Spring Maintenance!
- Episode 051 Your Pocket Sailing Instructor podcast
- Released: May 4, 2023
- Duration: 30 min 18 sec
“Preventative maintenance IS YOUR FRIEND!” ~ Sailing According to Coach Penny
There is a LONG list of things to go through in the Spring to get your boat up and into the water. Don’t worry though, it seems daunting, but having a checklist and organizing things into categories will greatly help you!
Spring Maintenance Run-Down…
There is a LONG list of things to go through in the Spring to get your boat up and into the water. Don’t worry though, it seems daunting, but having a checklist and organizing things into categories will greatly help you!
- engine checks
- standing rigging checks
- running rigging checks
- sail check
- safety gear checks
- and more!
Preventative maintenance IS YOUR FRIEND! So time to buckle down and complete some of those small pesky projects that you have not managed to tackle yet. For whatever reason, this Spring I did a PILE of work on Spindrift that I have been meaning to get to. I think the checklist that I created helped me to stay focused on my task. I know that if I work from a checklist I am less likely to get sidetracked by another project. That’s one thing that I am working on this year: fully completing my tasks. Sounds ridiculous I know, but I love to tinker and I tend to get distracted.
Hopefully your season is off to a great start and you don’t have much maintenance to do. If you do have some maintenance to do remember: don’t get caught up in the renos!! Get out sailing too. Get the “must-do’s” off your list ASAP, and then work away on the “nice-to-do’s” when you have time.
Have fun!!
Cheers,
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll love these too!
- Episode 052: Keels! Different types of keels and things to consider…
- Episode 054: Recycling your boat… what to do when it’s time to say goodbye
- Episode 059: Sails – Prevention & Basic Maintenance
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Resources
Spring Maintenance Checklist
Download this 1-page PDF for reference.
Download –> Spring Maintenance Checklist
About Penny Caldwell
Penny Caldwell is a Canadian sailing educator, Sail Canada Instructor Evaluator, marine consultant, and host of the Your Pocket Sailing Instructor podcast. With nearly three decades of teaching experience, she is passionate about helping sailors of all skill levels build confidence, develop practical seamanship skills, and enjoy a lifetime on the water. Through her articles, podcast, instructor development programs, consulting, and sailing adventures, Penny shares real-world knowledge that makes sailing safer, more enjoyable, and more accessible for everyone.
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Sailing is a lifelong learning journey, and some of the best ideas come from fellow sailors. Have a question about this topic, or a tip you’d like to share? Leave a comment below—I read every one and enjoy hearing about your experiences on the water!
