Quick Tips #3 - Take Care of Your Boat
by Ted McGee
(Article Appeared in March 1999 TellTales Publication)

Look at this picture closely. Do you see the boat? Starting at the lower right-hand corner you will find a dock line. Follow this line up and to the left where it is tied to the bow. This is a Hunter 23 that sank while tied to the dock. In the past 2 years there have been four boats sink at ZB and ZC docks, including a Catalina 22. In some cases the owners simply hadn’t seen the boat for months or even years. Some simple maintenance steps will go a long way to keeping your boat from sinking.

Check the following areas regularly and repair any leaks you find immediately. Not only will this help keep your boat afloat but it will also protect the integrity of the deck as well as the interior of the cabin.

Swing Keel Lock-Down Bolt
Keel Cable Trunk
Mounting Bolts holding Wing/Fin Keel
Leaks around Windows, Companionway Hatch, or Forward Hatch
Clogged Cockpit Drains
Sink Drain
Leaks around the Rub Rails
Leaks around Hardware Mounted on Deck