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Home>The Model Range>Care instructions>Summer maintenance
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Wash and maintenance
Regular maintenance extends the life of your boat and retains its value. This is why it is worth removing any visible dirt always after use and giving it a proper wash at regular intervals. Bird droppings are easiest to remove right away, but you can also let them dry and brush them off later. Boat shops sell many boat care chemicals for various purposes: washing and cleaning agents, rubbing compounds and waxes. Ask for more at your local shop!
Rainwater drainage valve
The latest boats often have an automatic rainwater drainage system to keep the undecked space free of rainwater while the boat is in the water. The system also works ashore when the bow is higher than the aft and the rainwater drainage valve is open.
When you are carrying a heavy load, you may have to close the valve, so remember to check regularly whether the valve is open or closed. Check at the same time that there is no rubbish, such as tree leaves in the outlet pipe. NOTE! The drainage system does not work in temperatures below freezing.
Bilge water
Some water will always condense in the bilge. Through-holes in the hull may also let water through as a boat gets older. Remember to check the boat's bilge whenever you moor the boat or tie it to a buoy and also when you start off, because water in the bilge weakens the handling properties.
If there is water in the bilge, you will find a small maintenance hatch inside the rear seat in your Yamarin (this is where the rainwater drainage close valve is located). Use a tube-like bilge pump or a pump with a flexible suction hose.
Stability and buoyancy
Boats become less stable when weight is added higher up. Any changes in the positioning of weight may have a dramatic affect on the boat's stability, trim and performance.
Boats under 6 metres in length are equipped with floating material (which must not be removed), which will keep the boat afloat also if filled with water and with the highest permitted load. The floating material must not be removed for example as a result of making extra storage in the boat.
Filling up
Turn off the motor before filling up to avoid the danger of fire or explosion. Do not use switches or equipment that may cause sparks.
When filling up at a petrol station, do not use a plastic funnel, because it prevents the discharge of static electricity between the petrol pump nozzle and the fuel tip. Check after filling up that no fuel has leaked into the bilge or engine compartment. Clean away any fuel that has leaked.
Do not store spare canisters in unventilated spaces or without securing them in place. Do not store loose items in the tank storage that may damage the fuel system if they move about. Check that the fuel pipes are not worn at the through-holes. Replace immediately any brittle or damaged pipes and bulb pumps.
NOTE! If your boat has a teak deck, it is advisable to wet it with water before filling the tank to prevent any spilt petrol from being absorbed in the wood and staining it.
Fire prevention
If a boat has an outboard motor of more than 25 kW (34 hp), there must be an approved 2 kg hand extinguisher on board. The fire extinguisher must be inspected and maintained once a year. Extinguishers that are over 10 years old are not accepted without a new pressure test.
Always make sure that the fire extinguisher and other fire extinguishing equipment are readily available also when the boat has been loaded. Keep the bilge clean and check regularly for any fuel or gas fumes or fuel leaks. Gasified fuel is can explode easily. The smell of fuel always means that there is gasified fuel on your boat.
NOTE! Switch the power off from the main switch when you leave the boat, but NEVER switch off the power from the main switch while the motor is running, as this may damage the dynamo.
Safety switch
The safety switch is an important piece of equipment: one end of it is connected to the ignition lock panel or in some models to the remote control equipment, while the other end is attached to the life jacket you are wearing, for example. The safety switch turns off the motor automatically as it is released from the ignition lock panel.
NOTE! Never use the boat without attaching the safety switch onto yourself. The motor will not start unless the safety switch is inserted in the ignition lock panel.
Propeller
A rotating propeller can be deadly to anyone in the water near the boat. This is why you should always use the safety switch and turn off the motor when a swimmer or water skier is climbing into the boat.
Seat cushions
Although the seat cushions are usually made of water-resistant materials, they can become mouldy and be damaged after long exposure to humidity. This is why the cushions should be stored in a dry place overnight and when the boat is not being used. Use protective bags to protect the front seats.
Manoeuvring the boat
You can quickly learn to manoeuvre a motor boat, but changing conditions, such as wind and waves, often put the driver into new situations.
Fasten all heavy equipment such as anchors securely before setting off.
Protect the environment
The Finnish archipelago and lakes are unique and preserving the Finnish nature is a matter of honour for boat enthusiasts. Therefore you should
- Try to avoid fuel or oil spills or leaks
- Not throw litter or waste in the waters or beaches
- Not let washing agents or solvents into water
- Avoid loud noise both on the move and in harbours
- Slow down in narrow channels and shallows to avoid making a high wake.
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