Wintering your boat - Q&A with a boatyard expert
Jake McGrath / Brin Wilson
The weather has changed quickly from warm balmy days on the sea to cold grey skies and the boat probably won’t get as much love now until spring. However with yards doing good deals on winter haulout, it can be a good time for a bunch of maintenance jobs.
We talked to Jake McGrath of Brin Wilson Boatbuilders in Gulf Harbour Marina for his expert take on winter maintenance.
What sort of work should you get done in winter?
At minimum get a lift and wash every six months - maybe more often depending on the season and where you are. This helps with general upkeep and keeping biofouling down. While a lot of people get their antifoul done in December before the summer holiday, hardstand space is usually cheaper in winter, and you aren’t competing with the rush.
Do you always need an undercover space?
Prep like wet sanding can be done in any weather but painting has to be done in the dry. If we prime the boat we usually leave it for 6hours to dry, and the antifoul needs 4-6 hours between coats on that. If you are doing work outside there is also condensation to take into account. If you book into a shed you can do it in a set time and have certainty about your time on the hard stand and getting the boat back in the water.
What products are working well at the moment to stop biofouling?
Sea Barrier 3000 is popular with local customers - it is an Altex product, by far the most bang for buck. We also recommend Propspeed, as we are authorised propspeed applicators. These work well for our Gulf Harbour customers. But it depends on where you are located and how fast your boat typically moves.
Photos / Brin Wilson Boatbuilders
What can the owner do to get the boat ready before it comes to you?
Just turn up. We usually do everything at the same time, such as cleaning the waterline, and we can make sure that nothing interferes with the paint. We will also check and replace anodes if they need it.
What about the hard to reach bits like keel bulbs and under the cradle?
A good contractor will do these for every boat that is lifted as standard. We do them every single time. One of the biggest problems for maintenance is not doing prior preparation - we’ve heard of people washing the boat and slapping antifoul on. It just falls off and becomes a headache.
Any other advice for boat owners?
Use your boat more! The more you use it the less you’ll have to do to it. If they aren’t used they deteriorate. It’s a shame. It’s a lot of money sitting there that never gets used.
Tip: use your boat more!
The Ross 40 called The Big Don’t Argue is a great example of a boat that has got its antifoul system sorted.
Owned by Geoff Harden for eight years, the boat was hauled out this autumn and as you can see the antifoul coating is in great shape.
Geoff puts that down to a monthly wipe down, which means growth can’t accumulate, and regular use - the boat is out racing every week. Geoff chooses International Ultra 2 for his antifoul.
As if to prove that clean is fast, The Big Don’t Argue won Division A in the RNZYS Summer Series - a fantastic achievement. Photos / Supplied