Simon Jollands

Sailboat rig checks – Part 1

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Sailing boat rigs need to be checked regularly to reduce the risk of rig failure at sea. In part one of Sail boat rig checks we run through a series of useful checks that owners and skippers can carry out. Some boat owners inspect their rigs before every cruise,...

Rudders and steering systems – Part 3

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

In the third of our three blog articles on rudders and steering systems, we look at how to replace rudder bearings and repair a water-saturated core. How to replace rudder bearings These are the steps involved in replacing the rudder bearings of a typical spade-type...

Rudders and steering systems – Part 2

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Take a look around the average boatyard and you will see examples of all kinds of different rudders and steering systems. Some rudders hang off the transom, some hang beneath the stern, others are built into the back of the keel, some look fine and elegant, others are...

Rudders and steering systems – Part 1

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

A rudder is one of the most critical parts of a boat. Rudder failure is a common occurrence on neglected or overworked boats and a very unpleasant and potentially dangerous thing to happen when you are out at sea. It is important for a boat owner to fully understand...

Keel maintenance and Repair – Part 2

by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership

If you have ever witnessed a boat colliding with a rock or other submerged obstacle you will know that there is an almighty thump and the whole boat shakes and judders. While such hard groundings seldom result in catastrophic keel failure, something has to give and...