I'm trying to figure out why the PO is staying at HHN unless he enjoys burning money. There are marinas within 1/2-mile that cost literally 3 times less. I'm paying $100/mo for an 18' wide slip.
That said, their dry land storage and hauling rates are reasonable (I go there every 2 years and haul), and some of the contractors are reasonable. Some are not, since they have a customer base that is not very price sensitive.
But the brass tacks are that a 1984 boat is going to need a LOT of work, like buying an old car. She's used up, unless you are willing to put in a lot of sweat. That list was not long, there will be loads more if you want to keep here right. Fortunately, most boat work is stuff DIYs can learn.
But doing it to a high standard, safe and durable, is not so easy, and a lot of DIY work--dare I say most of it--is substandard and full of short cuts. A lot of the tips here offered here were well-intended, but the projects may be more involved and more awkward than they first seem. The professional has to cover himself for whatever he gets into. What would your hourly rate be, if you had to cover rain days (gotta pay folks even when there is no work), sick days, benefits, insurance, building lease and profit, all assuming it is also seasonal? Do you have all of the tools and minor materials? Will you get it right, the first time? Professional work can be haphazard too, but most of the HHN contractors are first rate.
If it isn't a labor of love, you're better off with a sailing dinghy or a kayak.
That said, their dry land storage and hauling rates are reasonable (I go there every 2 years and haul), and some of the contractors are reasonable. Some are not, since they have a customer base that is not very price sensitive.
But the brass tacks are that a 1984 boat is going to need a LOT of work, like buying an old car. She's used up, unless you are willing to put in a lot of sweat. That list was not long, there will be loads more if you want to keep here right. Fortunately, most boat work is stuff DIYs can learn.
But doing it to a high standard, safe and durable, is not so easy, and a lot of DIY work--dare I say most of it--is substandard and full of short cuts. A lot of the tips here offered here were well-intended, but the projects may be more involved and more awkward than they first seem. The professional has to cover himself for whatever he gets into. What would your hourly rate be, if you had to cover rain days (gotta pay folks even when there is no work), sick days, benefits, insurance, building lease and profit, all assuming it is also seasonal? Do you have all of the tools and minor materials? Will you get it right, the first time? Professional work can be haphazard too, but most of the HHN contractors are first rate.
If it isn't a labor of love, you're better off with a sailing dinghy or a kayak.
