J124 Owner Guide.pdf - J/Owners

J/124 OWNER MANUAL 48Maintenance TipsEven though modern construction has helped reduce upkeep, regular attention should be given to themaintenance of your boat. This includes the fiberglass exterior surfaces, the interior wood surfaces, and themechanical and electrical systems.A well-maintained boat will not only bring you years of enjoyment, but most importantly, will bring yougreater personal pride and joy.Fiberglass/GelcoatApply a marine wax at least twice annually to preserve the “factory fresh” appearance for many years. Besure fiberglass surfaces are clean and free of salt before waxing. Abrasive cleansers should never be usedfor general cleaning as they can severely mar the shiny gelcoat finish.Bottom PaintKeeping your bottom clean is of paramount importance as it not only keeps off bottom growth, but maintainspassage-making speed. Even though you have applied anti-fouling paint, take a swim once a month or so(or hire a diver) and scrub the bottom and propeller with a scrub brush or abrasive sponge pad.ZincsThe prop zinc should be inspected for electrolysis regularly. If it is severely pitted, replace it. Remember, it isa sacrificial anode to protect the propeller and saildrive from electrolysis. It can deteriorate quickly, soinspect it frequently.Deck Hardware/Running RiggingWash deck hardware frequently with fresh water to remove accumulated salt and grime. Wash down thejib sheets, spinnaker sheets, and other lines in fresh water. Check for chafe and turn non-tapered sheetsend-for-end once every year to more equally distribute wear.Check all deck blocks and also wash them with fresh water. Most ball-bearing blocks need only hot waterto cleanse them. On conventional sheave/pin blocks, wash off, disassemble, clean, rub a light waterprooflubricant on the center pin, and then reassemble.Furthermore, check and lubricate the sheaves and blocks on the mast. Also, ensure the turnbuckles areclean and well lubricated. Without proper care they can “freeze up”.In general, it is handy to keep a spray can of a light lubricant in your tool kit for frequent squirts of blocks,shackles, mainsheet travelers, and other moving fittings.WinchesRead the manufacturer’s manuals on winch repair and maintenance. Winches are fine pieces of machinerythat take little effort to maintain. However, all too frequently, they suffer neglect because no one can seehow much they wear down or get dirty.Clean And Lubricate Them! It takes little time to disassemble and put back together. Note that the gearsand bearings are lubricated with special winch grease and pawls. Pawl springs need only a light oil. Keepspare pawls and springs in a kit for replacement.