Many people dream of owning their own boat. Some of them love fishing, others enjoy wake boarding and water skiing, and some simply want a special place to share with their family and friends. Whatever the reason is, boat ownership is great opportunity for reach the dreams, but are you thinking about the cost, the repayment plans, or the cost of maintenance?

Before you take an action, take into consideration all the costs of owning and operating a boat to avoid drowning in debt.

Let's take a look what does is included in maintenance a mid-sized sailing boat in the 30- to 45-foot range? There are as many answers as there are boats, but from our experience as experts in charter industry we can give you some important details on boat ownership.

The maintenance for your sailing boat should go through some phases: regular annual maintenance, seasonal maintenance (preparing the boat for charter), winter service and spring service (before the first charter).

Regular annual maintenance on a boat is variable item that depends on the type of boat, the usage, and how much you’re willing to do yourself. Every boat kept in the water needs to have a coating of bottom paint, which contains substances to prevent the growth of barnacles, and this needs to be renewed every year.

Winter service

Winter service includes dry dock washing, anti-fouling and hull polishing. It is also important to inspect the boat for corrosion or damage, and put in a dry place the Bimini and Sprayhood. All systems should be greased, the water tanks and water installations disinfected, and the electrical system should be checked.

Also, while boat is on dry dock you should check all the valves and drains.
 

Sails are some of the most expensive and vulnerable equipment on any sailing yacht, so it’s important to look after them carefully. Thoughtful care and little effort can extend the life of sails and maintain their performance. Most sail makers estimate a minimum of five years of normal sailing (or one to two years of hard racing) before replacement is needed. But also, some repairs are needed during the year. Modern sail materials are resistant to damp and salt but during winter service process is good to rinse the sails anyway. Salt does hold moisture in the cloth and older sails may start to break down.

The engines will need regular tune-ups and oil changes, which are done right in your slip by mechanics specializing in yachts. Change your boat's oil should be done regularly. Four-stroke outboards, inboards and stern drive boats require regular oil changes. The frequency will vary by model, but a good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 100 hours of operation or at least once a year.

Checking the propeller. Removing the propeller should be done several times during the season to make sure discarded fishing line hasn’t become wrapped around the propeller shaft. While we have the propeller off, should inspect it for nicks, dents and other signs of damage. It’s OK if prop is missing paint, but should be repaired if you find signs of impact.

Checking all electronical devices on boat should be done by experts as all other boat equipment as mast, rigs, steering wheel mechanism.

Everything above is only what is really necessary in yearly maintenance plan, but as we already mentioned, there are as many answers as boats are, and every boat is story for itself. One is sure, you should keep an eye on a lot of small details on your boat which you cannot put in this post.

To find out more about our yacht management services, or if you want to speak to an expert, contact us today!