gouvernail
Super Opinionated and Always Correct
There are a bunch of maintenance items you really want to address during the "off season"I thought starting a list and getting your heads directed toward the task would be a good idea. So here aare a few things:
1. Buy 2 tubes of 3M 5200 fast cure. Remove every fitting on your boat and re- bed it. If the holes are stripped, now is the time to move the fittings or through bolt them. Toss the second un-opened tube in your toolbox.
2. Check your trailer bearings. Re grease them or buy new ones and install them3. Re carpet the trailer. Use the cheap outdoor stuff without rubber backing and use a few layers. The moisture will wich away from the hull or deck.
3. Check the wood while you are at it.
4. Paint the rusty areas of the trailer. All you really need to do is Scotch Brite off the rust and apply a freah coat of paint. Rust-o-leum Hammered Aluminum paint looks just like a galvanized finish. Otherwise, whatever color you like is great. Light colors are easier to see in the water, especially late in the evening.
5. Get some brand new nylon tie down lines for $10. Your boat should never travel tied down with a crappy old mainsheet. What a dumb way to save money that would be...
6. Does your sail have batten pocket issues?? Get the thing to the local sailmaker.
7. Want to fix all the scratches?? The article we wrote in the nineties for the Laser Sailor is on this page. Scroll down to it or read until you get there. All the maintenance stuff on that page is pretty good>>> http://schrothfiberglass.com/LaserMaint.htm
8. Do you still have a wood tiller or blades?? Time for varnish.
9. How ore those flex joints doing on the extension?? Time to buy two, instal one and get a spare for the toolbox. If you have ACME stull, order his nifty repair kit for your particular extension.
10. Usually my lists have ten items
11. Check all your lines. Time to buy new??
12. get that class sticker for the transome. Yes, it is time to buy a new 2006 class membership. You may as well do it now. It ends at the same time no matter what (December 31) and all you do by waiting is screw yourself out of a newsletter or two or three.
13. Register for a few regattas. Go visit the website listings and sign up now. you will not only have to go to rescue your investment but you will ABSOLUTELY THRILL the hosts of the event. Thrill me first>>>my event>>> http://schrothfiberglass.com/Easter.htm
14. call the members of your local group and meet at a restaurant somewhere. Fleet maintenance is just as important as your boat or more so.
15. Do something nice for your significant other. get your "bank account" dfull so you can blow off for sailing events later in the year.
16. Go to the gym. Personal maintenance is way big on the list.
17. Get some CDs for trips to events.
18. Do you wear a dry suit? How are the collars and sleeve rubbers?? Time to ship them off for repair?
19. Is that life jacket good for another year?20. How are your sunglasses? have you had an eye exam lately?Anybody else care to add to the list??
1. Buy 2 tubes of 3M 5200 fast cure. Remove every fitting on your boat and re- bed it. If the holes are stripped, now is the time to move the fittings or through bolt them. Toss the second un-opened tube in your toolbox.
2. Check your trailer bearings. Re grease them or buy new ones and install them3. Re carpet the trailer. Use the cheap outdoor stuff without rubber backing and use a few layers. The moisture will wich away from the hull or deck.
3. Check the wood while you are at it.
4. Paint the rusty areas of the trailer. All you really need to do is Scotch Brite off the rust and apply a freah coat of paint. Rust-o-leum Hammered Aluminum paint looks just like a galvanized finish. Otherwise, whatever color you like is great. Light colors are easier to see in the water, especially late in the evening.
5. Get some brand new nylon tie down lines for $10. Your boat should never travel tied down with a crappy old mainsheet. What a dumb way to save money that would be...
6. Does your sail have batten pocket issues?? Get the thing to the local sailmaker.
7. Want to fix all the scratches?? The article we wrote in the nineties for the Laser Sailor is on this page. Scroll down to it or read until you get there. All the maintenance stuff on that page is pretty good>>> http://schrothfiberglass.com/LaserMaint.htm
8. Do you still have a wood tiller or blades?? Time for varnish.
9. How ore those flex joints doing on the extension?? Time to buy two, instal one and get a spare for the toolbox. If you have ACME stull, order his nifty repair kit for your particular extension.
10. Usually my lists have ten items
11. Check all your lines. Time to buy new??
12. get that class sticker for the transome. Yes, it is time to buy a new 2006 class membership. You may as well do it now. It ends at the same time no matter what (December 31) and all you do by waiting is screw yourself out of a newsletter or two or three.
13. Register for a few regattas. Go visit the website listings and sign up now. you will not only have to go to rescue your investment but you will ABSOLUTELY THRILL the hosts of the event. Thrill me first>>>my event>>> http://schrothfiberglass.com/Easter.htm
14. call the members of your local group and meet at a restaurant somewhere. Fleet maintenance is just as important as your boat or more so.
15. Do something nice for your significant other. get your "bank account" dfull so you can blow off for sailing events later in the year.
16. Go to the gym. Personal maintenance is way big on the list.
17. Get some CDs for trips to events.
18. Do you wear a dry suit? How are the collars and sleeve rubbers?? Time to ship them off for repair?
19. Is that life jacket good for another year?20. How are your sunglasses? have you had an eye exam lately?Anybody else care to add to the list??