Research to find a Yard:
□ Check www.noonsite.com for recommendations and contacts
□ Check Seven Seas Cruising Association, HR Users Group, and UK Cruising Association for information
□ Ask local sailors or other cruising yachties for recommendations
What to look for in a Yard:
□ Well managed office and yard with a paved, fenced, and guarded storage compound
□ Travelift and cradle rated 15 tons or more
□ Insurance policy that will cover damage to boat if they drop it, run into it, or it blows over
□ Shelter from prevailing or unusual storm winds
□ Separate spray booth so boat does not get covered in overspray
□ Steel cradles with adjustable arms, not screw jacks and 55 gallon drums with wedges
□ Nearby yacht services including sail, engine, and rigging repair
□ Ask when busiest season is and avoid it if possible
□ Availability of guardian services
□ Ask Yard to show exact location of where boat will be stored to ensure it is suitable. Best place is out of regular traffic pattern of the Travelift and protected from strong winds from any direction.
Winter Storage
Before Haul Out:
□ As you go through the boat, update
o Wish list of equipment and supplies to purchase and bring to the boat in the spring
o Inventory of all items on board
□ Collect contact information
o Yard
o Guardian
o Support services – sail service, engine service, rig tuner, etc.
□ Cover boat with canvas cover to protect from sun, dirt, and overspray and keep it cooler
□ Clean and inspect anchor chain and anchors
o If rusty, regalvanize ASAP
o Remark anchor chain lengths if lost or faded
□ Clear decks of as many removable items as possible – BBQ, anchors, life raft, outboard, life sling, life buoy, stern anchor bracket, etc.
□ Engine
o Lubricate throttle and shift linkage and cables
o Check belt for wear and tension
o Change engine oil & filter
o Change transmission fluid if due (Next due 2012)
o Change fuel filters – primary and Racor. Check Racor for water or sediment.
o Drain, flush & replace coolant (Next due 2013)
o Clean or replace air cleaner
o Flag anything that needs attention in the spring
o Thoroughly clean engine exterior
o Place new oil sorb sheets under engine
o Find local Volvo engine service station and schedule spring service
□ Electrical
o Check battery fluid levels
o Fully charge all batteries
o Check that all navigation lights are working. Inspect for water ingress. Remove bulbs and lubricate terminals with Vaseline.
□ Interior
o Curtains, cushions, covers: Launder all interior fabrics
o Galley: Clean galley cupboards and lockers. Throw out or give away all perishable food
o Lockers: Go through all lockers and remove any items that are not essential to have on board. Remove all cardboard and newspaper.
o Wipe all interior surfaces
□ Liferaft – Find repacking service center and schedule repack for spring if due (Next due 2012)
□ Medical – Check medical kit and note any expiration dates. Check local prices for needed items to compare with U. S. prices. Purchase where cheapest and bring to boat in spring.
□ Outboard motor
o Wash engine exterior.
o Flush cooling water system with fresh water. Drain completely. Wipe off any surface water with an oily rag.
o Use a dry cloth to completely wipe off water and salt from electrical components.
o Drain all fuel from fuel hoses, fuel pump, and carburetor and clean these parts.
o Remove spark plugs and spray storage oil through spark plug hole while slowly turning motor over using recoil starter.
o Drain and replace lower unit gear oil. Store in upright position.
o Drain and replace engine oil
o Apply grease to propeller shaft, sliding parts, joints, nuts, bolts
o Store vertically
□ Rigging
o Standing rigging
§ Inspect all sheaves, swages, split pins, turnbuckles, chainplates, stemhead fittings, masthead lights, and spreader mounts for wear and tear, corrosion, cracked tangs, worn or broken pins, etc.
§ Go up the mast to perform thorough rig check of all fittings, welds, spreaders, lights, halyards, cotter pins, turnbuckles, sheaves, swages, and wire.
§ Flush all moving parts with fresh water
§ Lubricate upper furling swivel, track and masthead sheaves
§ Find local rigging service and book spring tuning
o Running rigging
§ Substitute halyards, reefing lines, and furling lines with messenger lines to prolong their life
§ Inspect all running rigging for chafe and mark halyards to ensure end-for-end installation in spring
§ Wash and dry all lines. Fill tender with water and dish soap, soak lines, then lay them out to dry
□ Sails
o Remove all sails – hand wash, rinse well, air dry, inspect and fold. Store in a dry place.
o Find a local sailmaker and book inspection and repair if due (Next due 2011)
o Review sail repair kit and note items needing replenishment
□ Polish SS fall and spring
□ Systems
o Flush bilge with fresh water
o Fill propane tanks and disconnect hoses
o Flush the refrigeration cooling system with fresh water
□ Tanks/Plumbing
o Fill fuel tanks and add bacteriacide
o Flush holding tanks with water; add vinegar to break down scale. Lubricate valves.
o Flush water tanks and bleach tank and hoses
o Treat head plumbing with vinegar, then flush fresh water through plumbing and end with cooking oil to lubricate pump.
□ Valuables
o Remove Furuno chartplotter from cockpit and store in saloon locker
o Place any small items in safe
□ Show lift operator ideal strap placement. Disconnect forestay or backstay if necessary.
After Hauling:
□ Inspect bottom paint for condition and performance. Then, pressure wash hull.
□ Rudder/Keel/Prop
o Give the rudder a shake in all directions to check for play in bearings
o Check for play in prop shaft
o Check for weeping at the keel join as the boat is laid down – a sign that keel bolts may need tightening
□ Engine
o Flush engine for at least 20 minutes by disconnecting raw water intake hose from the thru-hull and placing it in a large bucket with fresh water supplied by a hose
o In the last few minutes before shutting off the engine, pour 2 – 4 quarts of coolant (anti-freeze) into the bucket and shut off the engine before the last of the fluid is gone. Catch exhaust fluid and dispose of properly.
o Spray engine with WD40 and leave a cloth over it to minimize condensation
o Plug air inlet and exhaust outlet with oil soaked rag to prevent dirt and moisture ingress.
□ Electrical
o Remove battery cables
o Apply Vaseline to all battery posts and cables
o Turn off Mastervolt unit
o Turn off all panel switches
o Set up trickle charger – remove batteries to indoor location if possible
□ Deck/Interior
o Prop up all cushions and pads
o Leave all locker and refrigerator/freezer doors ajar
o Leave cockpit locker and aft lazarette doors slightly ajar
o Leave out roach and ant bait
□ Plumbing
o Disconnect and drain all pipes, pumps, and the calorifier to prevent freezing
o Recheck final drain and flush of fresh water tank and holding tank
o Disconnect hoses from “skin” fittings to let them “breathe” and ventilate the cabin
o Drain water from hoses in cockpit and aft lockers – swim step fresh water hose, salt water deck hose, fresh water “garden” hose
□ Thru Hulls
o Cycle and lubricate each thru-hull valve
o Every seven years, replace head, galley and engine intake thru-hulls and valves and all related plumbing (Next due 2016)
o Replace all corroded thru-hulls
o Remove and clean impeller for knot meter
□ Dry bilges thoroughly. Leave absorbent material in bilge to soak up condensation.
□ Set up dehumidifier and heater if needed. Thermostat on 8 degrees Celsius.
□ Shore safety – Check the safety of shores and props, including those of neighboring boats. Don’t tie tarpaulins or canvas covers to shores.
□ Record stowage
o Photograph everything for insurance purposes – cradle, cover, interior, and position of boat in Yard
o Send insurance company a note and copy of photographs with future plans
□ Provide instructions to Guardian:
o Turn engine over every month w/o starting it. Free air and exhaust ports first.
o Check that battery trickle charger is functioning properly
o Check that dehumidifier and heater are functioning properly
o Check that canvas cover is securely attached
o Perform overall visual inspection
Spring Recommissioning
Before launching:
□ Antifoul the bottom
□ Wax and polish topsides
□ Replace zinc anodes
□ Inspect rudder. Grease rudder bearing.
□ Check and lubricate steering system linkage
□ Replace raw water pump impeller
□ Clean, polish, and lubricate propeller
□ Reconnect and tighten battery cables
□ Test run engine with intake host in a bucket
□ Check thru-hulls and hose clamps
After launching:
□ Check bilge for leaks
□ Cleaning
o Scrub decks. Clean and wax cabin gelcoat.
o Boracol teak decks
o Clean and lubricate winches
□ Systems
o Check anchor windlass operation
o Reinstall knot meter impeller
o Flush and fill water tanks
o Check bow thruster oil
□ Rigging
o Go up mast and perform a thorough rig check of all fittings and welds, spreaders, lights, halyards, cotter pins, turnbuckles, sheaves, swages and wire.
o Lubricate Selden in-mast furler, including mastbase, upper furling swivel, track, and masthead sheaves.
o Bring in professional rig tuner for final adjustments
o Grease and clean any winches not done in the fall
□ Sails – Bend on sails
□ Safety equipment
o Check ditch bag and signal flare container contents. Replace or replenish as needed.
o Service fire extinguishers
o Check PFD arming mechanisms. Have PFDs professionally inspected and serviced if due (Next due 201?)
o Test EPIRB and PLB. Service if needed.
o Check medical kit. Replenish as appropriate.
□ Interior
o Steam clean carpets and cushions
o Provision galley
□ Engine – Secure services of Volvo certified technician
o Adjust valves
o Tighten head bolts if required
o Align engine once back in water and mast tuned
o Check belt tension
o Service fuel injectors
o Check charging system
o Rebuild starter motor and alternator every seven years or 5,000 hours
Take a test sail or two before leaving for the season
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