This article is part of the special season start. All parts:
- Cast off - how to get the new season off to a smooth start
- Checklist: Fit for the new season - the checklist
- Cleaning, polishing and care
- The best care and cleaning products for boats
- Last-minute tips from the experts at Pantaenius for the start of spring
- Checklist for the boat trailer
- The best tips from the Pantaenius specialist
- Changing the oil in a boat engine - here's how!
- Special pumps - changing oil in no time at all
- To check the cooling circuit
- How to renew the antifouling
- Boat equipment - the more, the better
Mr Ammann, you have been with the largest broker of boat policies for 20 years, why do you think the start of the season is so important?
Dirk AmmannQuite simply, preparation is the best way to start a trip safely and get through the season without damage. Of course, not everything that can happen on the water can be avoided with regular checks and the right tools. However, at least 15 per cent of the damage registered by us, or a total of around 1000 per year, can be attributed to a lack of care and maintenance. The number of unreported cases is probably somewhat higher. As a rule, it is not a lack of willpower, but perhaps rather a lack of time management. We therefore consider it extremely important to plan and prepare the start of the season properly.
What damage specifically does Pantaenius attribute to maintenance and servicing deficiencies?
These include water ingress due to dilapidated water-bearing fittings or on-board outlets, fire and scorch damage in the electrical and cabling area and, in particular, engine damage caused by soiling, corrosion or simply normal wear and tear.
Are these problems that didn't exist before?
The problem is probably older than Pantaenius, but we realise that maintenance backlogs and the resulting problems are increasing. Today, boats are increasingly becoming a means to an end and are no longer necessarily the centre of their owners' lives. That probably sounds like a romanticisation of the good old days, but it's not necessarily meant that way. In the past, winter work on the boat was simply more natural and the boats were of course somewhat smaller and technically less complex. In 2000, a boat insured with us worth around 60,000 euros was on average just over eight metres long. Twenty years later, we are well over nine metres. Inflation factored in. Not to mention the amount of wiring harnesses and electronics today. The general ageing process of the steel and GRP fleet naturally also contributes to this effect and ensures that there are now more old boats for relatively less money, but I think the trend is becoming clear.
In your opinion, what can the owner still manage well today and what would he rather leave in the hands of a specialised company?
It's hard for us to give a generalised answer to this and it has a lot to do with personal skill and the type of boat. After all, there is no such thing as a single winter check, and there is hardly a single shipyard that can check, assess and maintain all the relevant systems. There are many different trades that come into play. In my experience, it is best to document all service intervals in the logbook in as much detail as possible. If you are unsure, you can easily obtain the necessary information on the Internet or with personal advice at the next trade fair. Even if a specialised company is commissioned, it cannot be assumed across the board that they know all the key data exactly and the manufacturers will not automatically remind owners to comply with the corresponding intervals, as is perhaps the case with new cars.
Apart from the question of what is feasible for laymen, what are the absolute no-goes when it comes to do-it-yourself from a boat insurance perspective? Is there even such a thing?
Hands off when it comes to live cables and electrical installations. Improper wiring, corroded plug connections and the like are one of the most common causes of fires on board and total losses. Only very few people are likely to have the knowledge and skills required to carry out such work safely, either professionally or due to personal talent. When it comes to sea valves, shaft bearings, bellows, etc., a personal inspection is often feasible, but only if you have been told by an experienced practitioner what you are actually looking for.
You mentioned time management at the beginning. Why do some owners fail?
If you want to place orders, you should do so towards the end of the season. In other words, when the ship is still in the water. Service providers can then schedule the work well and you have the opportunity to react to any problems you discover. What's more, sometimes it's the little things that make a difference in the end and you can usually see them best when you're still sailing the boat. How do the parts actually behave under load? Placing orders in spring, on the other hand, is usually difficult. Owners should limit themselves to safety-related aspects rather than cosmetic corrections, as most specialised companies are already booked up.
What advice can be given to inexperienced owners to avoid the time trap?
It helps to keep track of all the things you have noticed during the season. Where is it dripping, where is there a stiff part and where is there suddenly too much play? Postponing all checks and maintenance work until the off-season is hardly advisable anyway. Anyone who undertakes longer tours should logically also carry out regular functional and visual checks during the season. Routine prevents nasty surprises. Motorcyclists, hobby pilots and even cyclists know the principle. If you also have a supplementary checklist with the most important points for the installed systems, you are optimally equipped for efficient work in winter storage.
If something important has been forgotten or there is simply not enough time but the harbour operator urges you to clear the space: don't be put off. There is often the possibility of delaying the craning a little longer, e.g. in open storage or on alternative sites, for a small fee, without holding up the whole operation.
In the event of a claim, does the insurance company check whether and when maintenance work was carried out?
No, the insurance company does not initially check which service intervals have been adhered to. The only exceptions are extensions to our cover, for example for engine and machine systems. As the benefits here go far beyond the usual manufacturer's warranty, it is mandatory for us to adhere to the maintenance intervals specified by the engine manufacturer in this case. However, nobody has to take out the corresponding additional module Engine Protection Plus. In addition, the insurance company will of course check what caused the damage. However, owners with a good insurance provider should not be fooled by this. Although high-quality policies exclude the defective part itself, they do cover the consequential damage. A sea valve that 'gives up' due to ageing will therefore not be replaced. However, the resulting damage in the event of water ingress is covered.
What is the situation when taking out insurance?
We take a closer look at steel boats, for example. From 30 years of age, we would like to know whether the hull is in good condition. The best way to check this is with a sound report. After all, insurance is designed to protect against the unexpected. However, our statistics show that water ingress in steel yachts becomes more and more likely with increasing age. At a certain point, it is no longer a question of if something will happen, but when. Such a check is relatively simple, as is the necessary repair if the material thickness is too thin. Corrosion is just part of it and as an owner you should be aware of the consequences. However, once a boat is covered, good insurance providers, as already mentioned, generally do not impose any maintenance or inspection requirements. However, it is in your own interest not to overdo this. In the end, you will probably be on board yourself if the boat sinks.
Thank you very much, Mr Ammann. You have the closing words
Damage does not remain without damage. We don't say this because we like the role of being the critic, but because we have been dealing with the smaller and larger problems of yacht owners every day for over 50 years. Even if most of the damage is insured, the annoyance for those affected is still great. Murphy's Law at work. When things go wrong, they happen at the most unfavourable time and in the most unfavourable place. These days, for example, the supply of spare parts or free spaces in repair shops cannot always be taken for granted. Not to mention new boats. At the end of the day, however, I am ultimately entrusting my life to the boat and should treat it with appropriate reverence. With the right planning, I have more time for the essentials, which for me are first and foremost the fun of boating and long days on the water.
This article is part of the special season start. All parts:
- Cast off - how to get the new season off to a smooth start
- Checklist: Fit for the new season - the checklist
- Cleaning, polishing and care
- The best care and cleaning products for boats
- Last-minute tips from the experts at Pantaenius for the start of spring
- Checklist for the boat trailer
- The best tips from the Pantaenius specialist
- Changing the oil in a boat engine - here's how!
- Special pumps - changing oil in no time at all
- To check the cooling circuit
- How to renew the antifouling
- Boat equipment - the more, the better
