Storing your boat: how to avoid mechanical problems

THE other day we were chatting with the owner of a boat that had just moved to our dock.

“I’ll just be here a couple of days. The boat’s been on the hardstand for 18 months and I’ve just come back to get going on the rest of my circumnavigation” he said.

“Hmm” we said. “How is your engine and generator after such a long haul out?” we asked.

Well, it was not good.

There were billowing clouds of smoke pouring out his boat’s exhaust, there were the clanking sounds of an unhappy engine trying to turn over and, eventually, lots of mechanics rushing to the scene. While the