How Ship Shape Is Your Boat?
Author: Wiley Nautical
The sailing season may seem a long way off, but now is the perfect time to start your preparations for a summer at sea. Here are five handy tips with suggestions for further reading:
1. It’s easy to overlook, but updating your paper charts is an essential part of good seamanship. Take advantage of the long nights to make sure any corrections are made. Go to the UKHO site to search by chart number. There’s plenty more practical advice in Understanding Nautical Charts by Paul Boissier.
2. Don’t forget your safety kit. Pull open your lifejackets and manually inflate, check that the cylinder is in good condition and properly screwed in. Indicators will show you if the firing mechanism needs replacing. First aid kits can be easily overlooked too and won’t be much use if you don’t know how to use them - First Aid Afloat by Sandra Roberts is written for yachtsmen and should be onboard every boat.
3. If you rig has stayed up over winter it will need adjusting once you get afloat again. Don’t forget to check split pins and shackles to make sure they can’t come undone or rip sails. Why not become an expert in getting the most from your sails with Sail and Rig Tuning by Ivar Dedekam? Clear diagrams and step by step instructions show you how.
4. If you are feeling really brave, then why not overhaul the heads! Better to do it in the off-season than spoil a summer cruise. Pat Manley takes you through each step with plenty of photos to show you how in Simple Boat Maintenance.
5. Mechanical failure causes the majority of RNLI call outs so make sure your engine is in good order. Replace the impellor before recommissioning and ensure you have adequate spares. Once again, Simple Boat Maintenance will show you how, along with dozens of other practical tips to ensure your craft is ready for the new season.
