Dear readers,

It pinches, the back, at least sometimes. Which automatically leads to the annual question: What winter camp jobs do I do to myself? After all, the job list (I like to call it the RPL, residual points list, a certain euphemism) is usually long and also very heterogeneous. It's a mix of regular work and maintenance as well as repairs and modifications. My list for the coming winter includes the usual things such as engine maintenance, coating the underwater hull and individual parts with antifouling, cleaning, polishing and waxing the hull and stern as well as the deck including the superstructure and cockpit. In addition, sails and running rigging are checked, cake stand, sprayhood, genoa cover and lazy bag are cleaned and impregnated. Plus rigging work, winch maintenance and a few improvements.

The question arises: What do I do myself? There are various bases of assessment or considerations: What is necessary? Where can I save money? What might be fun so that I like to do it myself? What I don't like anyway, see above, the back: painting and polishing the underwater hull. I find myself thinking: Why not give it a year off? Save around 1200 euros. Everything will be more expensive, if not downright penny-pinching, including service work and materials in winter storage. The boat is on the road a lot and in recent years there has been little fouling at the end of the season, so why not take a chance on the manufacturer's promise that the paint will last for two years? Next: I find polishing really boring. Okay, the result is nice, but the way to get there? No, I'll put that in the order. Or leave it alone, at least on deck. I can still do it during the season...

But what about the things that can cost money if there are problems? Engine maintenance, i.e. changing the oil and impeller, perhaps changing the cooling water in the internal circuit, renewing the anodes. I'll put that in the order too. After all, the engine is the most expensive single part on board and if it grates it gets really nasty.

These are the standards. Then come the little things: checking the sails and carrying out small repairs, pulling halyards out of the rig and washing them, servicing winches, rinsing blocks, rigging work, all nice projects to do at home. Best of all: cleaning all the blocks, shackles and other smaller metal parts to a high shine with the ultrasonic cleaner - a jeweller's display couldn't be more beautiful. I enjoy doing this, it sweetens up the winter weekends.

And modifications too: I would like to install a seawater pump in the galley, which can be used for washing up and also partially for cooking at sea. I want to move the lever clamp for the headsail reefing line further aft so that it can finally be reached from the wheel (why didn't the shipyard think of that?). And in future I'll run the spinnaker pole on the main boom, so I need two larger rings or stiff loops further aft on the main boom and two eyes at the front for picking. It's all straightforward, but has to be done on board. I combine this with a short trip to the Schlei.

My advice: As is so often the case, and in sailing in particular, the best compromise is the optimum combination. The owner prefers to do what he enjoys and what he is comfortable with. Safety-relevant and annoying things and those that require special expertise or tools and aids, such as an osmosis analysis, are best left to the experts. Other aspects of this: The more you do yourself, the better you get to know it and the stronger your bond with the boat becomes (if this is still possible). On the other hand, commissioned work is also subject to a guarantee.

No matter what you decideWinter can be utilised in other ways: You can expand your expertise to become more proficient in boating technology. Reading from good specialised literature can help to YouTube films Seminars at the club or organised by specialist companies on site or even professional webinars that can be consumed anywhere, regardless of location, are even better. In this context, the YACHT webinar series that deal with topics such as Antifouling, Energy supply, solar systems or the Boat care or also Speed camera, Navigation, Sail trim or the Buying a used boat.

One more thought: Safety at sea starts on land. Poor maintenance jeopardises the crew and the boat itself. And money saved is quickly forgotten when it comes to the next season and the boat doesn't work or repairs cost money, time and trouble again. After all, the joy of sailing should always take centre stage, not the annoyance of avoidable damage.

For most of us, a boat is more than just a piece of sports equipment - it is a piece of freedom, often a lifelong dream. This investment deserves the best possible care, whether by your own hands or by professionals. The main thing is that it is done conscientiously and wisely.

Have a good winter!

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of YACHT

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