Preventative Maintenenance

[dpaquin]

In the navy we had this amazing preventative maintenance program that listed everything to service and when to service it. I would like to have a similar organized approach for my Hunter 420. I made an effort with the attached list and I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

 

[fstbttms]

Inspect bottom paint on a monthly basis? My friend, you need to have your bottom cleaned every 3-4 weeks in San Diego, not just looked at.

 

[dpaquin]

Inspect bottom paint on a monthly basis? My friend, you need to have your bottom cleaned every 3-4 weeks in San Diego, not just looked at.

True ... but when they clean it, they give me a status report on the condition of the paint which eventually leads to a new paint job. That's how I came up with monthly.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

You'll probably want to service the engine a little more than bi-annually.

Oil is changed at least semi-annually ........ and that's when it's not even running.

 

[dpaquin]

Good feedback...thanks!

 

[splax]

I hope you are closing the through hull valves when you leave the boat. This means I cycle the valves, except the overboard discharge, every time I use the boat.
I change the oil in the engine and transmission when I winterize the boat. I change the fuel and water filters during Spring commissioning.
You might check the coolant level and transmission oil level, also, if you are checking the engine oil.
Be sure you check the float switch operation of your bilge pump. My wires were pinched and eaten away so the float switch didn't run the bilge pump.
"Inspect all wiring" is rather vague and ambitious. You should have a specific planned inspection for what is accessible.
Your sails need occasional cleaning to remove salt and dirt to give you better performance.
Inspection may not reveal problems, so a planned replacement budget may be a good way to address failures that are sure to rear their head, such as water pump impeller, battery, standing rigging, head rebuild, water fixtures, electrical devices (gauges, fans, light bases, outlets, switches and breakers), etc.
I have seen the use of checklists that would cover much of what you are trying to accomplish. A checklist each for opening the boat, leaving the boat, Spring commissioning, winterization, race day, or a long trip. This would entail much of the inspection in your schedule as you go through the checklist and operate the items.
-just an opinion

 

[dpaquin]

Thanks, Splax, those are good ideas. I live aboard year-around, so it's a slightly different scenario, but you've brought up some great points.

I'm interested in finding out just how often the oil should be changed on my engine - guess I better pull out the tech manual!

 

[BayMan]

Inspect bottom paint on a monthly basis? My friend, you need to have your bottom cleaned every 3-4 weeks in San Diego, not just looked at.

I am a great Lakes sailor thinking of going into salt water. What does that mean for me in terms of extra maintenace? I read things like bottom cleaning and sacrificial zinc and it scares me

 

[rufus1138]

Thanks, Splax, those are good ideas. I live aboard year-around, so it's a slightly different scenario, but you've brought up some great points.

I'm interested in finding out just how often the oil should be changed on my engine - guess I better pull out the tech manual!

a full time liveaboard should operate all systems often enough that you will have a running list of items needing attention and full knowledge of the health of all systems, i know i do, not bragging just the nature of the beast, right now i have a lengthy list of things i should do but dont have funds for atm but the checklists and planned maintenance are definitely a huge help as far as inducing structure to the operation of the vessel.

 

[dpaquin]

I spend about $50 a month having the bottom cleaned. Zincs last about 6 months and cost about $70 to replace. The bottom has to be repainted about once every 3 to 4 years for around 1800 (on a 42 ft sailboat)

 

[splax]

Going from fresh to salt water will incur the annual haul-out & cleaning with bottom paint and zincs in the Spring. Sometime you can stretch the zincs and/or paint to two seasons, depending on usage and environment. I replaced my zinc on the propeller shaft last year for about $5. I painted the bottom for about $300. I am in fresh water and everything looked good when I dove the boat Tuesday.
Two methods of boat care are described. Haul, clean, and paint annually or clean monthly and have a diver do the zinc, if you have good underwater visibility. They both cost about the same and cleaning one year then hauling the next may be the best method, given the variables.

 

[srhummer]

Hunter checklist

I would add check the battery water level and top off as needed.
Check fuel filter.
Service winch handles.

And here is the Hunter maintenance checklist.

 

[splax]

Thanks srhummer.

 

[fstbttms]

Going from fresh to salt water will incur the annual haul-out & cleaning with bottom paint and zincs in the Spring.

This is true only where the sailing season is shortened by nasty winters. On the West Coast, our boats stay in the water year-round and typically only haul for paint every two or three years.

 

[Rick D]

Make That....

This is true only where the sailing season is shortened by nasty winters. On the West Coast, our boats stay in the water year-round and typically only haul for paint every two or three years.

...three to four years

 

[fstbttms]

...three to four years

Fifteen gentle cleanings a year will do that. Unfortunately, not all boat owners in Northern California understand yet that relatively frequent, gentle cleaning will help your paint last longer than less frequent, more abrasive cleanings.

 

[BayMan]

This is true only where the sailing season is shortened by nasty winters. On the West Coast, our boats stay in the water year-round and typically only haul for paint every two or three years.

My plan would be to haul out for hurricane season. That means I would be in the water from about November to May. Am I going to have to clean the bottom during that time it's in the water or can all that wait for haul out?

 

[propellanttech]

My plan would be to haul out for hurricane season. That means I would be in the water from about November to May. Am I going to have to clean the bottom during that time it's in the water or can all that wait for haul out?

This depends on two factors.

One, where is the boat? The colder the temperature, the less bottom growth that will happen. Cold equals slow marine growth.

Two, how often do you move the boat? It is a absolute fact an item at rest picks up more growth than a object in motion (think of no exercise creates fat).

Still, I would bet, if your any where the water isn't solid, you will probably need to clean at least once. If the water is too cold for you to get in it, you will clean upon haul out.

Also growth in salt water is progressive. Slow at first, but picks up in speed of growth. Freshwater typically maintains a specific speed, and doesn't accelerate.

James L.

 

[fstbttms]

My plan would be to haul out for hurricane season. That means I would be in the water from about November to May. Am I going to have to clean the bottom during that time it's in the water or can all that wait for haul out?

Boats living in brackish or saltwater on the East Coast from the mid-Atlantic states south typically require hull cleaning at some point.