Whether your sailboat is stationary for a long time, or whether you live and travel with it, there are several key things to keep an eye on. Regular maintenance of your sailboat will ensure more years of use and better performance. Furthermore, your sailboat will be safer and it will keep its value longer. Below you’ll find a checklist for routine mission-critical checks. Some of these checks have to be performed both daily and monthly. Others require monthly and annual checks, but always make sure to inspect everything, thoroughly. Follow the steps of the list and ensure trouble-free sailing.

Engine

The engine of your sailboat is something that requires a lot of care and attention. Inspect regularly the condition of the engine and look for corrosion, as well as make sure that the outboard motor is securely in place. Daily maintenance of the engine consists of:

  • Check the engine’s oil level.
  • Check the belt tension.
  • Transmission fluid level.
  • Inspect pulleys as well as the alignment.
  • Alternator and water pump belts have to be tight.

And now we’re moving on to the monthly maintenance of the engine which includes:

  • Change the oil and filter of the engine.
  • Clean the thru-hull.
  • Clean the siphon break.
  • Fill up coolant and antifreeze if needed.
  • Check pump, impeller, and raw water strainer.

Finally, let’s see the annual maintenance of your sailboat’s engine:

  • Test the batteries.
  • Check the diesel tank for damages.
  • Inspect the shaft and propeller.
  • Change primary and secondary fuel filters.
  • Bleed the fuel system.

Check the Bilge and Bilge Pump

The bilge is situated at the bottom part of the sailboat and collects excess water. The bilge pump is the piece that removes water from the bilge. If the bilge pump is damaged, your sailboat can even be sunk! In order to keep yourself and your boat safe, check the pump hoses for debris that could cause clogs. In case you find a leak, the first thing you should do is to taste the water. Is it freshwater or saltwater? So, every few days survey the bilge for oil, water, or fuel leaks. Moreover, it’s important to lift a central floorboard often just to ensure that the bilge is dry. Leaks can be caused by different areas. For instance, leaks that come from holes in the deck, loose hatch seals, or improperly sealed windows.

Yacht Maintenance Checklist

>>Also Read: Common Sailboat Problems and How to Fix Them

Hull

Always inspect probable damages to your sailboat, even if it’s in a well-maintained condition. It’s recommended to make monthly and yearly checks to make sure it stays in perfect condition. Firstly, inspect the hull, keel, and rudder and look for any damages, cracks, and blisters. Then, make sure that the drain plugs are in place. Apply gel coat restorer or a rust inhibitor to the scratches or to the rusting of your sailboat’s bodywork. Moreover, you will also need to remove your sailboat from the water, once a year. It’s easier to do this during the winter months and although this can be a costly thing to do, is really worth it. Like this, you’ll get a better image of the hull’s condition and fix anything that needs repair. Finally, remember to annually carry out anti-fouling and any re-painting or zinc replacement.

Raw Water Strainers and Freshwater Levels

Don’t forget to check your seas strainers! If you’re running your generator, heat/air conditioning, or anything that requires saltwater or raw cooling system to function, you might want to surveil your strainers. Furthermore, inspect the water flow on all of the raw water cooling systems. You have to see an easy flow of heating, Genset, refrigeration, and aircon cooling water out of the system. If the freshwater system, which is pressurized by an accumulator tank gets too low, then it throws the whole system out and thus it will not be working properly. So, it’s imperative that you never let your water tanks empty.

Electrics

As for the electrical system it is recommended to check it every month. Check the condition of the wires, if they’re neatly secured, dry, and inspect their casings to see if they are intact. However, there are some sailboats that have their generator running periodically to charge them up. So, keep an eye on your battery’s charge levels. Also, the electrical lines must be in good condition to keep the electrical system on your sailboat up and running. Any damaged lines could provoke a fire hazard. To prevent electrical lines from erosion, remember to keep them clean, and use a digital multimeter to make sure everything’s working properly.

Battery

Without the battery, which is the heart of your sailboat, the engine won’t start, nor the electrical components will work. So, take good care of the battery and check it once a year, or more often, i.e. during the boating season. Keep in mind that batteries naturally degrade over time, so this is a must task to perform. You can check the battery’s charge with a digital multimeter, and the connections for corrosion. Moreover, test the batteries and check if they’re clean and dry. There are sailboats that have solar and wind power that continuously tops up the batteries. Other sailboats depend on having the generator running periodically in order to charge them up.

Generator

In case you’re running the generator you will need to check its vitals at least once a week. So, check the oil, belt, water level, and inspect for leaks and loose connections. You can see the leaks easier if you keep the Genset clean.

Oil and Filter

Remember to regularly change the oil and oil filter. In case you don’t, then it is possible to provoke damage to the engine parts. In order to change the oil, let the engine run for about seven minutes, then turn it off. Subsequently, place a container under the drain plug. Take out the drain plug and loosen the screw that is located above. Then, let the oil drain out for about 30 minutes. During this process change also the oil filter. After the oil drains out, replace the drain plug and tighten the screw. Finally, fill the engine with the proper oil.

Fridge and Freezer Temperature

The effectiveness of a fridge often depends on the temperature of the sea. Many boat refrigeration systems get a charge over time which makes them less effective. Therefore they slowly reduce the temperature gauge. So, it is recommended to change the temperature gauge at least once a week. The temperature of the fridge has to be below 5 degrees and the freezer below freezing.

Sails and Rigging

Sails and rigging have to be checked at least once a month. Firstly, look out for any chaffing where the headsail sheets attach to the clew, and also to the traveller and boom vang. Secondly, examine thoroughly if there’s any wear on the mainsail. Then, check if the cotter pins and shroud are in place and in good condition. Finally, make sure that the turnbuckles and pelican hooks on the lifeline are in good condition.

Summary- Maintenance List

Your sailboat’s maintenance needs to be taken seriously. When you’re regularly maintaining your sailboat, you also ensure its life spanning. Some basic items that require constant maintenance are the generator, the battery, the plumbing, the bilge, oil, and the fridge and fluid levels, among others. However, there are others that require monthly or yearly maintenance, such as the engine, the electrical system, the sails and rigging, the propeller, zippers, hinges, upholstery, etc. In case you can’t repair or check the condition of these parts, then consider contacting a professional to help you with the maintenance process.