As the winter cold thaws and warmer days loom, it is time to plan a way of getting your boat ready for another season on the water. Your vessel might need some attention after being dormant throughout winter to ensure that it is running perfectly.
Here's a comprehensive guide on what you should do with your boat when it has been unused during winter, which includes everything from making sure your rigging is okay to insurance matters.
Checking the standing rigging is one of the most important things to do after a winter. For safe sailing, it is vital that your rigging be in good shape. Stainless steel rigging, however, requires more than just checking its age, unlike synthetic rigging, which may have a recommended lifespan.
Some of these factors include the original quality of the rigging and how you use your boat. Great rigging from well-known makers can extend its life, but continuous sailing, particularly racing hard, causes metal fatigue. When doing less boating, too, inactive periods still expose the gear to wind and wave loads.
Inspecting the rigging visually regularly is a strategy to curb any failures in it. Some of the pointers you should look out for include terminals and swages that have rust, corrosion, or powdery residues around them.
Run your fingers along the wire, feeling for deformities that indicate broken strands. It might be wise to do non-destructive testing or dye surveys for a more extensive review, especially if your rigging is near its design life.
Remember, as you embark on your post-winter boat preparations, that safety and enjoyment are actually inseparable. Whether racing is your thing or just sitting around in a leisurely manner, rigging maintenance comes first for peace of mind when on water.
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