Coastal - Maintenance Master List

Master Maintenance List - Daysailing

This master maintenance list is a composite of all of the individual maintenance topics for daysailing boats.

You can use this checklist as a guide for a mid-season check or before taking the boat on vacation. A complete check of the boat should take 4 - 8 hours, time well spent.

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Daysailing Inspection & Maintenance

	Item	Link to Detail
Anchoring Gear
	Inspect anchor and rode for any chafe, corrosion or other damage. Make sure that shackles are wired shut with monel wire.

Collision Avoidance
	Check to see that binoculars are in good working order with clean lenses.
	Check mountings on radar reflector(s) for chafe and make sure they're secure enough to withstand high winds. Make sure that radar reflectors are not chafing sails.
	Verify that running lights are operational. Remove covers, clean out moisture and corrosion, grease contacts and bulb bases with dielectric grease and reassemble.
	Handheld spotlight is charged (cordless).
	Verfy that the foghorn is operational. Handheld air horn should have a spare can of air.
Communication
	Handheld VHF is charged. Spare battery pack is charged or has fresh batteries in it. Radio check shows handheld to be functional.
	VHF radio check; radio is operational and can send/receive messages to a station at least 8 miles distant.
Crew Safety
	Inspect PFDs for wear or damage. If using inflatable PFDs, verify that the CO2 cylinder is armed. Strobe and whistle are attached to PFD. Inflatable PFD's should be inflated annually and left for 48 hours to verify that they're not leaking.
	Replace batteries in PFD strobes if more than 1 year old.
Dewatering
	Clean bilge of any debris that may jam the bilge pump; clean the bilge pump screen ; clear limber holes
	Verify that manaual bilge pump and/or bucket are ready for immediate use
Electrical
	Check battery fluid level and top off if necessary.
	Inspect battery terminals for corrosion; clean as necessary and apply dielectric grease. Check connections to make sure they are tight.
Fire Fighting
	Check pressure gauges on fire extinguisher. Replace those that show signs of leakage.
	Turn dri-chem extinguishers upside down and shake vigorously to loosen up power inside.
First Aid
	Review items in first aid kit. Replace outdated items as necessary. Replenish items that have been used.
Generate Electricity
	Shoreside battery charger (if installed) is correctly charging battery .
Hull / Underwater Maintenance & Inspection
	If you store the boat in an area where fouling occurs quicklly, send a diver down to clean the bottom, rudder and prop.
	Have the diver check your shaft/prop zinc(s) while he's cleaning the bottom. Replace as necessary.
	Check raw water intake - clear any barnacles or debris
	Check cutlass bearing for wear by attempting to wiggle the propshaft - more than 1/8" of play is too worn
Misc.
	Consider a membership to BOAT/US iIf you're not already a member. Their towing assistance package will save you a considerable sum of money if you need assistance.	BOAT/US Website

MOB Gear
	Check battery in MOB pole strobe - replace if more than 1 year old. Write date on battery with a magic marker. Check strobe for proper operation and water tight integrity by placing it in the water.
	Check MOB pole for ease of deployment. Polypropylene line on MOB may need replacement (annually) if damaged by UV light.
	Check batteries in PFD strobes - replace if more than 1 year old. Check strobes for proper operation.
	Lifesling or similar MOB retrieval device is in good shape and ready for immediate deployment. Line will run free with no tangling.
	Type IV throwable PFD's (2) in cockpit are in good shape, not damaged from being used as cushions.
	Dye marker packets (4) are ready for immediate use in cockpit.
	Helmsman's pouch containing strobe, dye marker and flares is ready for immediate use. Flares are in service date.
Motoring
	Inspect engine and perform recommended maintenance	Outboard maintenance checklist
	Inspect tank, hoses, connections for any signs of leaks
	Clean fuel tank(s) of any sludge or debris.
	Never store gas tank below decks or in an unvented cockpit locker.
	Change inline filter (if installed)
Navigation
	Binoculars are in good working order with clean lenses.
	Compass - Ship's compass checked for accuracy and has been adjusted if necessary.
	Compass - Hand-held compass has been checked for accuracy
	Charts - up to date	NOAA Chart Index
	GPS (if used) works properly. 2nd set of batteries are on board
	Tide tables (e.g. Eldridge Almanac for East Coast) are up to date.
	Tools for paper-based navigation - pencils, eraser, dividers, protractor, parallel rules or rolling rule, calculator are readily available
Sails and Rigging
Running Rigging Inspection & Maintenance
	Turn halyards and sheets end-for-end if you haven't done so for a year or so. You'll get more life out of these lines and they'll work better.
	All winches operate smoothly. Disassemble and lubricate any that don't.
	Whisker pole fittings move freely. Trigger ends on whisker pole move freely.
	Jib sheets should be tied with bowlines with the end seized to the standing part. Don't use a clove hitch and a single sheet - it's a single point of failure.
	Jib roller - flush out bearings with fresh water. Examine reefing line for chafe. Check rigging and make sure that cotter pins or lock rings are in place.
	Examine jib furling gear to make sure there's no chafe, especially on the short piece of the jib halyard extending from the masthead sheave to the head of the jib.

	Mainsail reefing - flush out blocks with fresh water. Examine reef lines for chafe. Check rigging and make sure that cotter pins or lock rings are in place.

Standing Rigging Inspection & Maintenance
	Inspect all fittings to make sure cotter pins and/or seizing wire is in place
	Inspect all standing rigging fittings; examine swages for cracks.
	Make sure that clevis pins are of the proper diameter - should be the same size as the hole, not smaller in diameter.
	Inspect all wire-end terminals for evidence of cracks or other damage. Replace any suspect fittings.
	Adjust tension on stays and shrouds according to manufacturers specs. You'll repeat this process after your sea trial / shakedown cruise.
	Inspect chain plate bedding after you've tuned the rig. Rebed if necessary or if bedding is more than 3 years old.
	Note: do NOT tape turnbuckles as many people do. This causes corrosion when oxygen is cut off from stainless steel.
	Check spreader bases to make sure they're fastened securely to the mast.
	Examine mainsail track; clean and lubricate with a dry silicone spray if necessary.
Ship's Papers / Regulatory Items
State Licensing
	State registration numbers are displayed on the boat, and the certificate of state registration is aboard
Steering
	Inspect all steering hardware: linkages, cables, sheaves, etc. Look for evidence of wear or damage. Replace any suspect parts. Lubricate key points as applicable.
	Inspect rudder to make sure it's not damaged.
USCG Required Items - Subject to inspection during a boarding
	Horn or other sound producing device is operational
	MSD - head cannot discharge directly overboard in US waters.
	See also items under Ships Papers
	Running lights are operational
	At least one PFD for each crew and one throwable are on board.
	Visual distress signals are up to date (at least 3)

Weather
	VHF radio is successfully receiving weather reports.

Links to Outside Resources

Click here for a list of links to how to articles that will help you with your maintenance tasks.

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