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Sailboat MaintenanceLAKE PLEASANT SAILING CLUB

MARCH 2015DOUG PAYNE

Topics• Topsides• Buff and Wax• Lifelines• Ground tackle• Annual registration• Bottom sides• Ports and hatches• Teak

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Topics• Sails

• Rig• Standing rigging• Running rigging• Winches

• Canvas

Topics• Outboards

• Diesel engines

• Thru hulls

• Bilges/Bilge pumps

• Marine heads and holding tanks

• Fresh water systems

• Batteries

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Buff and Wax• Caulking and oxidation

• Surface preparation• Wash thoroughly• Polish vs wax• Rubbing compound• Restorer/Wax, cleaner/wax, wax only• Machine vs hand application• Machine 600 rpm slow speed auto polisher vs orbital

• 25’ boat could take an 8 hour day for one person.

• PoliGlow

Ground tackle• Check swivels

• Bind shackles

• Check rode for chafe and wear

• Bitter end affixed?*%&%@@!!!!!!!! Fruit Cake Burgee material

• Mark every 25’

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Life Lines & Deck Hardware• Inspect carefully annually

• Tighten stanchion bases

• Check for corrosion under white lifeline covers

• Check for proper tension

• Marine adhesives good for about 20 years• Re-bed • Balsa cored decks

Annual registration• Don’t forget to keep all your watercraft registrations up to date!

• Don’t find out how expensive it can be to be out of date.

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Bottom Sides• De slime the yuk!

• Bottom paint not as critical as other bodies of water

• Zebra Mussels, what has been everyone’s experience?

Ports and Hatches• Many products that can be used to polish out plastic ports and hatches

• But it won’t last very long

• Alfredo’s Method• 1200 wet dry sand paper wet sanded. • 3M Marine Compound and Finishing Material (06044)• 3M Marine Finesse-It II Glaze (09048)• Then apply a good paste wax with a UV inhibitor• Also works on those cloudy headlights

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Teak• Our old boats have some

• Your choices• Teak cleaner followed by teak oil• Cetol• Varnish• Au natural

• Our sun is brutal

• The only way to really preserve it is to cover with canvas

• Nothing more beautiful than varnish

• Best compromise probably teak oil, but apply it often

Sails• UV damages unprotected sails• One year will destroy a sail• Always cover• UV protection for furled jibs• UV protection can last 10 years, but re-stitch every 3-4• Avoid candy stipes

• Tests• Puncture test• Tread test

• Sails can be refurbished• Cleaned• Re-stitched

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Rig• Standing rigging• Experts say replace every 10 years• Inspect annually• Look for rust in fittings• Small cracks in fittings• Snags • Chain plates!

• Running rigging• Can be laundered in a net bag or in a tub• You know when it is time

• Winches – metallic sound indicates need for service• Rebuild kits available, online videos an instruction

• Sail tracks

Canvas Snaps and Gelcoat• Expected life 5-7 years in Arizona• Pressure wash and waterproof your canvas• Can be re treated for waterproofing – not big issue here• Clean annually with mild soap and rinse

• Will normally need re-stitching mid-life• Test for stitches

• Check set screws

• Use snap and zipper lube quarterly to prevent from canvas tearing or pulling out of the fiberglass

• Rinse off your boat after every use to eliminate the salt crystals

• Wash every two weeks/Wax every 6 months

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Outboards - PM• Follow manufacturer’s maintenance schedules especially for motors under

warranty

• Carburetors• Evil ethanol• Stabilizers• Aviation gas• Running gas out

• Water pump• Replacing impellers

• Lower gear oil• Bad seals – milky oil• Change annually

• Fuel in the tank?

Diesel Auxiliaries - PM• Follow Manufacturer’s maintenance requirements

• PM cycle -100 hours or in our case every say two years• Oil change (plus filter)• Change primary and secondary fuel filters• Change zinc’s• Inspect carefully for oil leaks• Inspect belts• Change water pump impeller• Check/change transmission fluid• Check all hoses and hose clamps• Check periodically while underway• Fuel treatment/water in the tank

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Thru Hulls• Exercise regularly

• Have wood plugs attached to each

• Replace when useful life is past

• A one inch hole in the boat is not a good thing!

• Avoid this!

Bilges/Bilge Pumps• Test bilge pumps often

• Clean up any oil from diesel auxiliaries

• Oil dry pad under engine

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“Stinky Heads”• Maintain a regular pump out schedule!

• Chemically treat your heads at every pump out

• It is not always the head that is causing the odor, sump boxes and grey water tanks don’t help, also bilge water

• Flush the grey water tank and disinfect the sump box

• Hose test

• Consider fresh water feed

Fresh Water Systems• Flush the system

• Bleach

• Treatment products

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Batteries• Lead acid-maintain water levels monthly

• AGM’s are the Cadillac’s but expensive

• Inspect terminals monthly

• Replace all or nothing

• Do not mix type, lead acid, gel or AGM

• Protect terminals with corrosion protection

Need Help?• Ask around, we have a wealth of experience in the club

• Call Tom Erickson! He knows almost everything!