All work and no play?

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

What makes you think that powerboats

don't require care and attention, Dana? Or that powerboat owners don't take pride in keeping them in bristol condition? The only difference between a powerboat and sailboat is the principal means of propulsion...take the mast off a sailboat and you're left with the same amount of boat to maintain. Regardless of which type of boat you own, you're either the type of person who should own a boat at all...or you're not. And there are just as many of both types who own sail as there are who own power.

 

[Dakota Jim Russell]

But Peggy . . . he'd be in a difference forum <g>

.

 

[Steve Dion]

Mike of SF.

Michael:You know that there are plenty of services in the bay area that will wash/wax your boat on a schedule or on demand. Many charge by the foot $1.00-1.50/ft. (washing).A friend of mine has a power boat and actually has a cleaning service clean it (house keeper types).Many of the power boat docks in our area are covered sheds. This helps keep the boats much cleaner. Especially help the bird crap and leaf problems.

 

[David Mosley]

Isnt it just as fun to work on the boat?

I find just as much pleasure upgrading and working on my boats as I do sailing them. Now dont get me wrong, I dont like sanding and waxing, but I do like installing new gadgets and the like.Hey, drink a couple of cool ones and messing around with the boat is pretty enjoyable.David Mosley,Hunter 23G-Cat 5.0

 

[Carol]

It's all fun!!

My 84 Hunter (which I have had for 5 yrs) Yes she needed some TLC...and she got it!.....repairing blisters, bottom paint, teak inside and out redone, some plumming replaced, wireing, replaced cushions, stereo, buffin'waxing the hull, new lines (red & yellow lines)....Oh, BTW I don't mean the sheet lines....the (hull stripes) Adding her name to the bow and stern was great fun. "Caribbean Soul" I am so pround when a fellow boater remarks how good she looks!!! That is great satisfaction to me....For the most part my maintenance and up keep is done as need be now.....It's great at the dock chatting with other sailor's, we all love to talk about our boats and having a adult beverage!....But honestly, I get her washed down and then out on the water as soon as I can.....maybe a raft up for the night..I would say all the time and effort put in "working on the boat" is well worth it and I wouldn't trade it for anything.....It is truley a "labor of love"Smooth sailing!

 

[DEE TURNER]

WHY WE OWN OUR HUNTER

We own a Hunter 37.5 because our Hunter allows us MORE time to play, and sail than other sailboats of tradional lines. No teak decks, no teak rails to varnish, allows us much more play time than other sailors. After spending a year in the Sea of Cortez sailing, we were the boat that went out sailing and traveling while our friends stayed in LaPaz, Loreto, etc "working" on their varnish projects and their boats systems.

 

[Jim]

100% So Far

Lulu, our O'Day 25, was trashed when we bought her for $2K. So far we've actually "sailed" her once. That was largely an exercise in proving to ourselves that she needed new sails along with everything else.This summer has been hot in Florida and I work extra slow in the heat, but she's starting to come together. Bottom scraped and painted. Portlights out and rebedded. Much of the deck hardware off, cleaned, and rebedded. New standing rigging, running rigging, sails, lifelines... The electrical system, such as it is, is still under construction. A good bit of this has been farmed out to professionals (man's got to know his limitations), but nonetheless I've managed to get into pretty much every nook and cranny and learn a heck of a lot about that little boat in the process of all of this. The projects look to streach out for at least another year, but she'll be ready to sail when the wind starts to pick up in the fall.This has really been educational. I think everyone that likes boats should try to resuscitate an old boat at least once. If nothing else it gives you a new perspective on the actual importance of doing careful and thoughtful work when mounting anything to your deck...Safe paths.

 

[Larry W.]

Work v. play

As with all complicated toys, my boat requires a lot of work. I like the projects, they're fun and creative, but after I've worked on and fixed the refrigeration for the fifth time, the fun is pretty much worn off that. Ditto for fixing the MSD, the freshwater pump, messing with a plotter that tells me the wrong course, etc., etc., etc. It's keeps me out of the bars and race tracks, though.

 

[Eric]

To Rick from SF

Rick, I'm in escrow on a 1989 Catalina 34. I loved the way you described how much you enjoy your boat. It made me feel GREAT about my decision to become a sailor too.Thanks,Eric.

 

[Pete Staehling]

Much More Play

I sailed year round last year. Not as much as I would like, but I got out a good bit. I would estimate that I have spent at least 1500 hours in the last year aboard Dalliance. Maybe half of that time was in anchorages, or swimming, or sleeping, or whatever. Almost non of it was in the marina. I would guess that I have spent 100 hours or less working on her. I wouldn't say she is neglected either, as she is in slightly better shape than when I bought her.The count of the hours are a guess because I don't log hours, only trips and mileage without times. I figure that it is a reasonable estimate though.I would pity those who spend all their time working on their boat, but I guess that is what they want to do.I know a nice couple that spends countless hours polishing a brand new this year power boat. It always has flowers on the table and it absolutely gleams. It goes out only once in a while and the trips are short. They seem to love spending their time in the marina polishing things. If it makes them as happy as it obviously does that is great, but I would be miserable.Pete