by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership
At the end of the sailing season sails should be washed and inspected carefully for damage, including small tears, stitching failure, ultraviolet damage, stains and mildew. Sail checks: Check the sails for tears, cracks or signs of chafing, especially where they may...
by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership
When thinking about the care, maintenance and repair of sails it helps to have some understanding of the properties of the ever growing range of modern sailcloth and the fibres they are made from, as opposed to the traditional canvas sails of the past. Many boat...
by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership
The rig of a sailing boat is put under huge stresses and strains so it is important for inspections of a yacht’s spars and rigging to be carried out at regular intervals. All the elements of a sailing rig – the mast, spreaders, boom, kicker, stays and the...
by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership
Leaking decks are perceived as a nuisance by some boat owners, who are often prepared to put up with them and turn a blind eye – “That’s boats for you!”. The reason for this might simply be explained because many boats are only used when the weather...
by Simon Jollands | Boat Maintenance, Preparation, Yacht ownership
The whole structure of a boat at sea is rocked and twisted as it pitches, yaws and rolls through the waves. This motion exerts considerable stresses on the hull, decks and superstructure as anyone will appreciate who has experienced the continuous slamming of a boat...