Is Your Yacht in Safe Hands While You're at Home?

Introducing Our New Yacht Remedial Works Management Service: Your Yacht in Safe Hands While You're Home

Owning a yacht is a dream come true for many sea enthusiasts. The thrill of sailing the open waters, the freedom to explore new horizons, and the luxurious experience it offers are unparalleled. However, like any valuable possession, yachts require regular maintenance and occasional remedial works to keep them in pristine condition. I understand that being away from your beloved yacht during these necessary repairs can be disheartening. But fear not! I am excited to announce my new service in Preveza and Lefkada Marinas and Boatyards, specifically designed to put your mind at ease while you're home.

The Yacht Remedial Works Management Service

My Yacht Remedial Works Management Service is tailored to cater to yacht owners who want to ensure their vessels receive the best care and attention, even when they can't be present during repairs or maintenance. I am dedicated to offering a comprehensive and seamless solution that guarantees your yacht remains in safe hands.

How It Works

1. Transparent Assessment: When you reach out to me with your yacht's maintenance requirements, I will conduct a thorough assessment of the necessary remedial works. I will provide you with a detailed report outlining the scope of the repairs, estimated timelines, and cost projections.

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3. Constant Communication: Throughout the entire process, I will maintain open lines of communication with you. I will keep you updated on the progress of the repairs, sharing photos and videos of the work being carried out, so you can witness firsthand the attention your yacht is receiving from the boatyards involved.

Your Peace of Mind, Our Priority

At Yacht-Surveys-Greece, we understand the emotional attachment yacht owners have with their vessels. My Yacht Remedial Works Management Service is not just about fixing what's broken; it's about preserving the essence of your yachting dreams. By entrusting me with the care of your yacht while you're home, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your investment is being looked after with the utmost dedication and professionalism.

Get in Touch

If you're planning remedial works for your yacht and want a reliable partner to manage the process on your behalf, reach out to me today. Let me take care of your yacht, so you can focus on creating more unforgettable memories on the open seas. My passion for yachts matches yours, and I'm eager to make this service the perfect solution for yacht owners like you.

Fair winds and smooth sailing!

Reviews: Throughout the project, Steve's communication was impeccable. He kept me informed every step of the way, providing regular updates on the progress and addressing any concerns promptly. His responsiveness and willingness to answer questions demonstrated his commitment to customer satisfaction. Mr. Barry Thomas.

Reviews: First and foremost, Steve displayed a deep understanding of yacht maintenance and repair. He meticulously assessed the issues and provided clear explanations of the required remedial works. This instilled confidence in me, knowing that my yacht was in capable hands. Mrs. Joy Cook.

The Erosion of Craftsmanship: Unveiling the Poor Build Quality of Modern Yachts

Introduction:

In the world of luxury sailing and leisure, yachts have long epitomised elegance, opulence, and a seamless combination of design and engineering. However, as we traverse further into the modern era, a growing concern has emerged among yachting enthusiasts and experts alike—the declining build quality of contemporary yachts. In this blog post, we'll explore the key factors contributing to this issue and the implications it holds for both owners and the future of yachting.

Plywood should be sealed....

1. Mass Production and Cost Cutting: One of the primary culprits behind the poor build quality of modern yachts is the industry's shift towards mass production. In an effort to meet increasing demand and reduce costs, many yacht manufacturers have outsourced production to countries with lower labor expenses, leading to compromises in craftsmanship and attention to detail. As a result, the once-pristine art of yacht-building has been replaced with an assembly line mentality, leading to subpar materials and construction practices.

The valve is only 8 years old. 

Different! 

2. Material Substitution: Traditionally, yacht builders utilized high-quality materials like solid wood, stainless steel, and fine fabrics to ensure sturdiness and longevity. Unfortunately, due to cost constraints, modern yachts often incorporate cheaper alternatives, sacrificing durability and resilience. The prevalence of lightweight composites and synthetic materials may improve fuel efficiency but come at the expense of reduced structural integrity, leading to issues like delamination and premature wear.

This mast step was only 9 years old. Cheap materials. 

3. Limited Lifespan: Regrettably, modern yacht construction prioritises short-term gains over long-lasting quality. This approach results in yachts with limited lifespans, requiring frequent repairs and replacements. Such a disposable mindset not only harms the environment but also contradicts the very essence of luxury sailing, which should embody a timeless elegance.

5 years old

4. Overemphasis on Aesthetics: While a visually striking yacht is undeniably appealing, it should not come at the cost of compromising build quality. Some manufacturers prioritise aesthetic design over structural soundness, leading to yachts that may look stunning but lack the resilience required to withstand harsh marine conditions.

Tupperware comes to mind! 

5. Lack of Skilled Craftsmanship: The art of yacht-building demands skilled craftsmanship, honed through years of experience and dedication. However, with the industry's growing focus on automation and mass production, the demand for traditional craftsmanship has declined. The scarcity of skilled artisans contributes to the erosion of build quality, as there are fewer individuals with the expertise to create robust and meticulously crafted vessels. Conclusion: The allure of a luxurious yacht has always been intertwined with masterful craftsmanship, uncompromising quality, and the promise of unforgettable voyages across the seas. Regrettably, the modern yachting industry is grappling with a decline in build quality, largely driven by cost-cutting measures, mass production, and the disregard for skilled craftsmanship. As conscientious consumers and enthusiasts, it's essential to advocate for a return to the core values that define yachting excellence. By supporting manufacturers that prioritise quality over quantity, we can hope to revive the art of yacht-building and ensure that future generations can continue to revel in the majesty of sailing the high seas with the utmost confidence and pride.

7 Checks after grounding a yacht!

As a marine surveyor, I’ve seen a huge range of yachts that have suffered groundings of variable severity. Sometimes the damage is obvious and it’s clear that repairs are needed. Sometimes, though, the damage is more subtle, but no less dangerous. Skippers who aren’t aware of what to look for have sailed on for months with their boat in a precarious condition.

With this in mind, I’ve put together a quick list of areas to check if you ever touch the bottom yourself in a GRP yacht. It’s not an exhaustive list, but hopefully it will give a good overview of areas that need attention. These checks can be useful, too, for those in the market for a used yacht. Sometimes sellers are not aware of the damage themselves.

KEEL: Owners are often lulled into a false sense of security if they’ve gone aground lightly on sand. However, sand underwater is like concrete. They might have been sailing at only 5-6 knots, but the tidal stream rate, wave height and angle of heel all play a big role in how the craft fares. I’ve seen the aft edge of a lead keel bent into an S-shape after a yacht has grounded when virtually upright. If you haul out, check for this by laying a straight edge along the aft edge. In professional hands, many lead keels can be straightened. With cast iron keels, the impact is not absorbed so well through the keel. Check for signs of stress crazing around the gelcoat where the keel joins the hull. Trouble spots at the front and rear of the keel are often easiest to find. On removal of the gelcoat, you’ll often find the hull’s reinforcement material is compromised. Due to the nature of gelcoat, hairline cracks take time to become visible to the eye, so periodic checks are vital. If damage has been found, it is prudent to remove the keel. With bilge-keelers, even if there is no damage internally, I’ve seen instances where the keels have splayed apart, bending the studs. This sort of damage needs to be assessed out of the water.

Look at the condition of the keel studs and check for any weeping. On some craft the first bolt and the aft stud are a smaller gauge, to reduce the chance of splitting the casting. This can result in the material being stretched. Also look for ‘tea-stains’ around the fastenings, a sure sign of water ingress. Don’t feel frightened to ring the studs with a hammer. If you do this on a regular basis, you will soon know when there is a problem – a dull sound often confirms the worst.

KEEL STUDS: Lots of boats built in the 1970s and 1980s have encapsulated ballast, where the keel is part of the hull moulding. The GRP fin contains steel punchings (the pellet of steel that is left after punching out the centre of a washer) and no bolts or studs. I’ve found these to be very strong and you only need to ensure the GRP casing is not compromised, leaving the punchings open to potential rusting.

SOLE BOARDS: After any grounding, I always recommend removal of the sole boards above the keel. This may require some careful work with a screwdriver, but once the boards are up, check the whole area for stress cracks and any detachment of items bonded in. On fin-keeled boats built since the mid-1980s, which are more likely to have a hollow-core matrix bonded in to provide support, it’s important to check right back under the engine bed.

SKIN FITTINGS: Grounding a twin-skinned hull could result in the skin fitting collar being stretched.

A bigger problem can be detachment of the inner skin moulding from the outer hull where the bonding has failed. 

BULKHEADS: Bulkheads add rigidity to a hull but can also cause damage in a grounding. If the bulkhead has been bonded in tightly, it can produce a line of stress on both sides of the craft. On some boats, I’ve seen this spread up the side of the hull and across the deck moulding too. Bulkheads can also become detached. Most grounding force seems to push the back end of the keel casting upwards, which on traditionally laid-out craft is in line with the chart table and galley. Look in lockers, cupboards and under the chart table for detachment. On boats built before the mid-1980s, check for detachment of the floors, where they are bonded into the hull. I once found a Rival 34 where the floors had completely detached, allowing the hull to twist.

RUDDER: I’ve seen the pintles of transom-hung rudders stretched or bent and fittings pulled right through the transom. However, less obvious is when they are just weakened. Again, look for gelcoat crazing around the fittings. If the rudder stock is housed within a tube, check the bonding of the tube into the hull and the gland or method of sealing. Many new production craft use lip seals. Normally, lip seals are reliable, but if the rudder blade is forced upwards they can become dislodged and then leak when the stock is turned.

CONCLUSION: Some East Coast sailors bump their keels almost every time they go sailing and think nothing of it unless the tide’s falling. Similarly, bilge-keelers nearly always bump a bit as they take the ground. In both of these cases, personal experience is the key to knowing when you need to check for damage. Generally, though, I would advise never to underestimate the smallest of accidental groundings. At the very least, check properly in the bilges for the slightest clue that there is a problem – even minor weeping around the fastenings is a clear giveaway. And remember that gelcoat stresses don’t always show immediately, so periodic checks are important.

If anything looks suspect, get the boat out the water at once and contact your insurance company, which should have experienced staff to deal with this type of claim and in most cases will appoint a qualified surveyor to report the extent of the damage.

Article written by Marine Surveyor

• Ben Sutcliffe-Davies