Keeping a racing boat together, on the water and competitive takes a great deal of ongoing maintenance. Every racer has their own set of guidelines to work towards, very much dependent on the type of racing they are doing, but the extent of maintenance and upkeep required far exceeds that of everyday recreational boating.
After every race, as a minimum, all engine and jacking plate bolts are checked for torque. The propellers are removed, cleaned, checked for damage and boxed to prevent damage between events. Seat mounts and steering bolts are checked and if steering cables are present, they – along with pulleys – are inspected. It is well documented that the risk of severe injury increases in lockstep with speed so every component critical to the boat’s handling and performance should be inspected before every race.
After events in salt water, lifejackets and helmets should be thoroughly cleaned, along with removing the engine cowl and thoroughly cleaning the engine to remove any baked-on salt residue which may have worked its way inside the cowling.
Beyond the basics, many racers also inspect water pumps, spark plugs, coils and impellers, with some replacing/servicing them after every event, especially when troubleshooting issues.
A failed water pump is quite often the direct contributor to engine overheating and when you are operating your engine constantly within the last 10% of its revolution range, the system is given no time to cool off, so preventative maintenance is the key to sustaining performance endurance.
Between seasons many competitors pull heads and inspect cylinders or rebuild intakes. Inspecting reed cages for signs of wear and fatigue is a sure-fire way to eliminate potential issues that may arise pre-combustion. Fuel and oil filters (if fitted) are usually replaced once a season, including in-boat water separators. For the more fastidious types, old fuel is drained between seasons and fuel tanks cleaned of debris. Wire rope cabling used in outrigger steering should be replaced at least every two years, depending on use, and at the same time a thorough inspection of all pulleys, the helm, and shackle connections should be carried out. That includes all the pulley/shackle mounts.
For those running hydraulic steering, a top up/inspection of fluid level is normally sufficient, accompanied by an inspection of mounting bolts, both at the helm and at the ram/cylinder. Gearcase servicing is commonly undertaken annually or once per season, which in race terms could be as frequently as once every 7-10 engine-hours – far more frequently than recreational users.
Longer term, off seasons can involve engine or gearcase rebuilding, hull strengthening or modifications, all in the name of seeking not only performance gains, but also ensuring reliability for the duration of the race calendar season.
