Experiencing some problems or breakages with your equipment is the usual scenario when sailing across the ocean. Expecting some problems is frequent, especially when dealing with motorized vehicles. However, breakages can spoil your voyages. In either case, sailing doesn’t have to put you at risk. In fact, sailing can be enjoyable but also a safe activity. Sometimes, sailboats and yachts may suffer from faulty equipment and a dizzying display of broken parts. Usually, the problems they cause are worsened when at sea. Nevertheless, when knowing the problems that sailors experience at sea, is always an advantage. But you don’t have to worry! This list will guide you through the most common sailboat problems and provide you solutions on how to repair them.

Battery and Generator Problems

Nowadays, the cruising life has become more complex, and sailors demand more home comforts, which means more electrical gear on board. However, this demands greater battery charging systems and bank capacity. Many heavy-duty items like inverters can weaken an electrical network. As a result, this provokes blown fuses, arcing connections, and even cable meltdown. Battery and generator’s problems may include impellers, cooling issues, coolant water, and salt or freshwater pumps. When changing filters and impellers to resolve the issues, you may have to switch to the main engine for power. In addition, the most common battery issues are caused by old batteries that required more regular engine use in order to charge.

Engine Failures

There’s a simple solution to follow to prevent the above-mentioned problems. And that is the regular maintenance of your sailboat. So, to resolve some of the issues, you should check fluids and oils regularly and don’t always rely on gauges. If there’s a lack of lubrication, then check the engines and gearbox oil levels. Always repair problematic or old parts before they cause any problems. If there’s a failure in the water pump impeller, then the cooling system will fail, and the engine is going to overheat. Check if the rubber impeller can slightly bend and replace it, if necessary.

Moreover, ignition systems might fail on gasoline engines. On the contrary, diesel engines can have faulty injectors. Last but not least, keep in mind that the causes of engine failures on sailboats can be plenty. Some of the most common ones are corrosion, fuel and oil contamination, saltwater, clogging, and humidity.

How to Resolve Engine Failures

There’s a simple solution to follow to prevent the above-mentioned problems. And that is, the regular maintenance of your sailboat. So, to resolve some of the issues you should check fluids and oils regularly, and don’t always rely on gauges. If there’s a lack of lubrication then check the engines and gearbox oil levels. Always repair problematic or old parts before they cause any problems. If there’s a failure in the water pump impeller then the cooling system will fail and the engine is going to overheat. Check if the rubber impeller can slightly bend and replace it, if necessary.

Furthermore, if the inlet filter has raw water in it then this blockage will probably lead to engine failure. You should close the seacock and make sure that there’s no object obstructing it. Then, check and clean the filter. A lot of engine failures at sea are caused by a lack of basic upkeep. This results in engine pump failures, filter blockages, overheating, and then breakdown.

Broken Masts

Handling a dismasting is a really sticky situation when aboard. It is not often for sailboats to experience a broken mast, except in harsh conditions. However, sometimes if there’s improper handling, this would be a probable cause for damage. For that reason, it is essential to inspect the rigging regularly. Keep in mind that if the rigging is adjusted improperly and the mainstay breaks, then it transfers a lot of force to the other stays. Worst-case-scenario would be if a shroud is loosened, unhooked and the mast battered by waves. In that case, it is essential to quickly pull the mast in the boat and secure it.

Another problem would be the broken starboard. For instance, if the starboard mainstay snaps, then stress will be transferred to port and that can cause the mast to break in an instant. Sometimes, manufacturing defects or poor maintenance can provoke damage, causing the stay to rip the chainplate right off the hull. Regular maintenance, handling, and inspections are the key to prevent dismasting. Always double-check and adjust the stays, chainplates, and rigging. To sum up, choose the proper hardware and ensure the proper maintenance of your sailboat, according to its characteristics.

Leaks

Sailboats can experience leaks from time to time. The reasons that cause the leaks are numerous. Leaks can be a tricky issue. When tracing a leak, everything depends on the amount of the leak and from where it’s coming from. Leaks may be caused by water tanks, chainplates, windows, hull-deck joint, and deck fittings. In any case, don’t worry, leaks are not an unresolved problem! Always repair any corrosive areas, check your plumbing, and repair or reseal seacocks. Furthermore, it is essential to take a bilge pump and weatherstrip, just in case. If you inspect a leak before setting off, then repair your sailboat before going back on the water. If you spot a leak when at sea, you can also resolve the issue. Use your replacement equipment (sealing compounds, bilge pump, marine sealant, etc.), to repair plumbing, bilge, and roof leaks.

Steering Failure

To begin with, don’t take for granted the simplicity of the wheel’s steering systems. When the steering systems fail, then this is due to improper maintenance and impact damage. If the steering cables become slack, they may eventually drop off a sheave or a quadrant. Poor scantlings or too much tension in the system can cause the tension to drop out of the system and the cables to fall off the quadrant. Also, a turning block in the steering system detached from a bulkhead can provoke that kind of damage. One action you can take to regain the steerage is to engage the autopilot if your ram is attached to the rudder stock.

If you don’t have an autopilot, then use your emergency tiller. This will take you a few minutes to bolt on but will restore your steerage. If nothing from the above employs you, then drop anchor if you’re in shallow waters. Keep in mind to tighten and re-fit the steering cables if you still have control of the quadrant. Last but not least, lubricate the sheaves and cables with engine oil twice a season.

Most Common Sailboat Problems – Conclusion

It is essential to perform regular maintenance on your sailboat or yacht. This way you’ll prevent and repair any problems and damages with basic skills and minimal expense. The above-mentioned failures are some of the most common ones that can occur at sea. Remember my advice on what you can do to prevent them before they ruin your seagoing adventures! Most importantly, maintain your sailboats and always comply with all safety rules, especially in the event of equipment failure. In short, keep in mind that there’s no problem that can not be resolved!