What to pay attention to when preserving an engine?

Prolonged inactivity

Regardless of how long you plan to keep your yacht, you must consider the importance of properly maintaining the boat's systems. Particularly important systems are motors and batteries. In this material we will talk about general tips regarding preparing the engine for long-term downtime. 

In principle, there are several basic tips for preserving the engine on a yacht. One of the first stages of preparation will be a complete maintenance of the engine and gearbox (transmission) before preservation. During servicing, the oil should be changed to ensure that all internal moving parts of the engine are coated with new, clean oil. In addition, it is recommended to keep the fuel tank full throughout the storage period. If you are storing the yacht for the winter, the tank trick will minimize the formation of condensation.

Engine cooling system

If your engine has an indirect cooling system, it is recommended to flush the part of the system that uses sea water. Next, disconnect the hose that supplies seawater to the cooling system. 

Place this hose in a previously prepared container with fresh water and antifreeze. After this, turn on the engine and let the cooling system run using a mixture of antifreeze and water. This mixture will circulate through the cooling system, cleaning it of residual seawater. Continue washing until the container with the mixture is empty. This will help protect the yacht's engine cooling system from freezing.

Checking and preserving the engine air system

First, you should check the condition of the exhaust tract (aka exhaust pipe). After this, disconnect the air filter. A good option is to spray water-repellent oil into the exhaust and air intake systems. 

When we are convinced that the condition of the air system is satisfactory, we can mothball it. To do this, you can seal the air intakes - some yachtsmen use ordinary plastic bags. Thanks to this simple design, moisture can be prevented from entering.

You should also check all outlet hoses for kinks and contamination, especially the exhaust hose. The exhaust hose (pipe) must be blocked during the conservation period. It all depends on what conditions the boat will be in. If the boat remains on the water, keep in mind that the exhaust must be blocked, since the yacht is in danger of flooding when idle. If the boat is in dry dock, you can leave the exhaust open for additional ventilation of the hull.

Ventilation and heating on a yacht

Interior spaces must be provided with adequate ventilation to prevent the spread of mold and condensation. It is also important for the engine to provide normal ventilation. 

One option to maintain normal humidity levels on board is to use dehumidifiers or heaters. However, it is not recommended to leave these devices unattended.

To dry dock!

What if the yacht is sent to dry dock for conservation? Well, then we have an excellent opportunity to see the condition of the underwater part. In this case, be sure to clean the propeller and also check the anodes. It's probably time to change them. It would also be a good idea to update the anti-fouling coating if necessary. 

New video on the Interparus channel!

Almost live reporting from Dusseldorf - the long-awaited premiere of Dufour 44 took place! Sasha Goron will tell and show all the most interesting features of the new yacht. Enjoy watching!

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01.02.2024