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One of the advantages of working with us is our experienced
service staff. Here are answers to some questions frequently
asked by our customers.
Q What should
I do in the event of a hurricane?
A Storm and hurricane preparedness
is an important part of boat ownership. Even with modern weather
equipment and storm coverage in the media, notice of a hurricane
landfall will only give you about 48 hours to prepare. Planning
ahead will insure you have taken the necessary steps to protect
your investment. The potential does exist for a hurricane or
other major storm to occur when boats are in the water. Our
first line of defense is to closely monitor the weather forecasts.
Long before a severe weather watch is issued for our area we
are watching the weather and its possible impact on us. If a
hurricane watch (hurricane force winds within 36 hours) is issued
for our area, we will haul as many boats as possible. Boats
have a better chance of riding out a storm safely on land or
a strong mooring rather than on a dock where cleats, dock hardware
and pilings are likely to fail. We will work as long as the
tides and weather permit. You can do your part to prepare by
removing all canvas tops, sails, or other deck equipment that
could become a projectile in storm or hurricane force winds.
Please be assured that, if a hurricane or other extreme weather
does threaten York Harbor, the staff will do our very best to
protect your property.
Q What is Rack
Service?
A One question I am often asked is “what is Rack Service”.
Rack Storage, Dry Rack, High & Dry Storage are all names that
are used to describe an alternative to in-water dockage. Rack
Service combines the safety of storing your boat on land, the
cost savings of not having to wash and paint the bottom of your
boat each year and the convenience of having your boat in the
water when you want to use it. The procedure is quite simple.
Your boat is kept in our steel building in a “rack” designated
for your vessel. When you are anticipating using your boat,
you give us a call during our regular business hours and tell
us when you will be arriving. (Same day launches must be called
in no later than 60 minutes before closing.) Before you arrive,
the boat is removed from the rack building with a forklift specifically
designed for this operation and then rinsed off with fresh water
just before launching. When you arrive you will find your boat
tied at the dock, fueled, and ready to go. When you return from
your day of boating, the gas tank is refilled, the boat is hauled
and rinsed with fresh water, and stored in your designated spot
until your next boating adventure.
Q What happens to all of the shrink
wrap and wood framing used to cover the boats during the winter?
A Most of it is recycled. The contractor we use to cover
and uncover the boats uses a torch to reduce the volume of the
plastic to about a 2'X2'X2' cube and then sends it off for recycling.
The wood framing is cut up and sold for camp firewood.
Q Why should
I cover my boat for the winter?
A For many it does
require a lot of work to install a properly fitted cover to
keep it from collapsing due to the weight of the snow or a lot
of money for a professional to install Shrink-wrap — so
why bother. There are many reasons to cover your boat. The first
is to keep out the rain and snow to allow everything to dry
out. As most know water will accumulate under rail fittings,
hatches, hinges, rub rails and the like. If the water is allowed
to continue collecting under these fittings, when the weather
drops below freezing the ice that forms may break or loosen
them enough to create a leak into the boat and as luck would
have it that leak will be right over a piece of electrical work
or even your bunk. Also by covering your boat it will remain
clean and protected from the harsh elements of Mother Nature
including sun fading. Just replacing weather worn cushions could
cost thousands of dollars and it is hard to match the original
material supplied by the manufacturer. So we recommend always
covering your boat as soon as possible to protect your investment
during the off season. — Steve
Q What are
some key things to remember when getting my boat ready for a
new boating season?
A These are the two most important
things you should do:
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1. Check your propeller.
Propellers should be balanced and the blades at the same
pitch. Even the smallest ding or bend in the blades will
cause premature failure of the lower unit seals or the
cutlass bearing on inboard drives. If you do find a defect,
bring your prop in early so we can have it repaired before
your scheduled launching.
2. Replace your zinc anodes annually.
As the anodes begin to deteriorate, their life expectancy
diminishes at a greater rate as they get smaller. So even
if they show only a small amount of deterioration, it's
doubtful they will last the entire season.
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Send your boat maintenance and repair questions to service@yorkharbormarine.com.
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Frequently
Asked Questions
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