OK everyone, for many it is time to start thinking about the boat and the road to the new season prep.
Apart from the general maintenance and boat preparation we are finding that many are thinking about the bits that you know need sorting out properly in the form of those headache jobs - new electronics, toilet changes, new clutches, rope and rigging updates - the list goes on. Certainly most of the chat and orders we are receiving (with a large slice of technical support) has been around all of these areas. Yes we are ordering in the antifoul and all of the cleaning kit - but we do think this is a great time to consider those bigger items - it is still a good time to buy and availability is pretty good.
For most of you your boat is out of the water so the focus has to be on the hull quite naturally, anodes, skins, props, and bow thrusters (we have some superb offers on those at present) and many of the other items can be done in the water - however this is a good time to do the research and get orders underway for the other items.
One really important thing to do is to run through all of your safety kit. How many times do we only review the equipment just before we leave the mooring - checked the Co2 bottle? Do you know how? Look for any signs of corrosion (replace the bottle) and check the date on the auto re-arm. Ideally you should (on older jackets) set them off in the comfort of your own home and leave them overnight to make sure they are holding the inflation - yes you will have to buy new bottles but hey - what price safety and confidence?
The liferaft, flares, safety lines etc - all good?
Clothing. Think back to last season - did you have the right gear or hanker after something else maybe less bulky, warmer, cooler? Personally I just like to be really comfortable and tend to wear a set of salopettes and a fleece lined blouson (check out the ones on the site - £49.50 a bit thinner but tremendous) on the colder days putting on a full wet jacket when required. On other days the addition of a Gillet (especially the buoyancy ones we have) is just enough to add that bit of warmth. The point is that this is a great time to buy and should you require personalisation of your kit swell then we can arrange.
Another important area if have kept the Boat in the Water during these late season months are your Mooring Ropes as the Weather can start changing dramatically, and they will be tested to the extreme. A lot of people have inadequate Mooring Lines this can result in damage to your, or someone else’s boat. We have some very clever solutions in this area and with a little bit of investment and education it is far cheaper than a lift out and repair.
Fenders need maintaining also. We see so many boats with a vast range of shapes and sizes – often far too many, dirty and quite frankly not doing the job. This is a good time to sort this all out.
Seacocks will need checking and in some cases re-greasing. A lot you can take to pieces. If it’s a brand like Blakes they have there own grease, also check for signs of corrosion and ease of use especially with Lever Type.
Make sure the engine has the correct Coolant, sometimes it may need to be changed if the Boat is being laid up. Check in the Users Instructions once again and if unsure contact the Engine Manufactures Service Agent.
If you have a Diesel or Petrol Tank and haven't done already it will would be worth adding some Laying up additive to help prevent all the issues you can get with Fuels if they aren’t being used for sometime, we offer a good selection of these.
Check all hoses to make sure there are no cracks or leaks especially on the Engine as these are normally made from Rubber, which over a time perishes. Also if you have Gas on Board check the hoses by the Bottle and Cooker as once again they are made from Rubber, they are also dated so make sure they are in date, failure to comply may invalidate your Insurance. Once again if you are unsure speak to your Boatyard or a Gas Safe Engineer.
Check, if you have a Yacht, the Rigging for signs of wear and damage, a lot of Insurance companies insist that you replace the Standing Rigging after a number of Seasons. Plastic covered Guardrail Wire can sometime be made with Galvanized Wire if you see any signs of rust get it looked at as it may be damaged, I would always recommend using Stainless Steel. If you have Webbing Jackstays remove them and inspect for signs of wear and give them a clean as they can get very slippery. Contact us if you would like a quote on anything in this section we have fully insured Riggers working for us.
We have our own Mobile Technicians available for all types of Work (Location Limitations) so we can be your One Stop Store for all your Marine Requirements.
If you have any other queries no matter how daft, or a view on which product is better than another just give us a call and we will either give you the answer or find it out for you.
Don’t work too hard but then understand the benefits you will get by doing the work now and not running around on that sunny day around Easter wishing you had. Remember if you need any advice, just give us a call.
See you on the Water – The Wetworks
The film is from when we were setting the stand up so you can get an idea of what we are selling at the show - we are now on day 4.
Without question there is definitely a strong buzz at the show this year and as they have re-organised the positioning of the huge motor boats it all flows a lot better.
Good to see so many old and new faces here including suppliers who have not exhibited for a couple of years - economy must be back on the up!
We have had a great show so far with lots of buyers for our smaller retail items such as the Old Salt Loft bags and the buoyancy gillets and float coats and we have had a fantastic reaction to our hand wind propellor the 'Freewheeling'.
We have been giving daily demonstrations of this on the show pool at around 1.15 every day where we have put people in the boat for the very first time to see how they get on - it has been great fun and people have been truly impressed.
The biggest interest without doubt however has been on the Rainman Watermaker and the Keelcrab. So much positive interest, with people giving us all sorts of new ideas and reasons for purchase. On the trainmen we have had several customers who now see no reason for full installation - they get back valuable space and achieve absolute flexibility - on the KeelCrab most have been two to four boat owners who have collaborated to buy - absolute sense.
Come along to see us, I can guarantee that it is now a show worth seeing for a great day out.
So only a few days to go and The Wetworks will be exhibiting at the London Boat Show - stand DO41.
As you can see from the headline banner pictures on the site we will have a number of products not seen in the UK before from the magnificent Rainman water maker to the innovative and fun Freewheeling propellor.
If you haven't seen the Freewheeling video, we have added it to this blog. Yes, filmed from an iPhone - so quality not the best, but it gets the message over we hope. It is quite surprising how quickly it moves the boat. It was a very windy day and with Mick's large frame and a raised bow into the breeze it was probably more difficult than normal. But once straight it was great. Imagine this on flat water, for kids messing about safely, fishermen, kayakers etc. We love it.
What the film also represents is the beginning of a series of films we will be producing under 'The Wetworks Way' banner. These will be educational, we will product test, demonstrate new ideas and invite questions that we can look into and then produce a film as to the answer. We have our own boats also which includes a Jenneau 379, a Hunter 707, Flying Fifteen and several other crafts from ribs and kayaks to SUPs and windsurfers. These will be available for testing kit, try a sail and learning throughout the year. If you want to learn more send us an email and we will get back to you.
We're pretty excited about the show as it will be the first time we are there. Lots of our friends will be coming along, hopefully you will too and we can kick off a long term client relationship.
See you there, or on the water,
The Wetworks
Welcome to WETWORKS and our new Website. The Wetworks is a full marine solutions company focussed on providing both technical and educational assistance to our clients. Our job is to help you through the myriad of products and services to ensure that you have the best time on the water. Were here to help and as part of our offer we constantly go out into the world to find new products and ideas to make your experience right up to date and even more enjoyable. We have just got back from Europe’s biggest trade show in Holland (METS TRADE) where we have seen some really great kit. See our latest post below to find out more.
20/11/15
Having just collapsed in our armchairs from a gruelling two day marathon from visiting the largest European Trade Show in Amsterdam and with sore feet and legs that feel like they have just completed four marathons, and tongues that now need a rest, its time to reflect on the new exciting products that we came across that will make there way onto our website as soon as humanely possible.
The great news is an English product won the prestigious METS DAME award for best product called LUME ON by Spinlock, this simple but effective product turns the humble lifejacket bladder into a fully glowing, flashing item, making it so much easier to be seen in the water night or day. A must for every lifejacket. This is already on our site in the Safety and Wizzy Bits section.
Also this grabbed our attention, the KEEL CRAB an incredible product that cleans the underneath of the boat via a portable visual display that gives you full control of the cleaning procedure and will save hundreds of ££££££££’s in lift out and scrubs. Available to purchase or via our BOAT BUTLER service which offers a full VALET SERVICE at any level to help maintain your boat contact us for details.
The S.O.S RECOVERY LADDER caught our eye, another METS nominated product that aids recovery of a person back onto a boat, for those who don’t have bathing platforms this is certainly a must. In fact there is now a legal requirement for you to have a ladder that extends into the water – we will be covering this point and some other new legislation (such as engine fire requirements) in a future blog.
Marlecs new RUTLAND 1200 Windcharger looked impressive and with its new silent wind blades and higher output, for those of you on swinging moorings or that extended trip this is well worth a look at. Duomarins HANDSUPP mooring line holder look great and will appear in our up and coming video called “BERTH CONTROL”.
RAINMAN Water Makers grabbed our attention in more ways they one. Sleek design and ease of use these guys have turned this market place upside down, at last a product that is user friendly and does what it says on the box. No more complicated jargon just a great product.
All the products mentioned will make it onto our products listing once we have established the full detailing and availability. Just keep an eye out for them
Looking forward to bringing you more blog posts in the near future. Let us know if there is any particular area you would like us to research.
The Wetworks Team
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