On deck

Do a full-deck inspection. Look for cracks, loose stanchions, saggy lifelines and anything else that isn’t quite right. Some of these are quick fixes, but others, like cracks, should be investigated to see if they are cause for concern.

It’s a good time to freshen up paint.

Varnish teak handrails or trim if needed. It takes more work to bring teak back from a serious state of disrepair than to keep up on maintaining it regularly, don’t let this slide too many years in a row. If it’s in really bad shape you may have to start from scratch and remove all previous finishes with a heat gun or chemical stripper. Otherwise you may be able to get by with a thorough sanding. 

Like all jobs involving coatings, most of the work is in the preparation, so don’t rush that step. When it’s time to apply varnish, thin the first coat by about 20%. Wet sand with 220-grit paper between coats, and use 320-grit paper before the final coat for a glasslike finish you’ll admire all season.

Check deck hardware. Make sure it is clean and thoroughly rinsed with freshwater, then lubricate blocks and ball bearings with something like McLube OneDrop to make sure everything is running free.

Clean winches. If it’s been awhile since you’ve opened up your winches or if they don’t spin as freely as they used to, it may be time for a good cleaning. Make sure to keep track of how they come apart (and therefore how they go back together). A few snaps with your smartphone camera can be helpful. Before you start, have new springs and pawls ready as it’s likely some will need replacing.

Last, but certainly not least, give the decks a good scrub. Between the dust and dirt that can collect in a boatyard or while sitting unattended for a long stretch, and the grime created from all those other jobs, the deck is bound to be a mess. Make sure to use a sponge rather than a brush on areas without nonskid. You can shine up stainless steel with a specialty polish and Soft Scrub or liquid Barkeeper’s Friend does a great job cleaning coated lifelines.