The most common yacht repairs and how to fix them

While a yacht refit is used to improve the quality of a vessel or make bespoke additions to suit the owner's requirements, yacht repairs are something of a necessity. It’s inevitable at some stage during a yacht’s lifespan that repair work will need to be carried out, which makes it essential for owners and captains to have an understanding of common yacht repairs and what they entail.

While there are some issues that yacht owners will be able to call out a specialist for, there are others that are too complex and require a visit to a shipyard. Unless you know what you’re doing, it’s always best practice to seek help from an experienced professional when considering how to tackle your yacht’s repair work; a botched job can prove very costly to put right.

In this article, we cast an eye over some common yacht repairs and maintenance works that you’re likely to encounter at some stage as a yacht owner or captain.

Marine coatings: applying antifouling

Applying a marine coating is crucial in the ongoing efforts to protect a superyacht’s hull and maintaining the best performance possible. There are many different layers that offer vessels protection from marine corrosion. Antifouling is one of the most common paints used on yachts and is made with biocides that offer protection from barnacles, algae and other marine organisms.

Antifouling is an undertaking that should always be considered vitally important when thinking about yacht repairs and maintenance. It can be applied using a large brush or roller and is a job that is often outsourced to a suitable superyacht repairs painting business, although some owners might choose to carry out the work themselves.

The coating should be applied once a year to vessels that are kept in the water and every other year for yachts that spend time in dry boat storage. Failure to apply antifouling will negatively affect the yacht's performance and result in more fuel consumption due to a build-up of marine growth.

Yacht electrical repairs

There are many different electrical issues that can occur on superyachts, so having a reliable electrical engineer in your contacts book is very useful. We strongly advise against tackling electrical problems on board yourself if you don’t have the relevant knowledge and experience, as this has the potential to be very dangerous.

When it comes to yacht repairs relating to electrics, there are a few common issues:

• Batteries draining

• Corrosion of wires

• Overloaded terminals

• Circuit breakers tripping

It’s essential that a yacht's electrics are correctly maintained as failure to do so could have more serious repercussions than inconvenience alone. Poorly maintained electrical systems have the potential to cause devastating fires, so they should be checked regularly to avoid such situations from occurring.

Electrical connections can be affected by salt water, which can corrode and damage wires, causing the aforementioned fires and other system failures. It’s best practice to enlist the services of a marine electrician when these repairs are necessary - it’s worth everything being done correctly and with safety in mind. Even if you feel confident in taking on such yacht repairs yourself, it’s still a good idea to have an audit done by a professional.

Yacht fuel system issues

Many issues can arise within a yacht's fuel system that can impact the vessel’s performance and potentially cause engine failure. Stale boat fuel is common due to the fact it degrades very quickly. In time, this can clog the fuel system. If a vessel is going to be docked for a period of time (four weeks or more) then it’s important to ensure the fuel tank is empty, or use a fuel stabiliser to combat the effects.

Inside empty or low yacht fuel tanks, water can build up due to condensation. This ultimately leads to fuel becoming watered down when they are refilled. This will inevitably cause performance issues and can be a very costly repair, especially for owners who have underfloor tanks that are difficult to drain.

Performing larger repairs on a yacht's fuel system, such as removing the tank for cleaning, can be very complex and should only be carried out by trained professionals. There are some other common issues that can negatively impact a yacht's fuel system, such as dirty fuel filters, issues with the fuel primer bulb or a damaged fuel line.

Deck repairs

The deck of a superyacht is in constant use. Whether its for guest activities or socialising, it experiences constant footfall and, at the same time, is exposed to the elements. This amount of action will inevitably lead to the deck of a yacht requiring maintenance and repairs. These are important to keep on top of for a number of reasons, including the fact it will help to prevent bigger issues from occurring later on down the line.

Common yacht repairs that take place on the deck include sealing cracks and replacing rotten or damaged boards. Some jobs will be difficult to carry out alone and will require the help of a skilled carpenter or joiner.

Caulking is another common repair aboard superyachts. Due to the aforementioned heavy foot traffic and exposure to the elements, the bond between the caulk and boards can become cracked. If you’re planning on carrying out recaulking work yourself then be sure to do plenty of research - it will help you to complete this tricky task successfully.

While there are many more yacht repair and maintenance issues that owners and captains are likely to come across, these are four that regularly occur. If you do encounter problems, it’s important they’re addressed quickly in order to prevent more costly repairs later.

Are you looking for the right yacht repair business to take care of an issue aboard your superyacht? If so, browse our refit and repair listings to find specialists near you.