November 22nd, 2021
A very busy yachting season is drawing to a close for our guardiennage team. However, there is no time to rest as the next task is to prepare the Berthon guardiennage fleet for the winter.
We recommend that all sailing yachts under our care have their sails removed for checking, repairing and a thorough clean. Once returned to top condition, they are carefully stored in our sail storage facility in Son Oms for the winter.
To stop the clock on any UV damage and prevent any chaffing in bad weather, all running rigging is then removed for washing and a check over. And finally, putting a dehumidifier aboard your yacht during the winter months is advised to prevent any damage from humidity to the interior.
Next, we turn our attention to the tenders. Be it a RIB or a jet ski, dry storage in our Big Blue Shed is by far the best option. Once on site, they are washed, serviced, and wrapped in plastic until next season. Leaving a tender out on davits, deck or on a swim platform can lead to damage in the winter, and it is also exposed to 6 months of harsh weather.
Many of the yachts under our care have full winter covers, which are fantastic for protecting the teak and deck hardware. Over the next few weeks, these will all be put on for winter protection from the elements and will remain in place until we recommission them for the new season.
Whilst all of this is going on, our normal day to day work continues. Our team of yacht valeters do not stop during the winter. In fact, they are busier than ever, deep cleaning yacht interiors, taking covers and cushions off for steam cleaning, re-waterproofing outside canvas or getting new covers, biminis and sprayhoods made.
From January, we start hauling yachts out for antifouling, Prop Speed application, seacock and drive gear services and their GRP and paintwork is polished. This is a great opportunity for us to check the yachts below their waterline and to ensure that all is as it should be, so that our clients can enjoy trouble free yachting next year.
Whilst the Berthon fleet are always checked in detail throughout the summer, the winter months give us a little more breathing space to go through every single system aboard, making sure everything is running smoothly and ensuring we’re totally up to date on all maintenance schedules.
If we can help you by looking after your yacht this winter, then please get in touch with andrew.fairbrass@berthonspain.com or addy.daly@berthonspain.com.
