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18. Maintenance
CAUTION!
Some retrofit and alteration work, if carried out improperly, may damage the structure
or endanger safety. Contact the manufacturer or authorised dealer before installing
new groundings, hatches etc.
CAUTION!
When maintaining electrical equipment, disconnect the batteries. If you have to renew
electrical appliances, ensure that they are compatible with the voltage of the boat's
system.
18.6 Actions prior to, and after, boating season
A new boat does not really need any special maintenance at the beginning of the season, but if the
boat is used in polluted waters, special care should be taken with shells, which may become attached
to the hull. They are very hard to remove. To prevent this, paint the bottom of the boat with a primer
before the boating season. At the end of the boating season you must lay up the boat early enough to
let it dry out before winter frosts. Maintenance at the end of the season should be carried out very
carefully; proper maintenance means the boat can be used again without delay. Clean the boat
thoroughly. Remove all the loose things, especially fabrics and store them in a dry place. Service,
clean and check all the equipment. Replace any worn parts.
NOTE! When buying primer, make sure that the paint is suitable for use on aluminium hulls.
Do not use copper rich primer on an aluminium hull. Take other environmental factors also
into account when deciding which type of paint to buy.
After launching your boat open all the valves of the outlets/inlets and check that the hoses or fittings
don't leak. (The position of the outlets/inlets is shown in the technical section of the handbook.) Ensure
all safety equipment is on board before leaving shore.
NOTE! Check that the aluminium anodes are undamaged. Corroded anodes must be replaced
immediately. If damaged anodes are not replaced, the boat's aluminium parts may become oxidised
and - in the worst case scenario - corroded! When changing the anodes, consider the circumstances
in which the boat is used: we recommend magnesium anodes in freshwater, aluminium anodes in
brackish water and zinc anodes in seawater.
18.7 Repairs
In case of failure in the engine or other equipment, contact the individual suppliers.
You can repair small dents in the surface layer (gelcoat) of the hull or deck. However, a neat and
flawless result requires skill and a great deal of work.
Repair instructions:
- protect the area surrounding the repair with tape
- bevel the edges of the dent and clean with acetone
- mix 1.5-2% hardener with the gel coat
- apply the gel coat to the area to be fixed, so that the surface is slightly above the surrounding surface
- carefully apply tape onto the patch
- after hardening of the gel coat, remove the tape and sand the patch down to the surrounding surface
level
- polish the repaired area with grinding paste
The colours used for the craft are shown in the appendix. More precise instructions for repairs can be
obtained from
authorised dealers
. The maintenance and repair of aluminium surfaces, especially the hull,
must always be performed by an authorised professional.
Larger damage should be repaired by the authorised dealers:
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