maintenance. It does involve rolling | | | | gear and look over the emergency kit - it should be on |
| your sleeves up, but there are many benefits to be | | | | your monthly check list! |
| had from a little elbow grease. Mostly the pointers are | | | | Keeping your boat ship shape is important! How much |
| aimed at a sailors organization. The article is not meant | | | | time is wasted looking for stuff in lockers? You can |
| to cause offense, indeed I will try to inject a little humor | | | | even list the contents of each one written on a sticky |
| in to it as we go along! It's a British sense of humor | | | | label on the lid! Get rid of junk! It clutters and makes the |
| and any feedback is welcome! | | | | boat untidy and heavier! OK not everyone is a racer |
| In order to stay in front of the sailboat maintenance | | | | but it all adds to a simpler life. Cleanliness is next to |
| game you need to be proactive. By waiting for stuff to | | | | godliness. If you regularly wash the decks of grim you |
| break you are leaving yourself wide open to expense, | | | | will enhance the life of your deck and cockpit. Why? |
| ruined holiday plans and foul tempers! Let's face it you | | | | This is because you can spot trouble before it gets a |
| don't want to stuck on the pontoon during your | | | | hold. If you have a teak deck you can monitor the rate |
| precious holiday time - do you? So how to be | | | | at which the deck dries. The patches that dry more |
| proactive in this field? Happily there are lots of things | | | | slowly could mean the caulk is broken, so allowing |
| you can do to make life easier. | | | | water in. Again with fiberglass decks, you can spot |
| Here are a few suggestions. In no particular order: | | | | crazed glass or voids when the surface is clean. |
| Write down a weekly, monthly and seasonal check list | | | | Learning is the key to improvement on board. Perhaps |
| of things to observe on board. Examples weekly - the | | | | your methods have not allowed for improvements in |
| engine oil, fuel filter and engine cooling unit. Monthly | | | | technology. Watching the market and asking questions |
| might be the navigation lights. Seasonal would be the | | | | is a great way to absorb these updates. If your buddy |
| condition of the hull. By having a list of things to check | | | | has a new gadget and your curious to know its in and |
| on a regular basis, you are covering yourself for any | | | | out - ask to borrow it for a weekend. Then your |
| nasty surprises. | | | | getting a practical trial, before you reach in to your |
| Have a reliable set of tools to cover the jobs that | | | | pocket! There maybe a vibrant second hand market, |
| need attention. By investing in your tool kit you will have | | | | or a unit in your local shop that's been a display model |
| peace of mind that you've got the correct wrench, | | | | - did anyone say discounted? |
| pliers and hack saw. Buying cheaply is not advisable, | | | | Not everyone is a whizz at repair though. There |
| materials used are not as strong under pressure or as | | | | maybe jobs you don't want to go near, as you don't |
| durable. Why buy two sets of tools over five years | | | | understand every aspect. There could be a technical |
| rather than one? Another straight forward concept is | | | | aspect to the repair of your outboard or hull. It's normal |
| having a range of spare parts for jobs that need | | | | to be unsettled by the unknown. However with the |
| attention frequently. For example - spark plugs, spark | | | | right knowledge, tools and materials, it is realistic to |
| socket, shear pins, starter cord, plug leads, filters, sail | | | | gradually incorporate more of your own repair work to |
| tape. | | | | your beloved vessel. By becoming more involved with |
| Set aside time before a trip to plan your route and plug | | | | the practical sailboat maintenance aspect of your |
| way points in to your GPS in advance. You could even | | | | vessel enhances the bond. So take your interest |
| get an idea of over night coves or fun places to stop | | | | further and get more for less from your hobby! |
| at to give your holiday a loose plan. This also helps | | | | |