What To Check For On My Engine, Gear, or Generator?
What makes a yacht usable and enjoyable is it’s equipment (Engines, Gears, Generators). These pieces of equipment are essentially the vital organs of a yacht. In this section we provide a list of important things to check on your yachts equipment pre & post operation. We actually go through every part of this list when doing mechanical surveys, and this list should be thought of as like mini mechanical survey. It’s meant to be quick and effective at either spotting issues before they become worse, or giving you that extra confidence at sea. While we could probably create an entire book on things to check for, this list is tuned to be practical for everyday use. The bottom of this page will include a print out, so you can get familiar with what to check for on your yacht.
Check Before Starting Your Vessel’s Equipment
Fluids If there was one thing we’d recommend checking before even starting the engine or generator on your yacht, it would be the fluids. Let’s run through the list:
Oil - Check the oil level on your engines, gears, and generators. Make sure the level is no lower then the minimum and no higher then the maximum, and take a mental note of the oil color.
Coolant - Check the coolant level on the engines and generators, and make sure it is not dirty or discolored.
Steering Fluid - Some engines are equipped with a power steering pump. On that pump there will be a dipstick for you to check it’s fluid just like an engine. Make sure the level is no lower then the minimum and no higher then the maximum, and take a mental note of the fluid color.
Leaks & Smells Leaks and smells are also very good things to note before taking your yacht out for a spin.
Leaks - A quick way to identify concerning leaks is by looking into the area underneath the engine, gear, or generator. Whether it’s the bilge or a pan, if there is fluid in there then it came from somewhere. Look around for signs of saltwater, oil, coolant, and fuel leaks. It’s also wise to look for things that could pose a risk of leaking while under way such as hoses that are cracking.
Smells - Note any smells of gas, diesel, propane, or the smell of something burnt. If any of those smells are noted identify the source, so that it can be addressed.