Hauling any boat is a big project, being prepared can significantly decrease the time you spend in the yard. Here is our yearly to do list when our boat is high and dry:
Trawler being hauled out
The bottom: This is usually the biggest project. Check and see what you are growing down there, you might have started an entire ecosystem. As cool as that is, without those extra critters you will ride much more efficiently. The bottom must be scraped, power washed, sanded, and panted with anti fouling paint to prevent that coral reef from reforming.
Fresh coat of bottom paint
Hull: It has been a year.. I am sure there are a few scuffs here and there that could be touched up. This is also a good time to do any re caulking. Those hard to reach places on the outside of the rails are much easier to get from a scaffold then from a dingy.
Through-hulls: Those critters we talked about before can find homes anywhere. It is important to make sure the through hulls are completely clear so you are getting a good flow of water to cool the engine, run the A.C., and to the head.
Prop: Chips and dings can lead to unwanted vibrations that could possibly damage the drive train. Most work yards have contacts to get props checked and balanced.
Painted prop with new zinc
Stuffing box: This is a great time to clean out and repack the stuffing box (way safer to do it on land than in the water)
Zincs: Also, known as sacrificial anodes are added to counteract galvanic corrosion. Be sure to replace the zincs to keep the propeller and running gear from deteriorating.
Zincs with plenty of life left
Every boat is different but these projects are necessary no matter what make or model you have. Creating a plan, having tools and supplies ready, and working efficiently can save you time and money when it comes to hauling your boat.
Hi, My husband Bob and I are retiring to a trawler this year and we learn something new each time we watch one of your vids. Thank you so much keep em coming. The only question I have is that we found the perfect trawler. Almost exactly like your but a few feet longer. Only prob is that the broker told us the owner ran it aground once on the way to mexico and it broke off a piece of metal down under by the prop and keel. he said he didnt feel it was a performance issue and when we had it hauled out we could survey it. Problem is it costs almost 1200 to have it hauled out and surveyed. I didnt feel it was proper to pay that much money for something that could potentially not be worth the buy.Did you two have to pay to haul it out before purchase? That doesn’t sound right. 1200 dollars to see if we want to buy it?? wow. It is exactly the lay out we want for the boat we need. We like the fact its a 1978 because in one of your very informative videos you had mentioned the ones before the 80’s and 90’s were thick fiberglass. The galley is set up like your too and we like that as well. Everything one this boat is just what we want , in our price range except for the piece of metal underneath and the haul out. Do you know what metal piece we are referring to?? havent seen any video of underneath your rig as of yet so as to see what he’s talking about. It would be much cheaper if we could see another boat that close to ours 1978 Marine trader tri-cabin. is there any books that have a diagram maybe? thanks for ANY info. God bless
Hello Tula Crew, I would like to know more about the Catamaran, year, size, would it be easy to handle than an power boat, and the coast of traveling from Alabama-to-Bahamas. I have asked around and most people say if your going to buy a power boat, I should buy a Bayliner 4788, but what is the difference. I might would be traveling alone, If you were going to leave on the boat full time, which would you pick?
Thanks,
Mike