Boat maintenance or what yachts do when they aren't at sea

20.12.2022

Proper boat maintenance for a sailboat or a motor yacht is a very comprehensive list of things that need to be done. Professionalism and thoroughness are implied with the term "proper maintenance", and our team knows that.

To the untrained eye, sailboats and motorboats are just vessels to be chartered to have a good time and cruise around the Croatian Adriatic. But a lot happens behind the scenes, especially in a charter company with many vessels in its management. We have written before but more briefly about what is done for proper winter maintenance, but today we give you what is to be done regarding boat maintenance when the yachts are not "at sea".

Proper boat maintenance is crucial to us as their maintenance is an example of the quality of any charter and ours as well. But what do we do exactly when preparing our yachts for "hibernation"? It takes a lot of effort and teamwork to manage all of the vessels in our fleet to be superbly maintained as always.

Boat maintenance includes regular washing

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That is because, you know, salt in seawater damages boats, their hulls and equipment. The easiest way is to hose them down in peak season, but they require proper love and care from time to time. We usually thoroughly wash them by hand entirely.

The procedure is known for the yachts with natural teak; they must be adequately maintained. Yacht maintenance for the yacht with teak requires proper cleaning, clearing all the dirt and residue, and then proper oiling with teak oils. This oil gives teak exceptional shine and makes it look healthy and almost brand new. Teak wood is durable but only if properly taken care of it.

Cleaning is an essential part of any boat maintenance

Cleaning of a yacht, some may say, is not such an issue. It's not if you have professional and responsible cleaning staff as we do. But it really takes experience and training to clean such confined spaces quickly and thoroughly.

While cleaning, there is also something we do like to keep in mind, and that is the environment. We do our best to use cleaning supplies that are not harmful to humans and animals and don't harm our ecosystem. This level of awareness is not always present in all businesses, but we genuinely do try and take pride in it.

To clean a yacht during peak season between guest changes is stressful, but our crew does it superbly.

Cleaning a sailing yacht or a motor boat efficiently quickly is challenging, but we manage successfully. We use proper and special equipment for cleanings, such as microfiber cloths that don't damage the yacht surfaces and adequate cleaning products designed to clean and preserve sensitive materials and textiles.

Proper "closing time" before we close shop and send winter preparing for boat shows and next season, we do in a more relaxed manner. Yacht cleaning at the end of the sailing season is different. Boat maintenance, for the last time, is a job not to be taken lightly.
So even cleaning is done thoroughly. Our cleaning crew cleans every nook and cranny and deep cleans the matrasses and the upholstery.

Final cleaning is not so different than any proper house deep cleaning – it requires mops, sponges, cloths and non-abrasive cleaning supplies. But yacht cleaning also requires proper cleaning, disinfection and conserving supplies such as waxes and oils. And the cabins require mattress and seating area protections, oiling of the teak decks, tables and such.

The cleaning and maintenance crew ensure that all are appropriately stored, covered off and checked if anything is missing and needs to be compensated or repaired. Those things usually involve dishes, kitchen supplies, towels and sheets, pillows and cushions. Our yacht maintenance crew ensures all the windows and hatches all function correctly and, in the end, are adequately shut.

Boat maintenance requires proper examination before setting sail

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This part of our "to-do" list is crucial. Even the smallest item missed can do more damage in navigation later. There are some things that we do in charter management before winter and on regular basis, so that all of our guests can sail smoothly:

- Proper yacht examination before and after sailing
- Regular service of air conditioning
- Regular engine check-ups and services
- Electrical systems check-ups

In addition, safety equipment is regularly checked on yachts, fire equipment is rigorously examined, and their expiring dates are held under strict monitoring. These things are one of the most important, they can save lives and prevent injuries or damages, so we take them very seriously.

Yacht equipment and sails have their expiring date

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It's a generally known fact – the more you take care of certain things; they will last longer and perform better. This is true and even obligatory in boat maintenance, no matter what size or type of vessel we are talking about here.

All things have a life expectancy, and gear and equipment on yachts usually last:

- Boat engines and deck gear - from 15 to 20 years
- Yacht's electronics - up to 15 years
- Fire extinguisher – yearly supervision
- Yacht's rigging - 5-10 years
- Upholstery – up to 10 years
- Teak decks - 10-20 years
- Sails and canvas up to 10 years

With proper maintenance, sails can last up to 10 years. Our experience says that is not so. Yes, maybe for the yachts that we sail for a few weeks in each season.

But in the charter business, even with the most proper maintenance, sails last up to 2000 sailing hours. Experienced sailors have different opinions on the life expectancy of sails, but that also depends on how much care you put into your sails and your sailing technique. If you sail by the book and don't overstress your sails and manage them properly, they can last for years.

Most sails are made from synthetic fibres such as polyester or nylon or natural fibres such as cotton or even hemp. There is a long list of materials that sails are made from, but artificial materials are more common.

One thing that also prolongs sails' life is that they are stored properly after the sailing season is over. Keep in mind that a yacht will be moored in a marina most of the autumn and during the winter, waiting for the sunny days of spring. Their life expectancy can be prolonged if they are correctly stored while not in navigation or in a dry place. Leaving them on sailboats and improper storage soon makes them unusable.

Usually, sails are taken from sailboats, carefully examined and repaired if needed. The best way to sore them is to make sure they are clean and dry, roll them up, and then put them in storage where they aren't exposed to elements or pests.

All of this procedure goes again before the sailing season; everything is carefully examined, sails are put back on the masts, and boats are again cleaned, aired ad thoroughly washed.
So, yacht charter and boat maintenance are all year-round job, not only seasonal. But with proper management and crew, all can be done easily and efficiently.

If you need some advice about yacht maintenance or professional charter management, be sure to contact us.

 

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