Check your boats following the recent harsh weather

Navigators & General are urging boat owners to check their boats following the recent harsh winter weather to avoid common accidents it can bring.

Sub zero temperatures can cause pipes to split, joints or fittings to be forced apart, engines to crack or skin fittings to leak, the long term effect of this is possible sinking. These sometimes only make themselves apparent once temperatures rise, or when a boat is first used, Although automatic bilge pumps can cope with a gradual ingress they can fail and batteries flatten, so a thorough check is advised.

A build up of snow on canopies, covers or hoods can lead to them splitting, which can then allow cockpits open to the environment. If they do not self drain properly the water can get below, or lower the waterline to put exhausts or skin fittings underwater that are not meant to be. This normally causes damage, and in extreme cases N&G has seen boats sink due to a small change in the waterline.

As soon as it is safe to do so N&G suggests boat owners check their boats, or arrange for a professional to do so rather than run the risk of damage at a later stage. It is never to late to winterise machinery, and normally a condition of policy cover for frost damage that this is correctly done.

www.navandgen.co.uk