Today’s boats require a fair share of routine maintenance, as well as access to skilled talent for troubleshooting, repairs, updating and major projects. Demand for these services is always high, which is why smart boat owners ask for boatyard recommendations before they actually need to have work done.
Any boatyard can power wash the bottom and apply a fresh coat of antifoulant, but if removing the season’s slime reveals oozing gelcoat blisters, you’ll need more than a quick in-and-out stop. If the yard you choose is short on labor, you’ll be stuck on the hard.
Conversely, if a yard has multiples of workers tending to bottoms, repairing fiberglass and wood, and doing mechanical work, then it’s likely a better choice for whatever service you might need. Look around for a boat that mirrors your own to see how well the yard performs certain tasks. If you do not like what you see, choose another yard, one with more activity and customers.
Communication is key, too. Collect your list of chores, and be specific in your descriptions. Make time to sit down with the service manager and get his input. Both of you need to consider the costs, the time and the technical aspects of each job. Be honest about your boat in general. If yearly waxing no longer gives the hull a nice gleam, then maybe it’s time to ask about paint or vinyl wrap. If the salon air conditioner no longer cools the interior during July heat waves, then it might be time for a new system.
Having a good relationship with the service manager can help in other ways, too. Few boatyards have the room to warehouse every type of part and accessory, and most jobs encounter backlogs and late deliveries. Workers get sick. The weather causes delays. A seasoned service manager will build in 20 percent extra time to complete a job, as a way to set realistic expectations. Some service managers will ask boat owners to rank the needed jobs in order of importance; if the boat is mechanically sound and safe to use, the owner can go cruising and then return later to complete lower-priority tasks.
Some boat owners sabotage their own boatyard experience by adding more and more tasks that the yard didn’t plan to do. This is disruptive because a service manager often calculates the time it takes to complete each job by the number of workers available. An average repair job might require a mechanic, followed by an electrician or other technical pro. Switching up the service requests won’t mesh with the schedule, and will cause additional delays.
It is also important to heed the advice of the service manager for larger jobs. When systems fail, you have three choices. You can repair what is wrong or defective; you can rebuild some of the major components; or you can replace the entire unit. After you factor in the labor (often the most expensive part of the job), the age of the unit must be considered. A service manager may suggest the replacement route based on his experience with rebuilding projects.
Last, make sure you’re at the yard to watch the work being done. For starters, you’ll see things on your boat that you can’t usually see, such as many of the hoses that run from bow to stern. Bilge pumps, air-conditioning hoses, and engine- and generator-cooling hoses are rarely looked at until one splits open and fills the bilge with ocean water. Whenever the boat is in the yard, check every hose and hose clamp. Replacing hoses is time and money well spent.
Generally speaking, spending time with service technicians is also an ideal way to learn how various systems work. This knowledge is especially helpful when you are on your own and something malfunctions. Tip these service people well. And never underestimate the value of a T-shirt with your boat’s name on it.
This article was originally published in the January/February 2024 issue.
