Maintenance
You may wonder what goes into keeping your boat ship-shape? Well, I followed Julie around for the last few years and this is what goes into it. Typically not so big to be called ‘Projects’, though a crucial component of boat ownership. Many maintenance tasks are actually created when Boat-Cleaning is carried out, and this has become an important component of our maintenance regime. Jay Nem (CPJ – Cleaning Product Junkie) is the ‘go-to’ source for all boat-things that shine. (Tell you the truth, it’s all a labour of love ; )
We’re slowly gathering it all together, and should have everything posted by the end of October (2015). You’ll know when this page is up-to-date, when I remove this sentence. ; ) Please check-in soon.
5. Underwater Maintenance / Prop Cleaning
Keeping the Stainless Steel shiny
this sort of grime accumulates regularly. Perhaps we can go a month before we hit it again
Oh Yeah,,, that’s what I’m talking about. This ‘instant-reward’ maintenance is the type I actually like
Dorade vent on top of Pilot House deckhead – out of site – out of mind?
Not a chance! CPJ has gone over every piece of stainless steel onboard INFINITY with a toothbrush. No, I’m not joking. Our 14 year-old Nordhavn shines like new.
CPJ, Harley & I, dinghied over to N62 Pendana one fine morning for coffee & stickies. The conversation rolled around to the days’ chores ahead. James pondered his awkward stainless projects, declaring an unlikely resolution. CPJ accepted the challenge,,, and Ta-Dah!
What happened here? Two weeks in Hilo Harbor at anchor. Upon reflection, we believe the Volcanic sulphur caused this corrosion. No matter, CPJ made this a relatively easy task to get things back to gleaming-shiny again.
Maintaining things “Just so”
we enjoy seeing the aft end in good order
Spotless Stainless | Brush On, Rinse Off Rust – this is what is so attractive about the product, no polishing needed!
Bi-annual Anchor Chain service
Every two years we remove the anchor chain from the boat and inspect all components of the ground-tackle system. I lash the anchor to the forward rail, disconnect the chain, and then power-down the chain to the quayside. Hand-over-hand, it’s laid out and inspected for wear-&-tear. The chain is then blue-steeled at the anchor end, and color-coded for appropriate depths. I like (need) to keep things simple, so our depth markings are:
100′ = red
200′ = white
300′ = red/white
380′ = several ‘day-glo’ tie-wraps
the chain is laid out / close visual inspection ensues
short pow-wow, then the chain-gang starts the day’s work
first coat
second coat, and chain-gang still smiling (almost)
the hardest woking, most professional team I’ve ever worked with
Done. Miller Time! the cocktail hour is upon us : ) The chain will lay out over night and be brought back onboard the next morning
loaded onboard INFINITY’s chain locker
It just gives me satisfaction looking at it. Every time that anchor goes over-the-side, I know every inch has been inspected and will serve us well. Feels good.
Dinghy Cleaning
just one month
yep,,, just 4 short weeks in the water is all it took for this disaster. I took 4 Xanax.
I considered crying,,, then called CPJ
Jay got stuck-in, & outlined the program for the day.
I couldn’t believe it either,, but I was happy
Very Happy!
freakin’ gleamin! Few beers on the upper aft deck that night.
Varnishing
To get the ‘look’ takes a bit of work; it’s what I’m hearing. The CPJ team commence another 6 monthly
“let’s buy a boat” he says,,,,, “it will be fun” he says……. b#*^%$*
Underwater Maintenance / Prop Cleaning
Every 2-3 months, you’ve got to get in the water and clean the prop yourself,,, (best way). I found a 12v tool specifically designed for the task, and it’s been doing a great job so far. The tool, a Wave Blade, may leave a barnacle ‘footprint’ behind but will take the prop down to a ultra-smooth finish. Fuel burn turns to ‘exemplary’ standard once it’s been done.