In the effort to ensure I properly maintain every part of my boat to the best of my abilities, I keep a great deal of products aboard that are used on many different parts of my boat. Whilst I could keep these items at home and take them to the marina as needed, I believe the old adage 'out of sight, out of mind applies.' What this means is that I have a list of things I do on a recurring basis, aided by the fact that all my maintenance inventory is kept within visibility in storage compartments located under the dinette seating.

Thinking about this recently, I wondered as to how many of you boaties out there had actually stopped to think about the chemical cocktail you have on your own boat! This is important for all of us to acknowledge this, but especially so for us boat owners whose vessels are petrol driven. We are already sitting on a floating petrol bomb, so to speak. So keeping hazardous chemicals confined in a dry, safe place away from ignition sources is crucial.

Some items, particularly pressure packs represent an even greater risk to you and onboard occupants. An onboard fire could result in an explosion. Other chemicals could produce toxic fumes if ignited. Here is a list of items I keep aboard. It's comprehensive, but chances are many of you keep an inventory even greater than mine!

• 3 x pressure packs of White Knight Vinyl Guard for seats
• 2 x tubes Inox lubicant
• 1 x pressure pack of WB-40 lubricant
• 1 x bottle Heavy Duty Bilge Cleaner by West Marine
• 1 x tin All-Purpose Remover
• 1 x small bottle Loctite
• 1 x pressure pack Vuplex Anti-Static polish for clears
• 2 x bottles Quicksilver Power Trim & Steering Fluid
• 1 x bottle Mineral Turps
• 1 x bottle Windex for glass windshield

• 1 x bottle Methylated Spirits for metho stove
• 1 x bottle K & H Marine grade Fibreglass Wax & Polish
• 1 x bottle K & H Marine grade Fibreglass Glaze
• 1 x bottle Salt Slayer Salt Solution for fresh water cleaner
• 1 x pressure pack Gold Enamel used on anchor
• 2 x pressure packs Dymark Rust Remover for engine mounts
• 1 x pressure pack ZinGal galvanizing paint
• 1 x pressure pack Inox lubricant for engines
• 1 x bottle (3.78 litres) Quicksilver 4-cycle engine oil
• 1 x tin Wattyl Estapol clear varnish for timber in the galley
• 2 x bottle Quicksilver High Performance Gear Lube
• 1 x bottle Aqua-Kem 1 litre used in the waste holding tank
• 1 x bottle 'Bilge & Engine Cleaner'