Why your boat needs exercise just as much as you do.
By Paul Gehrke | Gehrke Yacht Services
Every morning on our local cruisers’ radio net here in Boot Key Harbor, one of our neighbors reminds everyone about the importance of exercise and staying healthy. It’s good advice, but every time I hear it, I can’t help thinking about all the boats sitting around the harbor that could use a little exercise themselves.
I probably won’t convince everyone to get up and do jumping jacks every morning, but there’s one thing I regularly tell our customers at Gehrke Yacht Services: “If it moves, move it!”
Think about it. We exercise to keep our muscles and joints working properly. Your boat isn’t much different. It’s full of moving parts, valves, pumps, motors, and mechanical systems that need regular use to stay in good working condition. And just like us, the longer some of those things sit without moving, the harder it can be to get them moving again.
One of the biggest misconceptions in boating is that equipment doesn’t wear out if you’re not using it. Unfortunately, the marine environment doesn’t take a day off. Salt air, moisture, corrosion, and marine growth are constantly working against your equipment, whether you’re cruising offshore or sitting comfortably at the dock.
Take your seacocks, for example. When was the last time you opened and closed them? These valves are critical to your boat’s safety, but they’re often tucked away in compartments and forgotten. Over time, they can become difficult to operate or seize completely. Imagine discovering that the one valve you desperately need to close in an emergency won’t budge. Exercise serviceable seacocks regularly, but never force one that’s seized or showing signs of damage. A broken fitting below the waterline can turn a maintenance problem into an emergency.
Here’s another example that’s especially relevant to those of us boating in warmer climates: marine air conditioning. We use our air conditioners constantly, but how often do we switch them to heat? If you have a reverse-cycle system, there’s a reversing valve that changes the direction of the refrigerant flow between heating and cooling. When that valve sits in the same position for months, it can become stuck. Then, on that one chilly Florida morning when you actually want some heat, you discover it doesn’t work. Periodically switching between heating and cooling, within the manufacturer’s operating guidelines, helps keep that valve operating properly. It’s a simple exercise that can prevent an expensive repair.
Generators are another big one. We see plenty of boats where the generator sits unused until the owner suddenly needs it. But there’s more to exercising a generator than simply starting it, letting it run for a few minutes, and shutting it down. Generators need to operate under an appropriate electrical load. Particularly with diesel generators, extended operation with little or no load can contribute to carbon buildup and a condition known as wet stacking. Run your generator long enough to reach normal operating temperature and apply the load recommended by its manufacturer. Simply hearing it run doesn’t mean you’ve given it a proper workout.
What about your steering? Turn the wheel and check its full range of movement when it’s safe to do so. Check your autopilot, too. Operate your windlass, inspect and exercise your winches, and check other mechanical equipment according to the manufacturer’s procedures. Listen for unusual noises, feel for resistance, and pay attention when
something doesn’t operate as smoothly as it used to. Those little changes are often your first warning that something needs attention.
Don’t overlook your freshwater pumps, shower sumps, toilets, and bilge pumps. Operate them appropriately and make sure they’re actually doing their jobs. Just because you hear a pump running doesn’t mean it’s moving water. A bilge pump that hums away but doesn’t discharge anything isn’t going to be much help when the water starts rising. Test automatic switches and alarms, too, using the proper procedures.
Even the simplest things deserve some attention. Open the hatches, slide the windows, operate the latches, and move the hinges. Exercise the equipment that can safely be operated, and inspect the equipment that requires specialized testing. You don’t want to accidentally activate your emergency fire suppression system or damage a component simply because you’re following the advice to move things.
Now, I’m not suggesting that you need to go around your boat every morning and operate every piece of equipment you own. Some systems need regular operation, some need periodic inspection, and others have very specific maintenance requirements. Your manufacturer’s recommendations should always come first. And exercising equipment doesn’t replace proper maintenance, lubrication, cleaning, or servicing.
What I am suggesting is that you make it part of your routine. Once a month, spend some time giving the appropriate systems on your boat a little workout. You’ll become more familiar with how everything operates, and you’ll be much more likely to notice a developing problem before it leaves you stranded, uncomfortable, or reaching for your wallet.
I’ve spent enough time working on boats to know that problems rarely happen at convenient times. The windlass won’t operate when you’re ready to anchor. The generator won’t start when you need power. The seacock won’t turn when you need to shut off the water. And that air conditioner that cooled beautifully all summer suddenly refuses to give you heat.
A little preventive attention can go a long way toward avoiding those situations.
So tomorrow morning, when our neighbor gets on the radio and reminds everyone to exercise, maybe I’ll take his advice. But after I finish my coffee, I might just give the boat a workout, too.
Remember: If it moves, move it!
Paul Gehrke is the owner of Gehrke Yacht Services in Marathon, Florida. The company provides marine service, maintenance, repairs, and equipment support to boat owners and cruising sailors throughout the Florida Keys.
