SeaCrew Accommodation, Plymouth (2026)

30/10/2021

Being a Bilge Rat (Part 3)
A clean bilge means that you can get down into the area of the boat that takes the most stress and keep an eye on the structure of the boat.
A regular inspection of internal joints, connections of stiffeners, matrix, beams, floor bearers etc will tell you a lot about the health of the boat. Realistically we don’t need to be a super qualified boatbuilder to see the start of an obvious defect like bubbling rust coming from a fastening or a split or crack in a glass fibre joint or corrosion in an area. It's the boat telling you ‘I need further investigation’, however, this can only be done if the bilge is clean and it is easy to inspect. Many issues get covered up through layers of dirt or dust in the bilge.
At SeaCrew we can do these checks for you or do a one-off bilge clean to get on top of the area for you.

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

29/10/2021

Being a Bilge Rat (part 2)
Our last post discussed that the bilge is the boundary between you floating and sinking so should be treated with some respect. Your bilge pumps will suck water out of the bilge in the event of an emergency. It is normal to have at least one electrical and one manual pump and often nice to have more. The pickup points in the bilge should have strainers or strum boxes attached. These are often on the bottom of an electric pump or the bottom of a manual pipe. These filters stop foreign objects from going up the pump or into the pipe.
Check that your pump or pipe in the bilge has a filter/strum box
• Check that it is clear of obstructions
• Check the bilge is free of debris that can get caught up or block the filters and render your pumps useless
• Prime blockage suspects are matches, screws, washers, sweet wrappers and bits of paper
At SeaCrew we can do these checks for you or do a one-off bilge clean to get on top of the area for you.

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

28/10/2021

Being a Bilge Rat (part 1)
Well maybe not a rat... but looking in the bilge regularly will build a picture of the health of your boat in certain ways. The bilge is the boundary between you floating and sinking so should be treated with some respect. Keeping the bilge clean can be the difference between survival and disaster. A clean bilge will
• Remove most of any boat smells in the boat
• Remove debris that can block bilge pumps
• Let you observe and keep an eye on the structure of the boat
• Let you keep an eye on any electrical connections in the boat
• Allow you to know your boat better and understand where pipe and electrics run in the boat
At SeaCrew we can do these checks for you or do a one-off bilge clean to get on top of the area for you.

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

22/10/2021

Seacocks 2
Just in case of seacock failure, it is useful to have something to block the hole. Wooden bungs are easily available from a chandler and these cone shaped bungs can be either:
• Kept in the safety locker ready for use
• Tied loosely to the pipe and seacock they are to protect
The bungs are often made from softwood so that they expand when shoved in the hole.
If you do find yourself with water coming in and have no bungs, just think about reducing the flow of water to a point where your bilge pumps can cope. Think laterally, a boathook with a rag over it, vegetables like carrots and parsnips, in fact, anything that will fit in the hole….

At SeaCrew we can supply bungs and attach to your seacocks for you.

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

21/10/2021

Seacocks 1
Seacocks are the valves fitted into the hull through which water or waste can flow in or out. They are commonly attached to:
• Engine seawater inlet
• Generator seawater inlet
• Toilet inlet and outlet
• Galley and heads sink outlet
• Shower outlet
It is very important that in the event of a problem, such as a pipe breaking, hose clip coming off or for general servicing that they are able to be shut off.
Therefore get into the habit of ‘exercising the seacocks’ by turning them on and off each time you visit the boat. This often is all that is required to stop them from seizing up through lack of use. A seized seacock means that it cannot be turned off and in the event of a pipe failure, you cannot stop water coming in. Annually they should be inspected and serviced. Often insurance companies require seacocks to be in the off position when the vessel is left - so no holes are left open. If you do turn off seacocks, then leave a note on the chart table to remind you that the engine or generator seacock is off…

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

15/10/2021

So now that your boat is regularly cleaned, waxed and polished inside and out, and you carry out visual checks each time you venture out, here is a list of annual tasks:

• Haul out. Check and maintain beneath the waterline, all seacocks, prop shaft, anodes, rudder bearings and keel.
• Annual engine and generator service to make sure that all the filters, water and fuel pumps, thermostats and impellers are clear, spark plugs are inspected and oil is changed.
• Water tanks. If you haven’t used your boat for a while, you will want to drain the water tanks and disinfect the tank and system using a water treatment chemical such as Aqua Sol or Aqua Clean tablets.
• Rigging. A visual check to see if there are any breakages or damage to fittings and connectors should be made regularly. A more thorough inspection of a yacht’s spars and rigging should be carried out at regular intervals or before a major sea passage by a trained rigger. Rig tensions should be checked and adjusted as necessary.
• Life raft, life jacket and safety equipment annual service
• Check that your flares are in date and replace if necessary
• Remove your anchor from the chain locker and check
• Service winches and jammers
• Empty and clean lockers

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

08/10/2021

Choose a Boat Care service package to ensure that your boat is kept clean, well maintained and ready to go when you are. Weekly or fortnightly checks and cleaning packages are available here.

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

01/10/2021

As well as washing, cleaning and waxing your yacht, there are other tasks that are important to maintain your yacht, which will help to maximise its value as well as looking great.
• Saltwater leads to corrosion, so it’s important to carry out visual checks each time you use your boat. Check the seacocks and carry out a visual inspection of the engine (room) to check for any leaks. It’s also important to hose the boat down to remove any salt.
• Systems checks: Air conditioning, refrigeration, pumps, exhaust and air intake, batteries, coolant levels, and fuel and lubrication are just a few of the systems that operate during regular usage and that need to be checked by you or a professional on a regular basis.
• Keep a maintenance log. Log all maintenance work and servicing with details and dates. Not only will this be a handy reference, but will be useful to show potential buyers when you want to sell your yacht.

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

24/09/2021

SeaCrew offers Boat Care services at all marinas in the Plymouth area. From cleaning to weekly checks, maintenance, crew placement and specialist jobs, contact us now to find out more.

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

20/09/2021

We all know the importance of boat maintenance – it’s a crucial element of yacht ownership and operation. Maintaining your yacht is imperative, not only for peace of mind but for safety reasons too. Here is a checklist of those jobs that should be carried out on a regular basis:

• Washing and cleaning. Some owners have their yacht cleaned every month, but for those who want to keep their boat in tip-top condition, every 2 weeks is better. All visible elements on the exterior should be washed and cleaned. Streaks, bird strikes and dust should be removed, canvas and upholstery wiped down, metalwork cleaned and polished, and woodwork scrubbed. It’s worth considering having the interior detailed, which can involve dusting, cleaning countertops, toilets, sinks and more.

• Waxing and cleaning your boat. This should be carried out every 3-6 months, depending on sun exposure. Wax should be reapplied to the visible exterior areas of the yacht from the waterline up. If you have a coloured hull (blue or black), this should be carried out on a more regular basis.

Visit us at www.searegs.co.uk/seacrew-plymouth-boat-services

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