Yacht Maintenance Quick Links
- Yacht Maintenance | An Introduction
- Daily Maintenance Of Your Yacht
- Weekly Maintenance Of Your Yacht
- Monthly Maintenance Of Your Yacht
- Yearly Maintenance Of Your Yacht
- Yacht Maintenance | Non-negotiable
- Yachting With Confidence
Yacht Maintenance | An Introduction
Owning a yacht is a dream come true. You spend hours, days or even months working with a yacht builder deciding on the type of boat, the model and the special features you want. With all the effort you put in to make your dream a reality, it only makes sense to take good care of your investment. How is this achieved? Through yacht maintenance, of course!
There are various useful checks you can perform to minimise unexpected yacht maintenance costs and expenditures. A yacht maintenance routine is key to ensuring a quality, safe cruising experience for years to come.
In this article, we followed a holistic approach to setting up and conducting a yacht maintenance plan. Inspired by leading yacht builders, these tips will help you live your dream while managing downtime proactively. Ultimately, it’s all about increasing your vessel’s lifespan while saving on costs in the long run.
A good start is to purchase a paperback maintenance logbook online. Or you can buy a downloadable version here. Then get ready to start ticking off those yacht maintenance tasks with our top tips for daily, weekly, monthly and annual yacht maintenance.
Daily Maintenance Of Your Yacht
Although it may take a little getting used to as part of your daily routine, the checklist below contains practical tips for trouble-free sailing whenever the mood takes you:
Check engine oil levels
- Check coolant and antifreeze levels
- Ensure belt tension is correct
- Inspect pulleys and check alignment
- Check pump belts and alternator
- Check transmission fluid levels
Weekly Maintenance Of Your Yacht
As part of a textbook yacht maintenance schedule, the following checks should be carried out at least once a week – or every time after the vessel has been used at sea:
Wash And Clean Yacht
Most yacht builders will agree that a good, routine clean will be required every two or three months.
However, if you are passionate about having your boat look its best, not to mention adding miles to the longevity of your asset, we recommend cleaning your yacht from port to starboard – every week.
Here Are A Few Basic Tips When Cleaning The Interior And Exterior Of Your Yacht:
- Wash all visible parts of the yacht exterior
- Flush saltwater out of the engine
- Clear all bird droppings on the boat exterior
- Remove all dust, streaks or debris
- Remove canvas covers and clean upholstery
- Scrub woodwork
- Clean and polish all metal finishes
- Clean interior: countertops, furniture, toilets and sinks
Clean And Check Your Yacht-Storage Facilities
Many yachts use smart storage and space-saving solutions to optimise the space available.
Whether you store towels in the cabinets in the head or stuff a few extra blankets in the storage compartments for those chilly evenings, storage areas are always useful and should be checked weekly:
- Clean all waterproof storage bags
- Inspect and repair marine rope
- Check and clean cargo nets
- Clean plastic storage bins
- Empty trash in bins and other refuse compartments
Run Routine Inspections
Being proactive about yacht maintenance is all about having a solid plan at hand and taking the time to pick up the little things – before they become bigger things:
- Check your yacht’s rudder, keel and hull for any wear or damage
- Look for any scratches or rust, applying Marine Oil and Gelcoat Restorer as needed
- Inspect the existing coating – if it is damaged, it needs to be replaced
- Check your boat’s deck to ensure there is no wood damage.
Monthly Maintenance Of Your Yacht
While by no means exclusive, the pointers below are a good starting point for monthly yacht maintenance. Though many yacht owners are quite able to perform some of these checks themselves, it is always a good idea to consult your manufacturer’s manual before going ahead with any scheduled maintenance to your yacht:
Systems Check
A yacht has many moving parts to consider in order to ensure a pleasant yachting experience. During times of frequent use, it is advisable to check the following components every month. These checks can be done either by yacht builders or an industry professional:
- Batteries
- Lubricants and coolants
- Fuel
- Transmission
- Pumps
- Exhaust
- Air intake
Inspect Electronics
From air conditioning and water treatment systems to satellite navigation and 24-hour video surveillance, most modern yachts are equipped with highly sophisticated onboard electronics. Electronics can easily be overlooked as part of your yacht maintenance routine.
We suggest running the following checks every month or so:
- Make sure that batteries are clean and dry
- Run a check on fuses and breakers
- Check that all connections are working properly
- Ensure that all wires are dry and clean
- Inspect and mend wire casings
- Check that batteries are working efficiently
- Check your boat’s air conditioning system (flush every 6 months)
Examine Sails
On average, sails and rigging should be inspected, checked and repaired (if necessary) every month:
- Check mainsail for wear and tear
- Check the condition of the lifeline, turnbuckles and pelican hooks
- Ensure that cotter pins are secured and stable
- Inspect lines, prioritising the replacement of worn items
- Check sails for mould, abrasions or tears that need mending
Clean Yacht Hull
If you are new to hull cleaning, consider including it in your yacht maintenance schedule.
A smooth, clean yacht hull is vital for good performance at sea. Keep in mind that warmer weather means cleaning more frequently, while colder climates will give you a little more time between cleaning intervals.
Currents also play a part; so it is a good idea to enquire about the currents where you are currently sailing from the dockmaster who manages the harbour. A good yardstick is to have the bottom of your yacht cleaned every one to three months.
Cleaning the hull of your yacht will clear it of any:
- Algae
- Marine life
- Barnacles
- Debris
Yearly Maintenance Of Your Yacht
Major Annual Service
Make sure to have your yacht serviced a minimum of once a year by your yacht maintenance professional.
A major yacht service can be a costly undertaking, but considering the effort it will save you in the long run, it is well worth the investment.
Following the service, your yacht maintenance professional will furnish you with a service report summary and additional documentation to add to your yacht maintenance log (very valuable to have available should you ever want to sell your yacht).
An annual yacht service might include:
- Service engine, drivetrain, transmission and generator
- Drain the fuel tank and replace the filters
- Refuel using quality marine diesel as instructed by the yacht manual
- Ensure that the correct additives are included with your yacht’s fuel
- Perform oil sample analysis
- Inspect, clean or replace injectors
Yacht Maintenance | Non-Negotiable
Yacht Maintenance is a crucial element of yacht ownership and operation. On average, it is a good rule of thumb to set aside 10% of your yacht’s purchase price for maintenance – every year.
When acquiring the yacht of your dreams, new or used, be sure to ask your yacht builder for as much info as possible regarding the maintenance schedule of your boat.
It pays to take the time to map out your yacht maintenance routine, focusing on weekly, monthly, and annual checks that need tending to. Finally, if ever you are uncertain about a specific component or problem, always reach out to a reputable, professional yacht builder or industry professional who you can trust to do what’s best for your ‘lady of the water’.
Yachting With Confidence
We hope that you enjoyed learning about these top tips on how to maintain your yacht – and that they will help you create an unassailable cruising experience for many years to come.
If you are ready to learn more about the journey to yacht ownership, as a reputable, experienced artisan yacht builder, Knysna Yacht Company has a plethora of tips and advice for you.
Find out more about what some members of the KYC family have to say about their semi-custom Knysna yachts here.
If you have any questions or require further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch at enquiries@knysnayachtco.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
