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

Oh Yeah,,, that’s what I’m talking about. This ‘instant-reward’ maintenance is the type I actually like

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”
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

Done. Miller Time! the cocktail hour is upon us : ) The chain will lay out over night and be brought back onboard the next morning

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
Varnishing
To get the ‘look’ takes a bit of work; it’s what I’m hearing. The CPJ team commence another 6 monthly
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.