Yacht Decommissioning Checklist
Working through a thorough decommissioning process when you leave your boat will reap its rewards when you return a few months later. Here are some suggestions:-
Systems
- Air conditioning units – fresh water flush
- Batteries – top off water if appropriate and organise battery maintenance requirements
- Bilge pump float switches – clean and check
- Engine – fresh water flush, change oil and filter. Remove exhaust from elbow as appropriate.
- Fuel tanks – top off and add bio-cide additive if appropriate
- Generator – fresh water flush, change oil and filter. Remove exhaust from elbow as appropriate.
- Holding tanks – empty
- Outboard – fresh water flush & run carburetor dry, clean, store. Remove unused fuel.
- Propane – turn off
- Syphon breaks – service
- Watermaker – pickle
Deck, Sails, Rigging, Canvas
- Anchor Locker & chain – clean and check chain markers
- Canvas – wash dry and stow if appropriate
- Cockpit cushions – wash dry and stow
- Cockpit Instruments – cover
- Dinghy – wash dry cover stow
- Fenders, MOB equipment, barbeque/grill – wash dry and stow
- Running rigging (and dock lines if appropriate) – remove, wash dry and stow
- Sails – wash dry and stow
Housekeeping
- Bilges – clean
- Bug & ant poison – set traps
- Bunk cushions – clean if required and leave propped up to enable air circulation
- Fridge/freezer – empty and clean, wedge doors open
- Interior – clean thoroughly heads, galley, cabins
- Key – leave with boatyard/marina/Island Dreams
- Linens – remove final items for laundering
- Locker/cabin doors and drawers – wedge open
- Perishable food, soda/fizzy drink cans & garbage – remove from boat
- Ports and hatches – cover to avoid sun damage to interior
- Water tanks – either top off and add water conditioner, or empty as appropriate
- Woodwork – clean with vinegar solution
In-Water Storage
- Chafe gear – add as appropriate
- Prop, shaft, rudder, bow thrusters – schedule cleaning as appropriate
- Zincs – check
