Course Outline
• Duration: 1 Day (09:00 – 17:30)
• Location: Chatham Marina
• Format: A mixture of classroom theory and practical, as well as application onboard a yacht or in the boat yard
• Suitable For: Boat owners, aspiring skippers, and crew looking for comprehensive deck and systems maintenance knowledge. (For engine servicing, see our dedicated RYA Diesel Engine Course).
Morning: Winch Servicing, Deck Hardware & Going Aloft (09:00 – 12:30)
• Winch Servicing & Overhauls:
o Step-by-step stripping, cleaning, and reassembling standard and self-tailing winches.
o Degreasing gears, inspecting pawls/springs, applying winch grease and oil correctly.
• Going Aloft & Rig Inspections:
o Safety protocols, harness fitting, and bosun's chair rigging for going up the mast.
o Hoisting, belaying, and safety backup lines (using halyards vs. climbing equipment).
o Aloft inspection checklist: spreaders, standing rigging swages, masthead sheaves, lights, and instruments.
• Deck Hardware & Running Rigging:
o Servicing clutches, jammer jaws, tracks, blocks, and furling systems.
o Identifying rope wear, chafing points, and options for dealing with it.
o Learn how to whip a line to improve safety and prolong rope life.
Lunch Break (12:30 – 13:30)
Afternoon: Bilges, Hauling Out & Hull Systems (13:30 – 17:30)
• Bilge Inspections & Through-Hull Systems:
o Deep-dive bilge checks: tracking leaks, testing manual and automatic electric bilge pumps, float switches, and non-return valves.
o Inspecting seacocks, skin fittings, and hose clamps (composite vs. bronze vs. brass fittings).
o Emergency bung fitting and managing water ingress scenarios.
• Hauling Out Options & Yard Logistics:
o Comparing haul-out methods: Travelifts, boat hoists, slipways, gridirons, and drying out on legs or keels.
o Yard safety, blocking up correctly, pressure washing, and preparing a vessel for yard time.
• Antifouling & Hull Preparation:
o Choosing the right antifouling paint (eroding/ablative vs. hard matrix vs. copper coat).
o Hull preparation, sanding safety, priming, and applying coats effectively.
• Sacrificial Anodes & Corrosion Control:
o Understanding galvanic corrosion and how stray currents eat away at metal fittings, props, and shafts.
o Selecting the correct anode materials (Zinc, Aluminium, Magnesium) for salt, brackish, or fresh water.
o Fitting and replacing hull, shaft, and propeller anodes.
• Course Wrap-Up & Q&A: Recommended onboard spares kit, tool lists, and individual maintenance questions.
Master deck hardware, hull systems, and above-and-below-deck care to keep your yacht seaworthy, safe, and ready for sea.
Why Book This Course?
While mechanical propulsion is important, the true backbone of any seaworthy yacht lies in its deck hardware, standing rigging, underwater fittings, and structural integrity. A seized winch, a neglected seacock, or an unnoticed rigging fault aloft can quickly turn a peaceful passage into a major offshore hazard.
Hosted at Chatham Marina, this practical one-day workshop is designed to give boat owners and active crew hands-on experience with core boat systems outside the engine bay. Guided by our expert instructors, you will learn how to dismantle and service winches, inspect bilges and through-hulls, safely go aloft, handle seasonal haul-outs, and manage hull maintenance with complete confidence.
- Deck & Rig Maintenance: Learn how to service winches step-by-step and safely ascend a rig for aloft inspections.
- Underwater & Hull Care: Understand haul-out options, hull preparation, antifouling application, and sacrificial anodes.
- Prevent Onboard Emergencies: Spot early warning signs of rigging fatigue, seacock failure, or bilge leaks before heading offshore.
- Save Money: Perform routine deck hardware servicing, winch overhauls, and yard tasks yourself without relying on costly third parties.
