Boat and shed maintenance Scroll down this page to see: - boat handling and pontoon courtesy
- including how to wash boats and oars
- next maintenance days If you have any questions, email admin@lrc.com.au Clubhouse maintenance days: Winter clean up: Sunday 25 July Spring clean up: Sunday 24 October Boat handling and pontoon courtesy On the pontoon
Each
crew must minimise the time spent on the pontoon and staging. They must
only remove boats from racks when the crew is ready to go and not wait
for crew members to turn up or run errands while the boat is on trestles
Boats may only be handled when there are sufficient people available to do so
All crew should be present when handling a boat
Crews
must be careful not to allow the hull or parts of one boat to connect
with the riggers or parts of another boat at any time
One person only is in charge of lifting and handling each boat, usually the stroke
All crew must follow the instructions of the stroke when handling a boat
When
lowering and lifting boats all crew must have hands on, assume strong,
effective lifting positions (such as heads up, legs folded and backs
straight), before attempting to lift
Novice crews must be supervised by a coach or experienced pontoon marshal when handling boats
Getting on and off the water
Before
placing a boat on the water, the crew is to correctly adjust and check
for wear and tear the slides, seats, riggers and hull. Damaged, missing
or loose fittings should be replaced if possible and reported in the
Boat Master’s Log after the row
Bow side oars should be placed along the pontoon with the handles to Haberfield and heads to the bridge, spoon up
Stroke
side oars should be placed in the gates at the narrowest part of the
shaft with the handles on the pontoon and spoons facing upwards, then
stroke side should get into the boat while the bow side holds the boat
level and before the gates are done up
Bow
side will hold the boat in a level position with their hands (not feet,
knees or other parts) on the pin of the bow side rigger as the stroke
side go aboard the boat
As
soon as stroke side (or the even numbered seats – 8, 6, 4, 2) are
seated they must do up their gates and place the fully extended oars on
the water
Bow side may then get in and push off at the same time
Do
not allow the oars to scrape along the pontoon when in a boat and on
the water entering or leaving the pontoon. Balance the boat so that the
oars and riggers do not contact the pontoon surface as the boat pulls
up or leaves the pontoon
Damage
The Property Master may quarantine any boat from being rowed for repairs and service
Damaged boats may not be rowed
Crews are responsible for damage to boats caused through careless or poor handling
Washing boats
Place boats on trestles, cockpit upright.
Wash the deck, slides, riggers and all cockpit areas with soapy water and a good sponge (scourers, abrasives, chemicals other than detergent should not be used).
Check the boat for loose fittings, missing nuts, washers, or damaged parts and make good.
Roll the boat over so that the hull is exposed.
Hose down the hull and the inside of the boat, riggers – especially around the gates, and canvasses. Be sure to remove all detergent.
Press a chamois to the hull and scrap off any water and excess salt.
Washing oars
When laying up oars on the pontoon and staging, do not scrape or drag the heads along the deck but place them gently on the deck with the spoon upwards.
Wash both sides of the head with soapy water, and chamois.
Do not wash the handles with soapy water, use only water and a chamois if necessary.
Check that the oar is not split at the ends, paint covers all parts, the club colours are easily seen and distinctive in appearance, there are no missing or loose screws in the oar handle, the collars and sleeves are firmly in place and at equidistance from the tip of the head (oars need to be repainted as part of the regular boat maintenance routines).
A good rule to follow is - Be prepared to fix the boats and oars at any time
