If you own a boat, maintaining it is equally important. Your boat is an investment; you must protect it by caring for it. Appropriate boat maintenance practices safeguard your boat’s durability, longevity, and functionality. It will continue to be your companion in your sea adventures in South Africa. Let’s talk about boat maintenance and how you can get it right in South Africa.

Boat Maintenance: How to Get it Right in South Africa?

Owning a boat is like owning a pet; a pet that protects you on the water and ensures that your adventures are safe and enjoyable. However, like any neglected pet, a neglected boat can turn against you at any time. This is why we must get boat maintenance right in South Africa.

But how?

a. Regular Cleaning of your boat ensures its interiors and exteriors are safe and durable.

While you cannot see it with your eyes, your boat actively fights against a lot of factors like salty waters, sea creatures or seaweed, water temperatures, to name a few. Not to mention the invisible dance of macro and micro-organisms alike against your boat’s hull and interior that can affect the integrity of your exterior.

Did you know that termites are one of the prime suspects that can completely wreck your boat if left neglected?

Keeping your boat clean with proper cleaners ensures that the damage stays minimal and the integrity stays strong. You do not have to wash your boat with soap or cleaners all the time. Just the good ole’ water spray would do just fine!

However, if you must wash with soaps or cleaners, make sure you use a biodegradable one. Protect South African waters and help in keeping the pollution on the minimal side.

b. Keeping the Engine Problem-Free is equally important.

Your boat’s engine is the only way you can manoeuvre around the seas. Even in the direst situations, if your boat’s engine is running, there is still hope for you. However, if your engine fails, it becomes a grave matter. Especially if you cannot resolve the issues with tools on board.

Now, each boat is different and uses different models of engines. For starters, we highly recommend referring to your engine’s manual. And of course, keeping your engine oiled and well-maintained is your top priority.

Make a habit of checking your engine’s oil levels occasionally. Generally, you should change engine oil at least once every 6 months. A well-oiled engine will function like butter, meaning fewer chances of failure.

Apart from that, regularly check your engine’s fuel channels and other components for leaks. Make sure all the moving parts are properly oiled. Also, most importantly, check on your boat’s propellers/rotors and remove any obstacles or garbage such as seaweed, broken nets and other miscellaneous garbage.

If this is your first time, we highly recommend seeking help from an experienced boater in your local boating club.

c. Hull Maintenance

The hull is the tub-shaped outer body of your boat that keeps the boat afloat. This hull directly comes into contact with the nature. Withstanding saltwater degradation, debris collision, and organism growth, it helps your boat stay afloat and safe.

Now, hull damage can critically put your life in danger. If you notice any damage or degrading signs on your hull during maintenance, tending to them should be your top priority.

Creatures like mussels or barnacles LOVE to attach themselves to hulls, allowing them to traverse greater distances. While these occasional occurrences may be harmless to your hull, they can quickly add up if left unattended. It can hinder a boat’s steering capability or straight up make the hull more susceptible to external damage.

You don’t want that.

It is a good practice to check and occasionally clean your hull once in a while, if not always.

What kind of Timetable can you follow for Boat Maintenance?

An unsafe boat not only puts your life in danger but also others’ lives and the environment as well. If you do not understand how to plan boat maintenance, here’s how you can get it right in South Africa.

  • Thorough washing of your boat at least once every two months. This includes testing your engine’s functionality and making sure everything is A-okay!
  • Engine Maintenance once every six months. Please get that oil changed!
  • Hull integrity check and exterior washing once every six months.

Of course, how often you should maintain your boat also depends on how often you use it.

Besides that, you are required to keep your boat in tip-top condition as SAMSA requires you to renew your Certificate of Fitness every year. For more information, please visit South African Sailing.

If you are looking for Skipper or RYA licenses in South Africa, Skipper Training SA can help you out. We are a Cape Town-based RYA-approved training institute. Feel free to contact us for any queries or information.

Boat Maintenance: How to get it Right in South Africa