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December 02, 2022 3 min read
Winter is a great time for boat maintenance, whether that be prepping for a winter series event or packing your boat away for the winter. Here are a few things we would recommend checking on your boat.
Covers have a life that will vary depending on how you care for them. Leaving them wet and screwed up on the ground and not attaching halyards to keep the water from pooling will damage the cover over time.
Make sure your cover is still keeping the water out. PVC covers are great for this but if they are damaged they can let water in and then it has no way back out. This water that is stuck inside can cause cracking and osmosis.
You should treat your trolley wheels with regular checks for punctures and cracks. The wheels are a vital part that gets your boat from the boat park to the water. So why not invest in high-quality wheels that will last? The last thing you want is a flat tyre slowing you down getting to the start of the race.
The mast step is one part you don't think to check very often. This is vital for performance and safety on the water. The last thing you want is the mast falling down while you are sailing. Recently I had a new mast on my boat. I kept rigging set up the same as the old mast and something wasn't right. The wear on the old mast to sit lower completely changed the rig. The new mast sat higher on the ball as the plate inside was smoother. Wear may seem harmless but you are giving performance and boat speed away.
Shrouds and bridal wires should be checked for loose strands and corrosion. Mast sheaves make sure they still run effectively and are not worn. Check for corrosion on mast fittings. Mast fittings are commonly riveted and bolted on, a quick check you can do is shake the fitting to feel if it is secured effectivly.
The last thing you want when sailing is for something to break. The Universal joint is your steering on the boat. It is made from rubber and will have a short life if not cared for correctly. Reasons they break:
Regular checks when attaching the rudder to see for any cracks is easy and doesn't take long. If you see a crack replace it. It is cheaper to replace a UJ over a new tiller extension if you lose it overboard when it breaks.
Small nicks may seem not to be slowing you down but they are.
Older wooden, GRP and Foam Filled Foils will take on water through even the smallest scuffs. The water can get inside and cause other damages to make the foils soft therefore decreasing the structural integrity and that may mean you have to replace the whole foil. As well as that the foil will become heavier and more prone to more damage from osmosis as the water tries to escape the foil.
These are just a few hints and tips of what you can check on your boat.
If you have any questions please get in touch with our team here at Sailing Chandlery.
I rang to request some advice on replacement parts for my dinghy and was very impressed with the excellent advice and efficient delivery of the required parts. Many thanks
Great product, safely packaged, delivered on time, at a competitive price. One more thing - the person on the end of the phone is an actual person, informative, helpful, knowledgeable and pleasant. What more could you ask for.
The sales team were quick responding to our questions, dispatched to us promptly, and the product is a perfect replacement for our old tiller which ended up at the bottom of a lake!
It was time for me to upgrade to a newer Ilca and it was recommended that I get a Devoti. The price was competitive and the service from Andrew and his team was fantastic. I received lots of communication and the boat was delivered to me within 2 weeks. It is really great that Sailing Chandlery take the time to set up the rigging so that you can get straight on the water. I am very pleased with my new boat and am loving sailing it. Thank you Sailing Chandlery!
Ordered a dyneema RSAero halyard on the Thursday. It arrived by mid day on the Friday and was used on the Saturday. Excellent product and service. Thank you
Cover arrived after three days and is well made and completely covers the boat boom up . The straps and clips all work fine. Good product.
My local chandlery were unable to supply a white inspection hatch and so it was amatter of looking online. Sailing Chandlery had the cover I needed in stock at a good price and delivery. I had never used them before but the service I received was excellent with the delivery on time and the hatch is now fitted.
I will definitely return, especially with the discounts on offer. Thank you Sailing Chandlery!
Always happy with my orders from Sailing Chandlery. They are quick to post and very helpful when I have had a question.
Jason delivered the boat on time at Hayling Island Sailing Club. The boat was new and all the spars were in perfect condition. Jason came to pick up the boat and return the deposit which I gave at the time of the delivery. Every interaction with Andrew and Jason were handled very professionally. I will recommend to any sailor Sailing Chandlery in the future. I really appreciated how easy it was to charter this boat. Thank you very much. Jacques Kerrest
Prompt delivery, with helpful updates and time slot spot on. Perfect new sail at a great price and the number fixing service is well worth it. It even won its first race! Thank you.
I needed GBR letters for the ILCA Europeans and they arrived by the next post.
I made a mistake on my order and it was put right at zero cost to me ! Amazing !
I’ll certainly be back
Product exactly what I wanted
Excellent service and prompt delivery.
Had the boom and mast in stock. Order processed quickly, great service and local so could pick them up. Friendly and helpful staff as always. Thank you
Delivered on time after chatting by phone to a very helpful person at Sailing chandlery. Absolutely no complaint with this Company and will continue to use them for my sailing needs.
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