Maintaining a motor yacht is a cycle that turns all year. The end of the season, the winter and the run-up to the new season each have their own work. If the cycle turns regularly, faults show up at the quay or ashore and not at sea.
Ashore or afloat?
Here in Turkey most boats winter on hardstanding. Ashore, the hull dries out the moisture it has taken up over the season, and the underwater gear is easy to work on. The boat sits on a cradle that suits the model, or on props. Against that, haul-out, relaunch and hardstanding are charged separately, and hardstanding, like a berth, goes by the registered length.
Where winters are mild, wintering afloat keeps the boat usable throughout, though it still has to be hauled out at intervals for underwater work. For a boat staying afloat, its place in the marina matters. Ask which way the winter storms come from and which side of the pontoon lies in the lee.
The choice depends on the local climate, the marina's facilities, the boat's drive system and that year's job list. You also tell your insurer where the boat will winter and how long it will be ashore.
Closing the season
The end-of-season jobs are the same on almost every boat:
- An oil and filter change on the engines and generator; used oil is not left in an engine over the winter
- Flushing the sea-water cooling circuit with fresh water, with antifreeze where there is a risk of frost
- For the fuel tank, the precaution the engineers recommend against condensation and the fuel going off
- Draining or protecting the fresh water system, the water heater and the toilet plumbing
- Keeping the batteries charged
- Cleaning the bilges and leaving them dry
- Airing the interior, drying it out and removing soft furnishings
- Protecting the boat with a cover
Winter is the time for the big jobs
The larger jobs that can't be done in season wait for the winter. While the boat is ashore, the antifouling, anodes, propellers, shaft seals and bearings, seacocks, rudders and bow and stern thrusters are gone over. The periodic service of the engines and generator, the stabiliser and air conditioning service, teak and varnish, upholstery and electronics are planned for this period as well.
The engineers get busier as the season approaches. Draw up the job list at the start of the winter and get the quotations in writing, and the work will be finished in time for the launch.
The boat is looked at in winter too
A laid-up boat is not left to itself. Afloat, the mooring lines and stern lines, fenders, bilge pumps and batteries are checked, above all after storms. Ashore, the supports, the cover and any damp or water collecting inside are checked from time to time. Who makes these checks, and how often, is agreed at the start of the winter.
Opening the season
Before the boat goes back in, the seacocks and seals are checked. Once it is afloat it is checked for leaks, the engines and generator are run and the systems are tried one by one. A short sea trial shows that the winter's work holds up under load.
Before the season starts you also confirm that the safety equipment is in place and that the insurance policy and the boat's papers are valid.
Hours or calendar?
Manufacturers usually tie the service interval to both engine hours and the calendar, whichever comes first. A little-used boat doesn't skip the services that go by time. The oil in an engine that hardly runs still ages, and its seals still dry out.
Every job goes into the maintenance log with the date and the engine hours, and the invoices are kept. A well-kept log shows that the boat can be relied on, and supports its value when you come to sell.
When maintenance is tied to a calendar, the season passes without surprises.
