Here is a quick checklist of summer maintenance recommendations, organized by product type.

Thrusters
Windlasses
Windshield Wipers
Gangways and Davits

Thrusters:

• Check zincs for wear. If they are half eroded, they should be replaced.
• Check the props for barnacle growth. Even a very small amount of growth will reduce performance dramatically.
• Check the gearleg oil feed tube for water. If the oil is milky, there is a water leak and the gearleg should be serviced by a qualified marine technician.
• Check the gearleg oil reservoir level. EP90 gear oil is recommended. If unavailable, 80-90 or 85-90 weight gear oil can be substituted.
• Inspect all electrical cable connections for corrosion and tightness.
• Check to be sure the motor mounting bolts are not loose.
• Ensure the thruster compartment is free of clutter. The thruster motor creates heat with prolonged usage, so it is important that there are no objects in contact with the motor.
• The thruster motor should not get wet, and no damp or wet items should be in the thruster compartment.
• If the thruster compartment is humid, consider leaving the compartment open for ventilation when the boat is not in use.

Windlasses:

• Disassemble chainwheel/clutch cone system and lubricate all moving parts and fasteners.
• Clean all polished/chromed or painted parts with mild detergent.
• Check the rope/chain splice. If the chain is tight in the splice, soak in water with fabric softener. if the splice is still tight after this process, remove the splice and re-splice to the other end (bitter end) of the rode.
• Check the rode for hockles/pigtails.
• Check the electrical cable connections for corrosion and tightness.
• For horizontal windlasses, check the windlass housing for wear.

Windshield Wipers:

• Check the condition of the wiper blades. If they need to be replaced, contact Imtra or your local supplier.
• The wiper arms and blades should be washed after every use of the vessel, paying special attention to the pivot points.
• Lubricate the wiper arm pivot point.
• Check that the arm pivots freely and springs back such that the wiper blade is applying slight pressure against the windshield.

Gangways and Davits:

• Wash regularly with mild detergent. Gangways should be extended for cleaning with special attention to the gangway rails. NOTE: Do not spray down with high pressure hose.
• Check for hydraulic leaks.
• Check the fluid level in the reservoir:
  • For external gangways, check fluid level with the gangway retracted and lowered.
  • For internally mounted gangways, check fluid level with the gangway fully retracted.
  • For davits, check fluid level with the cable fully retracted, and the boom retracted and down.