Checklist - winter storage and spring awakening
Here is a practical and helpful checklist of things that should be checked during the winter to ensure your yacht is ready for the spring.
EXTERIOR
– Contamination/damage
– Hairline cracks and other damage
– Polishing/conservation
UNDERWATER HULL
– Presence of barnacles and algae
– Damage
– Osmosis
– Antifouling adhesion/painting
KEEL
– Exterior keel-hull joint
– Interior keel bolts
– Keel sole
– Paint adhesion/corrosion
STEERING SYSTEM
– Watertightness
– Rudder shafts and skeg bearing
– Colour coating
– Damage/lower edge
– Mechanics/ease of movement
– Wire rope hoists/play
– Quadrant
– Screws
STERN TUBE/SHAFT
– Bearing play
– Water inlet/watertightness
– Support and shaft bearing
PROPELLER
– Damage
– Joint to the shaft
– Surface/coating
– Gears
– Folding mechanism
– Screws
SAILDRIVE
– Oil check
– Saildrive shaft
– Rubber cuff
– Water inlet/filter
BOW THRUSTER
– Run-out
– Running noise
– Condition of propeller
– Propeller mechanics
SACRIFICIAL ANODES (specific for saltwater or freshwater)
– On the propeller
– On the hull
– On the shaft
– On the saildrive
– On the oar blade
DECK/FITTINGS
– Cleats and fairleads
– Fans
– Hatches and windows
– Filling valves (water/diesel)
– Deck coating/teak deck
– Storage locker/lid
– Bilge pipes
– Winches/clips
– Travellers
– Pulleys
– Handrails
– Foot rails/screws
– Rail (supports/tensioner/wire)
– Anchor (chain/line/winch/joint)
CHAIN PLATES
– Screws
– Hull joints
– Watertightness
– Hairline cracks
RIG
– Sail
– Furling system
– Mast/mast step/masthead
– Spreader
– Moving/fixed object
– Spinnaker/gennaker pole
– Tarpaulins/cockpit tent
ENGINE
– Engine and gear oil
– Filter
– Impeller
– V-belt
– Water separator
– Fuel system
– Cooling system/dual circuit/sea circuit
– Exhaust system
– Screws
– Flange/coupling
– Oscillating elements
– Engine room ventilation
– Acoustic insulation
– Alternator/regulator
ELECTRICS/ELECTRONICS
– Battery
– Fuses
– Cabling
– Plug connections
– Circuit breaker
– Interior lighting
– Deck/navigation lighting
– Radio/navigation equipment
– Speedometer
– Sonar
– Wind gauge
– Refrigerator
– On-board heating
– Charger
GAS SYSTEM
– Cooker/oven
– Sealing
– Screws
– Ventilation of the gas cylinder box
– E-remote switch
– Pressure regulator
– Master switch
– Gas warning alarm
– Certification mark
SEACOCKS
– Firm seat
– Dissolving of zinc
– Ease of movement
– Watertightness
– Hose attachments
WATER/SANITATION
– Hoses and clamps
– Bilge pump
– Waste tank
– Water tank
– Water pipe system
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
– Fire extinguisher
– Distress flares
– Life jackets
– Life rafts