The following checklist for laying up your boat is adapted from
Nigel Calder’s invaluable Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical
Manual (Model 420323).
- Change the engine oil,
transmission oil and antifreeze.
- Drain the
raw water system, taking particular care to empty all low spots.
Remove rubber pump impellers, lightly grease with petroleum jelly
and replace. Leave the pump cover screws loose so that impellers
won’t stick in the pump housings. Run the engine for a few seconds
to drive any remaining water out of the exhaust. Wash salt crystals
out of any vented loops.
- Check the
primary fuel filter and fuel tank for water and sediment. Keep
a diesel tank full to cut down on condensation.
- Squirt some
oil into the inlet manifold and turn the engine over a few times
(without starting) to spread the oil over cylinder walls.
- Grease all
grease points.
- Remove the
inner wires of all engine control cables from their outer sheaths;
clean, inspect, grease, and replace. Check the sheathing.
- Seal all
openings into the engine (e.g., air, inlet, exhaust) and the fuel
tank vent. Put a conspicuous notice somewhere so you remember
to unseal everything at the start of next season.
- Inspect all
hoses for signs of softening, cracking and/or bulging.
- If hauling
out: Check for propeller blade misalignment and Cutlass bearing
wear; tighten any strut mounting bolts; inspect stainless steel
prop shafts for crevice corrosion; remove prop nut to check under
it.
Batteries
- Bring to
a full charge. Equalize flooded batteries. Top up. Clean the battery
tops. Unless the batteries are being properly float charged (via
a solar panel or battery charger with float regulation) remove from
the boat and store in a cool, dry place. Bring flooded batteries to
a full charge once a month.
Electronics
and Electrical Circuits
- Remove electronic
equipment to a warm, dry place.
- Clean corrosion
off all electrical terminals and connections and protect with
petroleum jelly or a shot of WD-40
or other moisture-dispelling aerosol. Pay attention to all external
outlets, especially the AC shorepower socket.
Toilets
- Drain and/or
pump system with 30% to 50% antifreeze.
Break loose the discharge hose and check for calcification. Wash
out vented loops.
Freshwater Systems
- Pump out
and clean tanks. Drain system and/or pump through a 30% to 50%
propylene glycol antifreeze solution. Use a water heater bypass,
if applicable. Inspect pumps (especially vane and flexible impeller
types) for wear. Remove flexible impellers, lightly grease (with
a Teflon-based grease), and reinstall.
Stuffing Boxes
- If hauling
out, repack. If wintering in the water, tighten down to stop any
drip. Be sure to loosen before reusing the propeller or the shaft
will overheat.
Seacocks
- If hauling
out, pull and grease all seacock plugs if possible. Dismantle
and grease gate valves. If wintering in the water, close seacocks
(except cockpit drains) and closely inspect cockpit drain hoses
and clamps.
Stoves
- Drain a little
fuel from kerosene and/or alcohol tanks and check for water and
contaminants. Close LPG or CNG gas valves at the cylinder. Renew
filaments on filament-type igniters at least every two years.
Steering
- Cable steering:
Remove cables from conduits, then clean, inspect, grease, and
replace them. Also, check sheave mountings and clean, inspect,
and lubricate cable ends. Rack-and-pinion steering: Remove top
plate and input socket screws; clean, grease and replace. Hydraulic
steering: Top off fluid
and check all seals and hoses for leaks and/or damage.
Compasses
- Remove all oil
filled compasses from the boat and store in warm environment.
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