It can be tempting to fit equipment anywhere you can shoehorn it in. Boat designers do it all the time. But if you can’t get to it for routine maintenance or repairs, you’ll regret it. Here are some things to consider about access for maintenance before you buy your cruising boat.
Summary
What makes an easy maintenance boat? It’s one whose build or design makes accessing systems easy. Maintain-ability is one of the most neglected aspects in conversations about buying a new boat.
But boat designers don’t make it easy. Sometimes, they shoehorn systems in where they shouldn’t. And it’s always the ones that need regular maintenance. The key is to shop for a boat with easy maintenance in mind.
As you look around, think about which boat components will need routine maintenance, especially on a daily or weekly basis. Ask yourself how you’ll work in the engine compartment. Which bulbs or fuses would be hard to replace if they blew?
The more easily you can access systems, the more likely you are to keep them working the way they should. And the less likely you are to suffer a surprise failure while underway. It’s why it’s worth shopping for a boat that’s easy to maintain.
For my list of the top three things to review for easy maintenance, listen to the full podcast or read An Easy Maintenance Boat – What to Look For.
Links:
Prefer to Read? Check out An Easy Maintenance Boat.
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Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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