We all know our boats demand a lot of tender loving care to keep them working and looking great. But how much of your total boat time is spent working on your boat as opposed to sailing it? Do you resent this as an intrusion of your time on the water? Or do you see boat maintenance and improvement projects as another aspect of sailing? Are there particular types of projects you enjoy or hate? Share your thoughts and be sure to vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Why is it so?
I don't think I have ever been out on a sailing trip - more than a day - when something doesn't go wrong. Last trip, the forward shower sump wouldn't stop pumping. Okay, not a great big problem, but a real pain in the butt just the same, seeing as I'd only just replaced the pump switch in the stern shower sump the week before. Why is it that I can go out in my car and never have anything go bung, and yet my boat - which cost a hundred times more than the car - is always having some problem. I know, I know - that's boats, but it shouldn't be that way. Is it because the manufacturers of boat bits think that BOAT means Bring Out Another Thousand? I think that a lot of the spare parts are too dinky for a boat which costs a lot of money initially. They should be manufactured to last - not to break down. Pass this on to those who should know! Gary
I don't think I have ever been out on a sailing trip - more than a day - when something doesn't go wrong. Last trip, the forward shower sump wouldn't stop pumping. Okay, not a great big problem, but a real pain in the butt just the same, seeing as I'd only just replaced the pump switch in the stern shower sump the week before. Why is it that I can go out in my car and never have anything go bung, and yet my boat - which cost a hundred times more than the car - is always having some problem. I know, I know - that's boats, but it shouldn't be that way. Is it because the manufacturers of boat bits think that BOAT means Bring Out Another Thousand? I think that a lot of the spare parts are too dinky for a boat which costs a lot of money initially. They should be manufactured to last - not to break down. Pass this on to those who should know! Gary
small is simple
Do I spend more time working on my boat than I do Sailing? Hmmmm... Well i would say it is about fifty / fifty. Being the owner of a 1982 catalina 22, R&R, I have the luxury of hauling my boat out come late October. This gives me the winter months till April to do any major refits or upgrades. I have a rule once it is on the water any and all projects on the boat are put off till next winter. This alows me to enjoy the boat completely, and sail without thinking what more I should have done to ready the boat. Besides this way I can save for any repairs I want to do in the winter. I keep a maintenance log on board, and when I find some thing that needs fixing I write it down. If it is some thing serious I take care of it. Otherwise, it is just a part of sailing life and can wait till winter. The only downside to my philosophy on sailing maintenance, is that it only works for small trailerable boats residing in freshwater.
Do I spend more time working on my boat than I do Sailing? Hmmmm... Well i would say it is about fifty / fifty. Being the owner of a 1982 catalina 22, R&R, I have the luxury of hauling my boat out come late October. This gives me the winter months till April to do any major refits or upgrades. I have a rule once it is on the water any and all projects on the boat are put off till next winter. This alows me to enjoy the boat completely, and sail without thinking what more I should have done to ready the boat. Besides this way I can save for any repairs I want to do in the winter. I keep a maintenance log on board, and when I find some thing that needs fixing I write it down. If it is some thing serious I take care of it. Otherwise, it is just a part of sailing life and can wait till winter. The only downside to my philosophy on sailing maintenance, is that it only works for small trailerable boats residing in freshwater.
Work vs. Play
Work, work, work and no sailing....BORING!!! I buy sailboats to go sailing. As fate would have it I like a bargain. With this type of boat one must expect to spend considerable time getting the old girl back to it's original luster. The up side is the feeling you get, as you sail along after many hours of work, of having saved truck loads of money and a good boat to boot. The no-payment-rule ever present in my mind. What's a little sweat equity. I always remember that most of us low budget boaters have payments...not I!
Work, work, work and no sailing....BORING!!! I buy sailboats to go sailing. As fate would have it I like a bargain. With this type of boat one must expect to spend considerable time getting the old girl back to it's original luster. The up side is the feeling you get, as you sail along after many hours of work, of having saved truck loads of money and a good boat to boot. The no-payment-rule ever present in my mind. What's a little sweat equity. I always remember that most of us low budget boaters have payments...not I!
Ecclesiastes 5: 18 & 19
According to King Solomon (wisest man in the Bible)... " find satisfaction in toilsome labor". Don't get me wrong, I don't like to work anymore than the next guy and I love to find a tool (especially a Bimford power tool) that makes a job easirer. I must say though, as much as I enjoy sailing, I get the most satisfaction after completing a project on my boat. Whether it be a varnish job, wood project, or even installing a new sanitation system! Don Bodemann
According to King Solomon (wisest man in the Bible)... " find satisfaction in toilsome labor". Don't get me wrong, I don't like to work anymore than the next guy and I love to find a tool (especially a Bimford power tool) that makes a job easirer. I must say though, as much as I enjoy sailing, I get the most satisfaction after completing a project on my boat. Whether it be a varnish job, wood project, or even installing a new sanitation system! Don Bodemann
part of the weekend
It ia part of the fun for me.While sailing is the main reason for having the boat the dock time is also wonderful, while working on boat I have the pleasure of talking to other owner. Very much a part of the whole boating world for me. Jim
It ia part of the fun for me.While sailing is the main reason for having the boat the dock time is also wonderful, while working on boat I have the pleasure of talking to other owner. Very much a part of the whole boating world for me. Jim
It's a third of the fun
It's true that it's a third of the fun, where else can you have a beer get your hand dirty and fix stuff. I really enjoy working on most of my boats systems, except the head. There is that do'it yourself'er thing in me that hits the spot for me. I also notice alot of other do'it yourself'er guy's & gal's at the Marina also.
It's true that it's a third of the fun, where else can you have a beer get your hand dirty and fix stuff. I really enjoy working on most of my boats systems, except the head. There is that do'it yourself'er thing in me that hits the spot for me. I also notice alot of other do'it yourself'er guy's & gal's at the Marina also.
Working and Sailing
Hello, I love working on my boat - well, I love most work, I don't care for working on the head and related plumbing, but I enjoy doing things that will make sailing easier. I spend a lot of time making the boat personalized for my wife and I so we can enjoy sailing more when we go out. Things like adding roller furling would be a good example. If only the heat would give us a break - it's just been too hot for me to spend much time on the boat.
Hello, I love working on my boat - well, I love most work, I don't care for working on the head and related plumbing, but I enjoy doing things that will make sailing easier. I spend a lot of time making the boat personalized for my wife and I so we can enjoy sailing more when we go out. Things like adding roller furling would be a good example. If only the heat would give us a break - it's just been too hot for me to spend much time on the boat.
Restoration
My boating partner and I have spent the last 5 months rebuilding a 1961 Tempest. She had been abandoned for ten years, sitting on a trailer in a backyard. When we began work, on this unmodified classic plastic boat all of the very basic systems on board were broken, or had been poorly repaired sometime in the 80's. We have rebuilt, refurbished, or created the basic systems of a contemporary daysailor/weekender. Our first cruise will be from the place where we did our work on the mid-Hudson River to a mooring in Jamestown, RI. The work has taken longer then we expected, by 3 months, and won't be completed this year, we have cosmetic work to do next Spring. All the same it has been a wonderful experience. It has been so rewarding that we are considering doing it again with a larger boat.
My boating partner and I have spent the last 5 months rebuilding a 1961 Tempest. She had been abandoned for ten years, sitting on a trailer in a backyard. When we began work, on this unmodified classic plastic boat all of the very basic systems on board were broken, or had been poorly repaired sometime in the 80's. We have rebuilt, refurbished, or created the basic systems of a contemporary daysailor/weekender. Our first cruise will be from the place where we did our work on the mid-Hudson River to a mooring in Jamestown, RI. The work has taken longer then we expected, by 3 months, and won't be completed this year, we have cosmetic work to do next Spring. All the same it has been a wonderful experience. It has been so rewarding that we are considering doing it again with a larger boat.
Keep it fixed and floating
I spend much more time sailing. As long as you keep up with the maintenance and don't let it get ahead of you it is not a problem. I generally scrub the deck down once every weekend and do a quick visual check on the rigging. Sometimes I will do a small maintenance item--i.e. change a halyard, new sheets etc. I do know people who spend most of the weekend working on their boats, cleaning, touching up the varnish on the teak etc. They seldom get out and sail. I would rather enjoy the boat most of the time and pull an occasional maintenance weekend to catch up on what is needed.
I spend much more time sailing. As long as you keep up with the maintenance and don't let it get ahead of you it is not a problem. I generally scrub the deck down once every weekend and do a quick visual check on the rigging. Sometimes I will do a small maintenance item--i.e. change a halyard, new sheets etc. I do know people who spend most of the weekend working on their boats, cleaning, touching up the varnish on the teak etc. They seldom get out and sail. I would rather enjoy the boat most of the time and pull an occasional maintenance weekend to catch up on what is needed.
Getting to Know Her
I spend a lot of time working on the boat. Updating her systems, fixing others or just cleaning and/or varnishing that wasn't done by previous owners. Right now we spend more time in maintenance than sailing. However, the more I do, the more of a stronger relationship I feel with the boat. At first I didn't understand the spritual side of boats being She. Now after a lot of work, I understand her sailing behavior better, have more confidence in sailing her and feel more like she is a part of our family. Now I feel I am beginning to know Her and appreciate Her more for keeping us safe. Good Winds Dave s/v DAMWEGAS
I spend a lot of time working on the boat. Updating her systems, fixing others or just cleaning and/or varnishing that wasn't done by previous owners. Right now we spend more time in maintenance than sailing. However, the more I do, the more of a stronger relationship I feel with the boat. At first I didn't understand the spritual side of boats being She. Now after a lot of work, I understand her sailing behavior better, have more confidence in sailing her and feel more like she is a part of our family. Now I feel I am beginning to know Her and appreciate Her more for keeping us safe. Good Winds Dave s/v DAMWEGAS
WHADDAYA DO WHEN YA DON'T HAVE CREW?
I have the good fortune to be able to spend time on STARGAZER pretty much every day. I have the bad fortune to have promised my wife that I won't go out by myself. That leaves a situation where I spend far more time "messing about" on her than sailing her. Not the best of things, but I'm not complaining. Like lots of others I just wish I had crew available to sail it as much as I could.
I have the good fortune to be able to spend time on STARGAZER pretty much every day. I have the bad fortune to have promised my wife that I won't go out by myself. That leaves a situation where I spend far more time "messing about" on her than sailing her. Not the best of things, but I'm not complaining. Like lots of others I just wish I had crew available to sail it as much as I could.
Work vs Pride
I have had my 1986 oday 40 for two years and it has taken a lot of hours and TLC to get it into shape that I can take pride in. The boat was structurually in pretty good shape, but it needed quite a bit of maintenance, including rebedding deckfitting, bottom work(still more to do) there with small blister problem even though previous owner had put Interprotect 2000 on it. We have also refinished the interior and removed the floorboard and refinihed, installed new larger holding tank foward, installed new larger winches, and installeda large alternaor and charging system supplied and designed by Jack Rabbit Marine (can't say enough good about them). Most of the work has been done over the winter months under a canvas cover and with electric heaters, so it gives me something to do on weekend and frees of time in the summer when we want to be on the water. Althoguh we are still adding things like a bow roller for a new Bruce anchor, most of the work over the summer is cleaning and shining. All the work seems worthwhile when people coming aboard remark on the fact it looks lie new. It gives my wife and I a feeling of pride and accoplishment for people to express what we feel. It is always a joint effort between the two fo us, and helps us both to take ownership. Now that we have the majority of the retrofit done we are going to start concentrating on the gel coat, where we have several craze cracks on the deck. It is not an area I have any expertise, but hopefully by the time the boats come out of the water, I will have a first hand knowledge of. All in all the work performed on our boat is always reward with a nice sail and complements from others.
I have had my 1986 oday 40 for two years and it has taken a lot of hours and TLC to get it into shape that I can take pride in. The boat was structurually in pretty good shape, but it needed quite a bit of maintenance, including rebedding deckfitting, bottom work(still more to do) there with small blister problem even though previous owner had put Interprotect 2000 on it. We have also refinished the interior and removed the floorboard and refinihed, installed new larger holding tank foward, installed new larger winches, and installeda large alternaor and charging system supplied and designed by Jack Rabbit Marine (can't say enough good about them). Most of the work has been done over the winter months under a canvas cover and with electric heaters, so it gives me something to do on weekend and frees of time in the summer when we want to be on the water. Althoguh we are still adding things like a bow roller for a new Bruce anchor, most of the work over the summer is cleaning and shining. All the work seems worthwhile when people coming aboard remark on the fact it looks lie new. It gives my wife and I a feeling of pride and accoplishment for people to express what we feel. It is always a joint effort between the two fo us, and helps us both to take ownership. Now that we have the majority of the retrofit done we are going to start concentrating on the gel coat, where we have several craze cracks on the deck. It is not an area I have any expertise, but hopefully by the time the boats come out of the water, I will have a first hand knowledge of. All in all the work performed on our boat is always reward with a nice sail and complements from others.
The Balance is Shifting...
I've had my boat for just over a year and have made a few repairs and many upgrades to get my boat where I want her. Like several others that commented, much of the joy in sailing my boat comes from the work I've done on her. Now that she's in fine shape, the sailing time is quickly catching up to the working time... With only a couple things to do this Winter, I'm confident that my sailing time will far outweigh my working time next year. Of course that depends on how many other great ideas (and some not-so-great) I come across... (No, really honey, we DO NEED a new sail, rigging blocks, tracks, wisker pole, etc., etc., etc...)
Sincerely, Lee M21 - Cool Change Carlyle Lake, IL
I've had my boat for just over a year and have made a few repairs and many upgrades to get my boat where I want her. Like several others that commented, much of the joy in sailing my boat comes from the work I've done on her. Now that she's in fine shape, the sailing time is quickly catching up to the working time... With only a couple things to do this Winter, I'm confident that my sailing time will far outweigh my working time next year. Of course that depends on how many other great ideas (and some not-so-great) I come across... (No, really honey, we DO NEED a new sail, rigging blocks, tracks, wisker pole, etc., etc., etc...)
Sincerely, Lee M21 - Cool Change Carlyle Lake, ILNot enough time to do everything
Between soccer and baseball for the kids, house stuff, work and life in general, I have very little time for sailing. From what I can tell, a lot of that is called maintenance is really cosmetic work. Repairing gelcoat cracks, polishing stainless, or installing a new GPS are all great projects, but are not necessary to sail the boat. Because of my tight schedule, I put off all of those types of projects until my spring fitting out (BTW, I really enjoy doing those types of projects, just not as much as I like to sail). Once the boat is in the water, I avoid any "maintenance" work that is not directly related to safety. I'll fix the radio, but I won't redo the teak. This summer, I had to replace the center stem on a winch because the portion of the stem that holds the drum down broke. The drum would fly off if you used the winch. Just to give you an idea of how far I will go to sail rather than maintain, I went out sailing with the winch in that condition three times (very carefully), and even once after removing the offending winch entirely. I discovered that a jib sheet winch on my boat (Oday 23) in light winds is really not that necessary. I'll get my winch back on soon enough, but I will try like crazy to do it on a day that I wouldn't otherwise have available for sailing.
Between soccer and baseball for the kids, house stuff, work and life in general, I have very little time for sailing. From what I can tell, a lot of that is called maintenance is really cosmetic work. Repairing gelcoat cracks, polishing stainless, or installing a new GPS are all great projects, but are not necessary to sail the boat. Because of my tight schedule, I put off all of those types of projects until my spring fitting out (BTW, I really enjoy doing those types of projects, just not as much as I like to sail). Once the boat is in the water, I avoid any "maintenance" work that is not directly related to safety. I'll fix the radio, but I won't redo the teak. This summer, I had to replace the center stem on a winch because the portion of the stem that holds the drum down broke. The drum would fly off if you used the winch. Just to give you an idea of how far I will go to sail rather than maintain, I went out sailing with the winch in that condition three times (very carefully), and even once after removing the offending winch entirely. I discovered that a jib sheet winch on my boat (Oday 23) in light winds is really not that necessary. I'll get my winch back on soon enough, but I will try like crazy to do it on a day that I wouldn't otherwise have available for sailing.
My approach is....
Take care of what NEEDS to be done and then go sailing! I spent the first 3 months of owning my 80's Seafarer 30 fixing up her operating systems and verifying her safety. After that the cosmetic repairs were done as they fit into my saiing schedule. After 3 years, she not only looks good, (of which I'm proud), but have spent alot of time sailing her. Best of both worlds!
Take care of what NEEDS to be done and then go sailing! I spent the first 3 months of owning my 80's Seafarer 30 fixing up her operating systems and verifying her safety. After that the cosmetic repairs were done as they fit into my saiing schedule. After 3 years, she not only looks good, (of which I'm proud), but have spent alot of time sailing her. Best of both worlds!
Not enough time
There just are not enough daylight hours to get everything done. Our routine goes something like this.....make breakast, go for a walk, make sandwiches at 11:00, go sailing until 5:00, cocktails and dinner on the barbie, good conversation and bed by 11:00. Granted, there might be an hour or two which is unscheduled, but just when I get out the wax or varnish some one wants help going up the mast. So the day is completley scheduled with no time for maintenance.
There just are not enough daylight hours to get everything done. Our routine goes something like this.....make breakast, go for a walk, make sandwiches at 11:00, go sailing until 5:00, cocktails and dinner on the barbie, good conversation and bed by 11:00. Granted, there might be an hour or two which is unscheduled, but just when I get out the wax or varnish some one wants help going up the mast. So the day is completley scheduled with no time for maintenance.
Time on the water/Time on the boat
50% to 60% of my total boat time is spent on maintenance. I enjoy all aspects of boating. There is nothing more satisfying than a project completed, whether it is a maintenance issue or an enhancement/upgrade. This time spent working on my boat increases my knowledge of the systems and reduces my fears when a breakdown does occur. A little knowledge and handywork can change a very exasberating day into another pleasant day on the water.
50% to 60% of my total boat time is spent on maintenance. I enjoy all aspects of boating. There is nothing more satisfying than a project completed, whether it is a maintenance issue or an enhancement/upgrade. This time spent working on my boat increases my knowledge of the systems and reduces my fears when a breakdown does occur. A little knowledge and handywork can change a very exasberating day into another pleasant day on the water.
Labor of Love
After owning our O'Day 222 for a little over two years, we've come to look at the sailing and maintenance as one and the same. If, as we do, wish to foot with other boats in club racing, you tend to ask many questions of experienced owners regarding improvements to increase ones competative edge. Ordering new sails seems simple, until you must carefully learn the proper methods for measuring for a Genoa. Maintaining the teak rails and companionway becomes something to do when there's no wind, and you can share conversations and drinks with fellow slip-mates. We recently replaces the forward hatch due to the broken dogs on the old one, along with new portlights, that were beginning to crack and craze. The boat just got back in the water this Friday past, with a new bottom job, and we had the centerboard pin replaced as it had worn out and wallowed a larger hole in the fibergalss. Quite a noticable effect, when you here it clunk upon each tack, and the vessel won't point. Next up is the largest of undertakings. We are going to split the backstay and install a small Cunningham rig for a tensioner. This will also remove the mainsheet from the backstay, and we are planning on installing a Harken, small boat traveller on a high profile track just aft of the centerboard penant. With the aid of a fellow racer that owns a machine shop, we will reinforce the boom at the new mainsheet attachment point, and with a little fiberglass experience, make mounts over the convex cockpit seats. We still manage to sail more than 70% of time over the amount we put towards the labor. Truly a labor of love.
After owning our O'Day 222 for a little over two years, we've come to look at the sailing and maintenance as one and the same. If, as we do, wish to foot with other boats in club racing, you tend to ask many questions of experienced owners regarding improvements to increase ones competative edge. Ordering new sails seems simple, until you must carefully learn the proper methods for measuring for a Genoa. Maintaining the teak rails and companionway becomes something to do when there's no wind, and you can share conversations and drinks with fellow slip-mates. We recently replaces the forward hatch due to the broken dogs on the old one, along with new portlights, that were beginning to crack and craze. The boat just got back in the water this Friday past, with a new bottom job, and we had the centerboard pin replaced as it had worn out and wallowed a larger hole in the fibergalss. Quite a noticable effect, when you here it clunk upon each tack, and the vessel won't point. Next up is the largest of undertakings. We are going to split the backstay and install a small Cunningham rig for a tensioner. This will also remove the mainsheet from the backstay, and we are planning on installing a Harken, small boat traveller on a high profile track just aft of the centerboard penant. With the aid of a fellow racer that owns a machine shop, we will reinforce the boom at the new mainsheet attachment point, and with a little fiberglass experience, make mounts over the convex cockpit seats. We still manage to sail more than 70% of time over the amount we put towards the labor. Truly a labor of love.
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