Maintenance Schedules

[NICK1951]

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Good Morning Maine and all others,

I appreciate your thoughts on routine and non routine maintenance schedules. My boat is in a warm saltwater environment. The Perkins m 50 diesel is run 200 hours per year. It is on anchor 90 days per year.

When would you replace?

antifreeze
transmission fluid
mechanical fuel lift pump
electronic fuel pump
primary fuel filter
secondary fuel filter
engine hoses
anchor chain
timing belt
keel bolts
standing rigging
rebed thru hulls
do relays and solenoids have a useful life?

Thanks.

Nick

 

[Ron20324]

For some of the items, have you consulted the owner's manuals?

 

[Stu Jackson]

When would you replace?

antifreeze - you can check it, 2 - 5 years
transmission fluid - at least once a year
mechanical fuel lift pump - when it stops working
electronic fuel pump - when it stops working, get a spare
primary fuel filter - once a year
secondary fuel filter - once every 3 or so years
engine hoses - examine them regularly
anchor chain - inspect regularly
timing belt - on a diesel?
keel bolts - inspect regularly, keep dry
standing rigging - inspect regularly
rebed thru hulls - inspect regularly
do relays and solenoids have a useful life? - when they stop working, get spares

Nick,

Ron's right. And much of this material is covered on the C36 website/forum. I'm sure there should be a Beneteau owners group, too.

Don't forget running rigging; winch servicing, steering service, bilge pump(s), other pumps, fuses & breakers, zincs, etc.

The list is endless, make your own.

Good luck.

 

[FastOlson]

Stu is right about it seeming endless. But it helps to focus on moving stuff with sheaves like the steering if you have a wheel. Those sheaves under the pedestal that turn the cables 90 degrees can wear and the sheaves themselves can wear out their bushings.

Standing rig...
Varies by climate. Southern water with warm salty air, ten years. colder waters and fresh waters, 20 years.

Or just rationalize whatever time table you choose... we all do that anyway!

Loren

 

[clausjepsen]

A engineer I know told me the it is very important to change the freshwater with anti freeze each 3 years, because it looses its anti corrosion abilities.

 

[NICK1951]

Thanks for your responses.

Nick

 

[NICK1951]

MAINTENANCE STRATEGY


My maintenance strategy is based on owning 2 sailboats; a 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 400 with a Perkins M 50, and a 1984 Catalina 36 with a Universal M-25. The Beneteau is a former charter boat in saltwater, The Catalina is in freshwater. Salt water is a harsh environment.


I welcome any complimentary or conflicting thoughts.


antifreeze
I change antifreeze every 4 years. It comes out clean. I have not flushed the radiator. I have not bothered to bleed the antifreeze circulating through the water heater. My goal is to maintain the rust inhibitors.


transmission fluid
Replaced (100%) every 3 years with the same brand and grade. I suspect a better strategy might be to replace only 50% in order to not shock the transmission with cleansing agents. Any thoughts?


mechanical fuel lift pump
electronic fuel pump
I replace every 5 years. I am concerned about the diaphragms deteriorating. I use a 2 micron on my primary filter. The vacuum gage shows no vacuum. I recognize many may prefer a 10 micron primary. I probably will migrate to 10 micron.



primary fuel filter
secondary fuel filter
Every year.



engine hoses
I replaced the Beneteau's hoses last year. It has about 35 feet. It was cracked and stiff. One hose had worn on an engine mount. The Catalina, I replaced this year (less hose and easier). The old hose was easy to pinch and very flexible. I was concerned it may constrict if my spoon filter picked up trash. I added a raw water filter. Lake Erie has a lot of weeds and algae.



anchor chain
This is an area of concern on the Beneteau. I might have it galvanized. It is about 15 years old. Any thoughts?


timing belt
The timing belt on the Perkins is replaced every 6 years. The old belt has always looked good. I believe the Universal has a chain.


keel bolts
Replaced the Beneteau's bolts last year. The heads were rusted. I was afraid if I let it go, I would not be able to get them out. Probably overkill. The Catalina has stainless bolts. I do not plan on changing them.


standing rigging
Replaced the Beneteau's last year. Cost about $5,000. Maybe overkill? However, every year I see a few boats that had been dismasted.

rebed thru hulls
Done nothing.

do relays and solenoids have a useful life?
The Beneteau has 3 relays and 2 solenoids. I have not replaced any items. However, I have had a few connection issues with the anchor windlass solenoid.


other items
I have replaced or added the following items on the Beneteau.
Profurl drum
Force 10 Stove
Starter motor
Rebuilt fuel injection pump
Engine mounts.
Volvo Penta sealess system
Sheave at mast top

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I don't see any mention of any toilet and sanitation system, or fresh water system maintenance. The one at home may not need any, but the ones on boats do...and trust me, preventive maintenance is a lot easier and cheaper than "only fix what breaks" cure!

 

[NICK1951]

Hello Peggie,


Just to let you know I hate heads, necessary but still the devil. I have 2 Jabscos on the Benetau and 1 on the Catalina. My maintenance is focused on joker and flapper valves. They are easy to fix. The 6 screws supporting the housing for the flapper valve are easy to strip. When the toilet gives me major problems, I find it is cheaper to replace with a new toilet. The Benetau is in saltwater. As a result, calcium in the discharge hose is an issue. Once a month, I pump a 30% mixture of muratic acid through the discharge hose. I am not sure this works. But in 6 years, I have not experienced blockage. My winterization procedures for the Catalina is to pump antifreeze from the through hull hose to the toilet to the holding tank.


I do have a question for you, I have not seen discussed on your site. I will post it there. Look forward to your response.


Thanks for your interest.


Nick

 

[Maine Sail]

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Good Morning Maine and all others,

I appreciate your thoughts on routine and non routine maintenance schedules. My boat is in a warm saltwater environment. The Perkins m 50 diesel is run 200 hours per year. It is on anchor 90 days per year.

When would you replace?

antifreeze
transmission fluid
mechanical fuel lift pump
electronic fuel pump
primary fuel filter
secondary fuel filter
engine hoses
anchor chain
timing belt
keel bolts
standing rigging
rebed thru hulls
do relays and solenoids have a useful life?

Thanks.

Nick

This I do on my own boat:

antifreeze - I do mine every year but I set the vessel up so this is a 10 minute job it gets about 80% drained and then topped up. Changing 80% of it yearly keeps it very clean.

transmission fluid - I do our Hurth/ZF every oil change (twice per year) and it costs about $4.00 and takes about 5 minutes. These gears 100% rely on clean fluid. Our gear has been most of the way around the world and back.

mechanical fuel lift pump - When it needs it or becomes a rust bucket.

electronic fuel pump - Our boat has an electric factory original Facet pump with over 4000 hours on it. I carry a spare which would take about 10 minutes to replace.

primary fuel filter - Yearly

secondary fuel filter - Yearly

Fuel polishing filter = as needed based on vacuum gauge

engine hoses - As needed / but they rarely exceed 7 years.

anchor chain - When it becomes worn or really rusty

timing belt - When the engine maker specifies if applicable

keel bolts - Ours are 36 year old and perfect.

standing rigging - Every ten like clock work

rebed thru hulls - If they leak

do relays and solenoids have a useful life - Yes but you won't likely exceed the MTBF on a boat so only replace when they fail

 

[Stu Jackson]

Chainplates should be considered routine maintenance items.

 

[NICK1951]

Thanks Maine and Stu,

I will change the antifreeze and transmission fluid on a more frequent basis.

Nick