16 • March 11 - 24, 2016 • The Log Dock Lines With Capt. Nicole BA T T E R I E S ® PREMIUM AGM BATTERIES
Preventive maintenance tips from a pro Story and photo by
Capt. Nicole Sours Larson Have you wondered what steps
you can take to protect your boat from preventable break-downs and save money on repairs? As boat own- ers, we know our boats need consid- erable TLC and will inevitably require upkeep, but, especially for newer owners, it may not be clear the best steps to take to minimize our risks for major breakdowns. Recently, when Arv and I took
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Burgundy into Shelter Island Boatyard for her bottom paint and assorted other minor work, including hydraulic steering sys- tem repairs, we had the good fortune to meet and work with Ken Morton, president of Morton Marine Services, Inc., whose focus is yacht man- agement, including maintenance and repair. He grew up around boats and has worked in marine services for more than 34 years, running his own business for 20 years. We discovered
Morton is a natural teacher, able to explain boat maintenance and repairs clearly to own- ers.
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“This makes a huge difference in the lifespan of the engines, transmis- sions, cutlass bearings and even the driveshafts,” Morton said. Usually overlooked, check your
boat’s hydraulic steering every time you visit by turning the rudder hard- over to hard-over to test for leaks and prevent the steering from freezing up, a common problem. Don’t forget your dinghy, which also needs its engine started and steering checked to ensure everything operates. Check and/or replace your engine and generator raw water impellers; most manufacturers recommend annual replacement. Do a pre-season load test on your bat- teries; if they’re near- ing the end of their designated life, replace them to avoid unexpected failures. Check the airflow on
Ken Morton, president of Morton Marine Services, Inc., has been around boats his entire life and worked in the marine industry for over 34 years. His business provides yacht management and maintenance/repair services and dockside and out-of- water services from his base at Shelter Island Boatyard.
I asked Morton to share some tips
on how boaters can best maintain their onboard systems, prevent unnecessary repairs and minimize costs. Most importantly, determine your
approach toward maintenance. “Do you want to be proactive or
reactive? If reactive (waiting for fail- ures), that can mess up your plans, especially on weekends. You may not be able to get service when you most need it,” he explained. It’s critical, Morton said, to check
out your mechanical and other sys- tems regularly and know what works and what needs repair. Make a detailed list of everything on your boat requiring regular maintenance or replacement, including batteries and fire extinguishers, complete with dates of last maintenance. Time slips by quickly, he said. That “recent” replacement may have been five years ago. Start your engines every month or, at minimum, every 60 days, and be sure to engage the transmissions.
your boat. Good air- flow and circulation, including portholes that open, prevent mold, mildew and offensive odors. Keep your bilge clean and dry and free of obstructions, ensur- ing that bilge pumps can operate if needed and won’t be blocked by debris.
Examine your shore power plug. Does it show burning or arcing? Does the boot cover the cord or are wires exposed? Exposed wires, Morton explained, allow water to penetrate the plug, causing electrical problems. Make sure that any electrical cords are joined with watertight connec- tors; never cover them with a plastic bag, which creates condensation ready to seep into connections. Always, always, keep your power
cord out of the water, he stressed. Do a radio check periodically to
ensure all your VHF radios work. Replace any frayed dock lines.
Worn lines may not hold your boat in extreme conditions. Keeping your boat washed and
waxed protects your boat’s paint, averting later need for aggressive polishing and subsequent costly painting. Be sure to hire a diving company that knows how to clean boat bottoms thoroughly but gently. If you need help assembling a maintenance checklist or managing your boat, you can reach Morton at 619-944-0741.
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