Storing your yacht in the boatyard – 10 Tips from Island Dreams

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How you leave your boat in the boatyard at the end of this season can make a big difference to what you return to next season.

1. Decommission your engine and generator
To remove all traces of salt water, once hauled change the oil, fresh water flush, disconnect exhaust elbow and seal up inlet. Ask the yard about doing this for you.

2. Fuel polishing
Probably the most common cause of unexpected engine problems we see are caused by dirty and contaminated fuel. Solid particles accumulate at the bottom of the tank and just when you need it most, the engine fails.

3. Flush your outboard
Fresh water flush and run the carburettor dry. Give your unused dinghy fuel away – it will not be good for use next season.

4. Remove soda cans
If anyone leaves soda cans on board over the summer, it is a mistake they only make once. They have a tendency to explode leaving an especially sticky mess.

5. Fresh water washing and drying
Deck & cockpit cushions, danbuoys and anything you are stowing inside should be fresh water washed and thoroughly dried before stowing. Salt water will encourage mildew and mould. If you run out of time – we can do this for you.

6. Leave the interior as clean as you can – especially heads and cabins
This is not easy if you are staying on board and Island Dreams can clean the interior for you once you have left, or…

7. Spend your last night(s) off the boat
For Spice Island Marine – Cool Runnings Apartments and True Blue Bay Resort are convenient options. For Grenada Marine – La Sagesse is nearby.

8. Guardianage
Having the boat checked regularly will reassure that your batteries are charged as you expect, the boat interior is in good condition and you have not sprung any unexpected rainwater leaks around ports, hatches or deck fittings. Contact Island Dreams for our usual check list, and if there is something else you would specifically like us to include on each check or just as a one-off, let us know.

9. Storage
Consider removing and storing items which might:
• suffer in the heat (computers)
• suffer in the sun (dinghies)
• reduce air flow around the boat (sails)
Contact Island Dreams for information on how and where to store items off the boat.

10. De-humidify
We have not found electric dehumidifiers necessary for most boats stored in Grenada. Starbrite DampRid or similar products work well – and collect a surprising amount of moisture. We find we need to replace the refills at least every month in the most humid period between August and November.

Summer Storage in Grenada

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Some points to remember when leaving your boat for an extended period…

  1. Check your plans with your insurance company before you book your spot in the marina or boatyard.
  2. We would of course recommend guardianage, but ask around – both other yacht owners and local marine businesses – about reputation and reliability of individuals and companies.
  3. Large storage bags which are zippable, and those from which you suck out the air to create a vacuum are excellent where you are storing clothes and linens on board for more than 6 months. Tumble drier sheets folded within the clothing or linens help to keep them smelling fresh.
  4. Consider staying ashore for the last night – especially if you have an early flight. This way you can leave the head totally clean, remove bedlinen for laundering, defrost the fridge and still have a cold drink and relax for your last night in Grenada. Alternatively, ask Island Dreams to do these things and relax on board instead.
  5. Do not leave anything salty or dirty inside as this will cause mildew – foul weather gear, salty shoes, cockpit cushions should be well washed with fresh water and dried before being stowed.
  6. Leave lockers and drawers open to encourage air flow.
  7. Cover windows, pull curtains. The sun will beat down on the same areas of upholstery and woodwork so you need to avoid the risk of fading.
  8. We have not found de-humidifiers to be needed in Grenada, but we do use the pots of dehumidifier silica crystals. In humid months, we usually need to change the crystals every 2 to 4 weeks and they draw in a significant amount of moisture.
  9. Do not leave perishable food on board – crackers, flour & cereals will probably go bad, and encourage insects.
  10. Plan any work to be done at the start of the season. If you have work to be done whilst you are away, organise as much as you can to be done before September. Deciding in November that you need a new bimini will probably result in you having to wait till next year as demand outstrips supply for most yacht specialists from October to January in Grenada.

Shipping parts for your boat to Grenada

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Grenada charges a 2.5% Customs Service Charge on parts for ‘yachts in transit’.  This is based on the invoiced value of the items and freight cost.

Copies of your boat registration document and Grenada clearance document are required and a customs broker will complete the formalities.  Island Dreams can organise this for you.  Contact us for information on how to address the shipment, which couriers to use and costs.

Grenada Sailing Week

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The Grenada Sailing Week team are ringing the changes this year with the event running across 3 locations – CN Port Louis, Le Phare Bleu and Prickly Bay from 30th January to 4th February.  For the latest news, check the GSW Facebook Page.