The worst thing you can do to your boat is to let it sit idle! The cheapest thing you will ever do to maintain your boat is to USE IT! If you don't have the time to use it (a lot of us don't) then get on a program of doing regular engine starts and system checks. Even if you have to pay someone to perform this service it will be cheaper in the long run then paying to fix what inactivity will damage! Yacht repair is extremely expensive. Paying a captain or service technician to regularly start the engines and energize the systems is cheap in comparison.
It is extremely important to regularly run your boats engines and energize all systems aboard. I've been called to perform repairs on so many boats where the need for repairs could have been prevented simply by someone running the boat once a week and firing up all systems aboard. Corrosion is a major killer in the marine environment. Electrical connections turn green, metal rusts, even the inside of your engines corrode from the effects of condensation producing moisture on the interior surfaces that are above the oil level in the pan. Running the systems and engines helps keep some of this at bay.
When an engine is allowed to sit the oil coating the interior surfaces drains down and dries up over time leaving those surfaces unprotected. Condensation produces small quantities of moisture and corrosion to internal surfaces begins. Oil seals and gaskets dry out and crack. The small amounts of oil that do get trapped on upper surfaces of the engine slowly get thicker and turn into sludge and eventually into hard deposits. Running the engine periodically (once a week is best) will re-coat all those interior surfaces with fresh oil helping to keep corrosion down and to keep oil seals and gasket edges from drying out. The engines should be run until they achieve their full operating temperature. This will help any moisture present within the block and valve train to completely dry out and will put the engine through a full expansion/contraction temperature cycle. The piston rings in an engine don't seat fully until the engine is at operating temp so if the engine is not brought up to temp regularly deposits will be left on the cylinder walls that will later affect cylinder compression. That expansion/contraction temperature cycle also helps gaskets to stay seated and while running at full temp is the time to check for any leaks of oil or water. On diesel engines the regular running will also agitate the fuel in the tanks (through the fuel return lines) helping to slow and break up any algae growth, and also will help to keep any growth or sludge from forming in the fuel lines and filters. On gas engines burning fresh fuel will help to keep the fuel in the filters and float bowls (if carburetor) from turning to varnish and clogging the system up.
The transmissions will encounter the same corrosion problems as the engines if not run. Especially the shift shaft. This shaft enters at the top of the transmission and its bearing surfaces are lubricated by splash oiling when the transmission is in gear. Allowing a transmission to sit for extended periods can result in difficulty shifting. When performing an engine start the transmission should be put in gear and allowed to run. I shouldn't have to say this but - if you are at the dock make sure your spring lines are tight before putting the transmission in gear!
An older engine with extremely low hours is not necessarily a good thing. Wear and tear is always a consideration when looking at engine hours but if that engine was not run for at least 15 minutes every other week minimum you might have more problems than are immediately apparent.
Every system in the boat will benefit from being turned on at least once a week. When an electrical or electronic device is turned on the electricity flowing through creates heat. In the case of a light bulb or TV it pretty obvious but every wire and connection in the boat generates a little heat as electricity flows through it. The regular application of current (turning the device on) and the heat that produces is very important in keeping corrosion at bay. I've seen boats a year old that were let sit where every connection is solid green, and half the systems on board don't work and seen the same boat that gets used regularly where everything is fine with no need of repairs. The only difference being that the second boat was run at the dock every week. Every light on the boat should be turned on, water systems should be energized, winches and hydraulics should be run keeping everything lubricated and deposits within hydraulic and water lines to the minimum.
I know a lot of people don't have time to get to their boats that often or keep telling themselves that they'll get it done but then 6 weeks go by before their able to get down to the boat. There are many companies out there that will perform Engine Start/System Check services (though they may call it something different) who will put your boat on a schedule and see that the service is performed regularly. We charge $50.00 per visit for this service. If done every 2 weeks that service would cost $1300.00/yr. That amount may seem like a lot at first glance but you get a lot for your money. Most importantly, that amount is probably LESS than you could expect to pay for repairs needed as a result of letting the boat sit idle for extended periods. As a fringe benefit you will get a mechanic who is already familiar with your boat and your needs and as such won't have to spend (bill) as much time keeping your boat in repair. A main benefit to this constant maintenance is that mechanic being able to identify potential problems as they happen or even before they happen and being able to keep you appraised of what preventative maintenance or repairs are needed before problems arise. It's nice to be able to just show up at the boat and be able to take it out without having to worry about or work on it! I operate out of Honolulu, Hawaii but if you are curious about rates or services available have a look at my web site at www.blueseallc.com.
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