Online course Coastal Navigation

Boat Maintenance Checklist

Below you will find an example of a boat maintenance checklist for safety and maintenance for a pleasure yacht. Every boat is different, so you would need to create a boat maintenance checklist for your own yacht using the maintenance schedules in the manuals. Also check the manual for spare parts and specific tools that are recommended to keep onboard.

General

Check the OFFSHORE SPECIAL REGULATIONS (Quarterly)
Check / certify fire extinguishers (Yearly)
Test smoke alarms and replace batteries before start of the season (Monthly)
Life raft (service every 3 years)
Life jackets (service every 2 years)
Test EPIRB, AIS-SART, SAT phone (Monthly)
Service John Buoy (When needed)
Test VHF (Weekly)
Test and charge handheld VHF’s (Weekly)
Test if bilge pumps automatically switch on and work (1st and 2d level) (Monthly)
Test and charge search light and torches, replace batteries (Weekly)

Drills

Abandon ship drill (Quarterly)
Fire drill (Quarterly)
Man overboard drill (Quarterly)

Certifications

Medical certificate (When needed)
Skippers license (When needed)
STWC (When needed)
Yacht Insurance (Yearly)
Certificate of Registry (When needed)
Licenses and registration GMDSS (Yearly)

Navigation

Check / Update paper charts and Nautical Almanacs (Weekly)
Update digital charts (Monthly)
Update software Garmin / B&G, etc. (Quarterly)
Check navigation lights (Monthly)

Rigging & sails

Check terminals, etc. up in the mast (Monthly)
Check guard wires (Weekly)
Check oil hydraulic system (Monthly)
Service hydraulics by manufacturer if needed (When needed)
Take sails to a sailmaker for general check (Yearly)
Check manual for spare parts: Belt for furling system, Sail Repair Kit, shackles, etc

Main engine

Check coolant (Daily)
Check water pump belts and the alternator (Daily)
Check fuel (Daily)
Check oil in engine : for example 15 / 40 (Daily)
Check oil in gearbox (gear box transmission oil) (Monthly)
Check / clean water strainer (Daily)
Check and change filters (When needed)
Check fuel tank for dirt / water (Quarterly)
Check manual for spare parts: Racor filter, engine oil filter, oil, impellor, belts, coolant, fuel filter, washers, etc.

Generator

Check coolant (Weekly)
Check oil (Weekly)
Clean strainer (Weekly)
Check maintenance schedule in manual (When needed)
Service (for example every 150hrs) (When needed)
Check manual for spare parts

Electrical System

Check / charge service batteries (Daily)
Check / charge batteries engine and generator (Weekly)
Check with test button if breakers are working (Monthly)
Check manual for spare parts: Spare fuses, etc.

Steering

Check hydraulic oil autopilot (Monthly)
Check pump autopilot (Monthly)
Check grease steering construction (Biannual)

Watermaker

Run / wash watermaker (even if you don’t need water) (Weekly)
5 micron filter (When needed)
Bleed the system periodically. (When needed)
Rinse with 2 types of chemicals and fresh water to winterize, replace filters (Yearly)

Decks and hull

Inspect underwatership, prop, rudder and keel (Monthly)
Wash (spray vinegar to remove salt) (Daily)
Boat wash and wax with sponge (Weekly)
Clean Lockers, lazarette (Monthly)
Teak cleaner (Yearly)
Polish stainless steel with polishing cream (Monthly)
Clean waterline and hull (Monthly)
Replace electronics push buttons whiches (Yearly)
Antifouling and polish hull (Yearly)
Polish hatches to remove scratches (Monthly)
Clean front-vu, log, dept sounder (Quarterly)
Anodes Bowtruster (Yearly)
Anodes Prop shaft (Yearly)
Anodes Gori prop (Yearly)
Check oil anchor winch (Yearly)

Interior

Gasbottles (Weekly)
Water (Daily)
Check / clean strainer manifold (Monthly)
Clean grey water filters showers (Monthly)
Check gas Airconditioning (Yearly)
Clean air filters Airconditioning (Yearly)

Tender

Check fuel outboard engine in engine and in fuel can (Weekly)
Check / charge battery of tender (Weekly)
Replace water separator / filter every 100hrs or 1 year (When needed)
Outboard engine service (Yearly)
Check spare parts: filter, prop

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