Tag Archive for: yacht management

Planning your launch – 5 items you really should check

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When the time comes for sailing, you want to go sailing, not be delayed by ‘just one more’ job. But here are 5 things we would recommend you plan for before you launch – whatever else you do – either for safety reasons or because they cause unnecessary frustration if they trip you up.

  1. Check your cooking gas – it was the last thing on your mind when you left the boat (which may have been in a bit of a rush given we are in 2020), so make sure you set off with full bottles now.
  2. Ditch your old outboard fuel. Gas does not keep well even for a couple of months and your outboard will object. Start with fresh fuel.
  3. Service your seacocks. The time to realise you have a stuck seacock handle or corroded fittings is in the boatyard, not in the water. Even if you have to delay to resolve an issue, your be frustration will be tempered by knowing you launch in good condition.
  4. On a similar note, check over your windlass. Ideally a full service.
  5. Check the dates on your safety equipment and first aid kit. If they have expired, you have time to get them serviced or replaced, and if you have some time to go, you will have them in mind ready for next time.

Of course Island Dreams is happy to assist with any of these and we have a few more suggestions on our decommissioning checklist as our aim is to help you make the most of your time sailing.

Yacht Decommissioning Checklist

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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

Why use Island Dreams’ Yacht Management and Maintenance?

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Storing your boat in Grenada this summer? Five reasons to contact Island Dreams:

1. We are Grenada’s longest established yacht guardianage and management company – established 1999. We have a series of standard guardianage checks for boats in the water and in the boatyard and we tailor these to your requirements.

2. We are happy to advise on who, where and how to achieve what you need so you are ready for next season – engine needs servicing; touch-up varnishing in the galley; saloon cushions looking tired; considering increasing solar charging power….

3. Choice…..we look after boats at Grenada’s two largest marinas – Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina and Le Phare Bleu Marina – and two boatyards – Spice Island Marine and Grenada Marine.

4. If you need to stay away from your boat longer than expected, you have the reassurance that it is being checked and monitored in your prolonged absence.

5. All our clients have a website login to access their check reports. You can see what is happening and contact us if you have any questions or concerns
What was checked and when?
What were the battery voltages?
Was there any water in the bilge?
Any signs of mildew?

Contact us at info@islandreamsgrenada.com

What’s new in Grenada

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As a Grenada-based yacht management company we often see clients leave to explore elsewhere.  We also often see them come back to re-discover Grenada and the Grenadines.  So, what’s new if you have been away for a couple of years?

Two great options for Grenada grown produce

Valu Garden at Excel Plaza still has the best value local fruit and vegetables, as well as refrigerated, frozen and store cupboard items … and it has now doubled in size.  Open on a Sunday morning, with very friendly and helpful staff, it is the only shop I leave wondering how I spent so little on so much, rather than the other way round.

Farmers Market every Wednesday morning, past Spiceland Mall in the Youth Centre car park.  Usually advertised on Grenada Cruisers, Coming Events and Advertising Facebook page

Dinghy Concerts

The first dinghy concert was organised by Dieter of Le Phare Bleu in January 2011.  They are now a regular occurrence featuring local and overseas musical talent – see dinghyconcert.com.  The next dinghy concert is on 15th March – it is number 25.

Island Dreams Office

Our CN Port Louis Marina office has moved.  We are now by the dinghy dock, adjacent to the Marina Office.  No longer lime green, we are mango yellow!

SailClear

Grenada now has SailClear, so you can complete Customs and Immigration arrival formalities with minimal form-filling.  Register your boat and crew beforehand on sailclear.com.  Enter your intended arrival date, time and port of entry and the Customs and Immigration Officers will print out the completed clearance form ready for you to sign.  As more Caribbean countries implement SailClear, the process of moving from one territory to another will become easier, so time spent registering your boat in the system will reap benefits in the future.  And it’s free.

110 volt 60Hz electricity

American boats needing 60Hz electricity to comfortably run their electrical systems on shore power can now do so – head for Camper & Nicholson’s Port Louis Marina.  Make sure you inform the marina of your electrical requirements when you book

Clarkes Court Boatyard and Marina

Clarkes Court Bay Marina is under new ownership and management and is becoming a boatyard.  Construction is under way and we expect Grenada to be able to haul larger boats once the yard is operational.  See their page on Facebook for plenty of photos.

Hashing every week

Hashing has become so popular it is a weekly activity.  A great way to meet Grenadians, students, cruisers, expats…. and lots of them.  See grenadahash.com or the Grenada Hash House Harriers Facebook page.

photo credit: Judith Jarvis