The inventory, a must before departure
Christian Gotsiriduzé is a technician at Locasail, a rental company in the Mediterranean. And he knows about breakdowns, since he manages the fleet of motorboats and sailboats made available to boaters during the season.
"Renters typically rent a boat for a week during the season. They can quickly become overwhelmed since they don't have the same experience as a regular boater or owner. But that's part of the game! It is very important to make a thorough and concise initial inventory with them so that they have all the keys in hand to have a good time. Some people are not attentive, because they have too much information or are impatient to go to sea, but the inventory is essential, both for technical and financial reasons (deposit). Unfortunately it happens regularly to have breakdowns on rented boats" how Christian.
By inventory, we also mean the operation of the boat: how to start the engine, explain the different sails, the operation of the toilets or indicate the places where there are potential dangers.
"It's important to educate people when they take a lease. Prevention is essential and avoids worries for us technicians, for the current tenant and the next one. Between the arrival and departure of a tenant, there is very little time. It's complicated to repair a boat quickly" says Christian.
Being attentive, listening, not going off in all directions and not being in a hurry (after all, it's the vacations!) will allow you to enjoy your vacation without any hindrance.
The most common breakdowns
Nevertheless, it is possible to be confronted with breakdowns during a cruise. Here are the most common breakdowns encountered by boat rental companies. These are generally different breakdowns in motorboats and sailboats.
Breakdowns on a sailboat
The shocks
They are often due to the inattention of the tenant, who will not have seen the pebbles or will not have well studied the marine cartography or the schedules of tide according to its draft.
"That's the biggest breakdown we can run into. We have one to two of those a season. And it can do a lot of damage. A boat that has hit its heels can't sail serenely. There is a potential danger. It immobilizes the boat for the rest of the season. There are issues of bonding, insurance, survey, repair procedures, etc." says Christian.
The fittings/equipment
We are talking about broken pulleys, pressurized water group whose pump can burn out, bilge pump, shower pump..
"These are small concerns where we have no choice but to replace the defective component. These are small, quick repairs, but fairly recurring." explains Christian.
Electronics
GPS, depth sounder, anemometer, autopilot, radar, all of which break down for various reasons. And this is also the case for motorboats.
"This also happens regularly. You have to detect the fault, change or repair."
The sails
Sail problems are often related to their use (tear, wear...). It is then necessary to take them to a sailmaker.
Breakdowns in motorboats
The fuel
The biggest failure is however quite simple since it is a fuel problem. It could largely be avoided.
"People think they're filling up, but break down in the middle of the sea. It is no longer the concern of the rental company, but of the CROSS or the SNSM. It is once again a human problem, of inattention" explains Christian.
The engine
Engine problems related to the mechanics can happen from time to time, but it remains quite rare. These are reliable and well maintained.
The propeller
"The tip in the propeller is very regular. You just have to dive to get it out or call in a diver and you're back in business!" concludes Christian.
