Complete Haul-Out Service at Van Isle Marina Yacht Park

Boat maintenance is a key part of keeping your boat seaworthy, safe and looking great. After all, there is nothing more enjoyable than cruising in a boat you know is in top notch condition and is well protected from the corrosive elements of the ocean.

Saltwater, marine organisms and UV rays can all take their toll on your boat’s finish, integrity and performance, but regular maintenance can help retain the appearance and extend the life of your vessel.

While yacht care can be daunting, time-consuming and expensive, you don’t have to do it all yourself! Instead, make the most of the services and equipment available at Van Isle Marina’s World Class Yacht Park to keep annual maintenance chores manageable and effective.

Why Do I Need To Do Annual Maintenance on My Yacht?

Performance and fuel consumption can be adversely impacted when any part of the boat’s operating system – from its engine to its electrical systems or even its paint work – is not maintained.

Poor boat maintenance might mean a yacht that doesn’t run as fast, or an engine that vibrates, but there can also be serious malfunctions or expensive replacements which no one wants.

Some care tasks are required after every trip, and some only need to be addressed annually. Annual boat maintenance tasks include:

Mechanical check-ups
Electrical system care
Topside painting
Fabric maintenance
Waxing

For the purposes of this article we are focusing on the maintenance of the hull of the vessel which includes:

Antifouling painting and epoxy barrier coat prep
Zinc replacement
Running gear maintenance

Hull maintenance should be done as part of your annual haul-out when other care tasks can be completed too. It is most important these tasks are completed while your boat is out of the water so damage can be properly assessed and corrected before the next sailing season.

See Van Isle Marina’s ‘Boat Maintenance Checklist’ for a complete list of the boat maintenance requirements you should be addressing every year.

What is Hull Maintenance and Why is it Important?

Hull maintenance, or bottom side maintenance, is the maintenance of everything underneath the water line, from the running gear to the hull itself.

Since this part of your vessel spends most of its life underwater, it is susceptible to wear and deterioration due to salt and marine organisms like barnacles. Annual boat maintenance will clean away any grime, dirt and sea life, revitalize the running gear and provide protection for the coming year.

Hull and bottom side maintenance tasks include:

Antifouling bottom painting and epoxy barrier coat prepping

If your boat is in the water most of the time, antifouling bottom paint will need to be applied annually. These paints include biocides such as copper which discourage barnacles and other aquatic organisms from attaching themselves to your hull.

Different types of paint are available. Look at your owners’ guide or talk to an expert at Van Isle Marina to determine which paint is best for your vessel:

Ablative, also known as self-polishing, paint gradually wears away to reveal fresh biocide as water moves against your boat. Great for yachts which are taken out on the ocean regularly, but not recommended for boats that sit idle in the water for long periods.

Hard, or non-sloughing, paint creates a tough hard coating which releases biocide gradually. Ideal for fast boats as it won’t wear as quickly as ablative paint, but it will require removal before fresh paint can be applied.

Hybrid paint can hold up to fast speeds and repeated haul-outs while remaining smooth.

Epoxy barrier coat is a two-part paint that can be applied before bottom paint to fill any uneven spots and create better paint adhesion.

Changing zinc anodes

Zinc anodes, also known as sacrificial anodes, are installed on boats to protect the metal components of the boat itself from galvanic corrosion. This is an electrochemical process that happens when two different metals which are contacted electronically, are submerged in water. Without zinc anodes (which corrode faster than other metals) propellers, shafts, rudders, drives and even the hull can be significantly damaged. Zinc anodes are placed in various locations on your boat and should be replaced at least annually.

Cleaning and polishing running gear

Maintenance of running gear such as hull fittings, shafts, propellers, rudders, struts and intake grates is vital to protect the longevity of your yacht. When your boat is hauled out these should be cleaned, inspected and polished to prevent sluggish performance and engine vibrations.

Can I Get Help With My Hull Maintenance?

Although some of these maintenance tasks can be done by boat owners with some time and patience, there are a number of advantages to asking an expert to complete maintenance tasks.

They have the experience to get a smooth finish on bottom paint – a rough paint finish can result in drag that impacts speed.
The Yacht Park has the correct equipment and trained staff so tasks are done right the first time.
You can save time compared to doing it yourself.

The Yacht Park at Van Isle Marina has a great team of experts available to help with haul-outs and bottom-side maintenance tasks. If you wish to complete some maintenance work yourself, the Yacht Park offers rental scaffolding and our dedicated staff can assist you with getting the products and equipment you require.

Van Isle Marina’s World Class Yacht Park Offers Premium Maintenance Services

At Van Isle Marina, our Yacht Park features a self-propelled haul-out trailer which enables our staff to take care of everything without you even needing to be on site.

Yachts can be lifted and blocked, ready for the boat owner to complete scheduled maintenance work, or it can go directly onto the water treatment ramp where our staff can pressure wash, scrape and sand before other maintenance begins.

Van Isle Marina’s Yacht Park crew would be pleased to assist you with your bottom-side services. For any other maintenance or repair tasks, our Yacht Park staff can offer a list of approved trades who are welcome to work on your vessel on site.

For more information about the Yacht Park, dry storage and maintenance services we offer, contact us today.

How to Be a Safe Boater

If you sit in the captain’s seat of your yacht, you also take on the duty of ensuring that your boating experience is safe. In order to ensure safety of everyone on board, there are a number of things to consider:

Is the vessel itself safe to use, seaworthy and properly equipped?
Are your guests safe and do they know what to do in an emergency?
Do I know how to navigate and interact with other water users so everyone is safe?

Being responsible for safety can be daunting at first, but by following this boating safety checklist, you can feel confident that you have the equipment you need and know what to do to keep everyone safe on your vessel.

The Key Steps to Boat Safety – a Checklist

Learn: The first step to safe boating is knowledge. Anyone operating a pleasure craft in Canadian waters must complete an accredited training course and exam to receive their Pleasure Craft Operating Card. This course will teach you everything you need to know about how to be safe on the water and the equipment you must carry on board.

Equip your vessel: According to Transport Canada, there are some safety items that you must have on your vessel by law. Exact requirements may vary depending on the size of your vessel, make sure you check the safe boating guide before kitting out your yacht.

Personal Flotation Devices / Lifejackets: You must have at least one PFD per person on board. It is recommended that every passenger wears their life jacket at all times

In over 87% of drowning deaths, the victim was either not wearing a PFD or wearing one that didn’t fit correctly according to Red Cross Canada. When choosing life jackets consider the following:

Fit – life jackets have weight limits, if this limit is exceeded it may mean the wearer is not kept afloat. The PFD should fit snugly enough that it cannot be pulled up past the wearer’s chin.

Age – life Jackets for small children should have crotch straps and head supports to ensure they stay in place and keep the child’s face out of the water.

Activity – different styles of PFDs are available for different uses, i.e. with bigger arm holes for anglers.

Buoyant Heaving Line: At least 15m long, for water rescues. Also consider at least one throwable floatation device such as a ring or pillow buoy.
Manual propelling device or anchor with 15m rope: In case of engine failure.
Visual signalling devices: Approved flares or waterproof flashlights with spare batteries.
Sound signalling devices: Portable and fixed horns and whistles to attract attention and use in low visibility. Larger vessels also require a fixed bell.
Fire extinguisher: Visit Transport Canada to find the required classification of fire extinguisher for your vessel type
Bailer or hand pump: In case of water breaches or leaks.

Add an emergency kit: Although not legally required, these additional items will be invaluable in an emergency situation.

First Aid Kit – put a basic kit together yourself using this Canadian Red Cross
Documentation – boat registration, local water charts.
Communication tools – VHF Radio, marine UHF Radio, Cell Phone (know which radio channels to use for local emergency assistance and ensure someone else on board knows how to use it).
Navigation tools – charts, radar, GPS
Spare batteries
Extra water and snacks
Essential weather kit – Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, waterproof clothes.
Dry change of clothes
Knife

For more information about what an emergency kit should contain, see Van Isle Marina’s Emergency Boating Checklist.

Always do a pre-departure boat safety checklist: A pre-departure checklist is a quick and easy way to ensure that your vessel is safe and ready to go out on the water. By going through this list you can fix any problems before you set sail.

Are the oil, fuel and other fluid levels correct?
Are batteries all charged?
Is all required safety and other equipment present?
Are your lights working correctly?
Is your radio working?

Educate your guests on boating safety: Before you set sail, make sure your guests know:

Where the PFDs are and how to use them.
How to use the radio and other signalling devices.
What to do in the case of an emergency if you are incapacitated.

How Else Can I Ensure My Vessel and Guests are Safe?

Check the weather forecast: Weather systems can move in quickly at sea. Always check the local forecast before setting off and know what to do if the weather changes suddenly. Environment Canada marine weather forecasts will let you see at a glance if there are any weather warnings in your area.
File a float plan: Make sure someone on land knows your plans so they can alert authorities if you do not return as expected. Such as a friend or family member.
Navigate safely: Remember:
- Keep out of the path of larger vessels
- Use navigation lights and radar to ensure you are seen
- Don’t cause an obstruction to others
Don’t drive impaired: Almost 65% of annual boating deaths involve the use of alcohol. Alcohol and drugs reduce motor skills, judgement and ability to react. Wait until you are back in dock or on land to enjoy a drink.

Van Isle Marina – Your Yacht is Safe With Us

At Van Isle Marina our knowledgeable staff can help you to find any boating safety equipment you may require for your vessel. We can also provide any information you need to know about local waters.

At our full service marina located just outside Sidney, BC, you’ll find a marine fueling station, and dock store. You’ll also find secure, heated lockers where you can store your boat safety and emergency items. With moorage options ranging from nightly to year round, you can relax knowing your yacht is safe and secure. Contact us to find out more about our marina services today.

Boat and Hull Maintenance