Am I a Dying Breed?

Ross · Jun 4, 2009

No you are not an endangered species but you could be considered threatened. You and I would have no conflict about boats or maintenance. When the engine oil looks dirty I change it, if my jib gets dirty when I ship the anchor then the next time it rains it will get clean. I checked one time with a candle in a mason jar at a half mile and I could see it, so I figure that a half inch wick will serve. I have watched my neighbors dock their boats and spend the next hour rubbing them. An hour after my boat is secure in her slip I am either taking a nap or enjoying a glass of wine.

sailaway78 · Jun 4, 2009

Me Too

I'm with you guys.

Benny · Jun 4, 2009

No you are not, I know a few that fit the mold. Evrything is a matter of perspective;

1) If you can't usually find maintenance records, it makes no sense to keep them.

2) If you know your Colregs is more than the majority of sailors do.

3) I agree it is ridiculous to insure a tramp. As far as towing insurance, people that have all the time in the world don't need it.

4) Storing batteries on cement is no different than on wood or a rubber mat. (Old wives tale) If you deep cycle a starting battery there is no need for an isolator. If the batteries came cheap, why not.

5) Lots is a relative term. If everything in a boat works, wait till tomorrow.

6) Just light the Kerosene lamp and let them nice boats argue with each other wether it is adequate or not.

7) If there are no intentions to fix blisters or delamination why bother freaking out?

8) EPIRB? Not required yet by insurance companies or their legislators.

9) No repairs nor improvements permit not having receipts to keep. Beer receips are worthless.

10) Yeah, let the guy who buys the dingui figure out how to register them.

11) Dirty and smelly are also relative terms; if the roaches have moved, now that is a world class dump. Proper documentation won't get your friends past the smell either.

12) You are happy and that makes all the difference in the world.

txtowman · Jun 4, 2009

I resemble that remark! Sid

Joe · Jun 4, 2009

Druid...... don't place yourself on the endangered list just yet.... there's plenty of your ilk about, they're just not admitting it to keep from being chastised by the Dudley Sailrights of the world. You, on the other hand, are a breath of not so fresh air and I admire you for your courage to stand up and be undocumented.

Dave D · Jun 5, 2009

Are you sure you're really not me? If you are, which seems entirely possible at this point, it's about time you start pitching in on some of these bills!

tommays · Jun 5, 2009

heck NO

!981 J24 good as NEW BUT i do like keeping It clean and have a modern navagition system a 15 year old handheld

bffatcat · Jun 5, 2009

a dying breed?

Not us old guys We do things the way they were done in the past. (mostly) Somebody`s
got to keep the economy moving. There are a lot of gadgets out there for sale, like electric flush heads and and main sails that can be raised by pushing a button. but I dont own em. I decided a long time ago I would rather spend my time sailing than fixing. Please dont get me wrong all the equpment on my boat is in good repair. If something isnt right I fix it. But Im keeping things to a minimum , less gadgets less work. Thats why I have an oak bucket instead of a marine head and liquid fuel lamps as opposed to electrical ones I dont like changing head gasket kits or repairing corroded wires.

RichH · Jun 5, 2009

If you have a complicated insurance claim and have to prove the worth of your boat by presentation of receipts (equipment, maintenance, etc.) then having the records/documents, etc. will alleviate a LOT of grief.
One severe lightening strike will certainly change your mind about keeping adequate records, especially now that the insurance industry is so 'stressed' and usually will by any means possible to 'wiggle out', or reduce, any possible payment for claim.

Stu Jackson · Jun 5, 2009

Somehow, projecting a position that sloppiness is superior makes little sense.

We keep records because we intend to keep our boat for a long time, and reinventing the wheel for replacement parts is just plain silly. Ten years ago I bought something, and I can look it up when we need it again. I keep an inventory spreadsheet plus the receipts. Sometimes purchases are special order and it's nice to know. I buy thermostats once every five or more years and, by golly, I've got other more important things to remember than the Kubota dealer's phone number and the model # for the 160 or 180 degree stats.

I think the real question is more about navigation. There are the new Garmin units where you set the depth and the mast clearance. After you select "Navigate to" you then select "guide to" and the magenta colored line keeps you in water to the depth that you selected, and steers the boat around fingers of land.

I find that repulsive! I want to involve myself with charts, chart lists, LNMs, bridge heights and routes and NOT leave that important stuff up to a computer.

Yeah, yeah, I do have instruments, but they're basic. I don't have a huge display of plastic in front of the wheel preventing me from seeing forward. I don't integrate my GPS with my autopilot. I don't have a computer on board. I make use of the NOAA Booklet charts and all online sources before I go sailing.

I have a friend who has guests who get freaked out when he turns his huge nav display off and tries to teach 'em to enjoy the boat and sailing. Just a big video game screen!!! Not what I like about sailing.

And I have a backup lead line.

breweraz · Jun 5, 2009

Considering the cleaniness statements of your boat I assume you do not have the oversight of an admiral on your sailing adventures. Strict rules applies when the admiral comes aboard.

This is one of those to each their own type of topics with an infinite range of latttitudes as to the level of detail, documentation, instruments, technology and on and on.

In my world I equate organization, cleaniliness, strong working condition of equiptment and riggings to safety. We only sail on inland lakes where the shore is always in sight and very familiar with the surrounding so the requirements, although still there, are much less complex than coastal sailors, but when needed everything must work. Sure I enjoy reading and looking at all the cool gagets but in the end I use the KISS method and only get what adds to my sailing enjoyment, ease of use, required saftey or most important the admirals comfort.

Having a peace of mind that my boat and its equiptment is ready when needed and the admiral wants to be out with me makes sailing much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Regarding insurance... it is by its nature for the unexpected and sometimes the uncontrolable. I guess if you sail where there are no other boats around and you sail only by yourself than it is all about you. If not, than insuraance is about the others around you as well. Have the wind drive you into a new 40ft Benetau or Motor yact as parked in our marina and see what the bill will be. I know that will NEVER happen to an experienced sailor...

You may not have a boat you want to insure but when in a Marina or on the water the unexpected does happen and sometimes it is uncotrolable, no mater your years of experience. For $500 a year I will take the piece of mind and do the socially responsible thing and carry insurance along with my personal liability umbrella. I have worked too hard to see it go away over an event. It is amazing how I have seen friends/family turn into legal enemies over injuries or property damage.

Regarding recepts I logically agree keeping detailed records is the right thing to do... so no argument... I just do not have the discipline to do it. I am not sure I really want to know what I spent or even care...I just enjoy what I have. Now digital pictures of all the improvements I do have and that seems to work well for insurance purposes in the past.

IMHO...yes times have changed, it is not the world we lived in 10, 20 30 years ago....we can all long for those days but sometimes you have to live in the worlds as it iis good and bad.

Tim

Maine Sail · Jun 5, 2009

druid said:
So - am I a dying breed?

Actually I think you are in the majority not the minority... I would say your breed is alive & well.

The only thing I don't get is the argument that a clean boat means we don't sail or we sail less? My main is up right now and I'm just about to drop the mooring when I hit send.. Between Monday and today the only day I did not get a sail was Tuesday and I'll be out this weekend too. It's a nice peaceful 9-12 knots so I'm going sailing for a couple hours.

Capt. Kermie · Jun 5, 2009

Pride of Ownership

Well, about the colregs and other intellectual stuff? I took a Powersquadron course and the PCOC card course, had to memorize a whole lot of stuff, just like cramming for exams, do I remember it all - nope, only remember what I use on a regular basis, all other material learned has dissipated over the years. But I do learn a whole lotta new more relevant material from the different sailing blogs I peruse and learn a lot from others experiences too.
As for the state of repair/disrepair of my boat, well that to me is a matter of pride of ownership combined with the Admirals influence. I keep my boat clean and shiny throughout the season and rinse it down after each sail. Nothing is left in disrepair mostly for saftey reasons and I loathe things that don't work. If the day ever comes that I sell you can be sure the first prospect will snap it up due to the babied condition it is in. I love my boat and it shows. I don't keep too many receipts once I show the insurance company proof of purchase they are no longer relevant. I can't be bothered with log books either, too much writing and I keep memories where they belong, in my mind. We are all somewhat like you in some respects but in others we are different, what ever floats your boat.

Ross · Jun 5, 2009

Re: Pride of Ownership

I don't do much cleaning because I don't allow dirt to accumulate. When I use something I clean it and put it away. If I spill something I clean it up. When I sharpen my knife I put the stone away before I return to the task that needed a sharp knife. When we finish the holding tank pump-out the deck key goes back on the hook before the boat moves. When a food dish is empty it is washed, dried and put away and the sink is dried.

Witzend · Jun 5, 2009

1) I'm as organized as I need to be.
2) I don't remember useless information now that I can look it up on the internet and bookmark it.
3) I can fix anything, even though I may know very little about it, because I know the process, divide and conquer. I have made a successful career from doing just this and I apply it to every aspect of my life including sailing.
4) I have an Admiral, so I must obey her or go hungry.
5) I can't spell, thank god for spell check.
6) I can sail by my cheeks with my eyes closed, but like my toys.
7) I prefer to windsurf.
8) Sailing is a philosophy, if there are two boats, it's a race.

Don12364 · Jun 5, 2009

My Problem

If something breaks or wears out I don't buy new I just repair or rebuild it.
As a result I have a house full of old appliances and my boat has much ancient equipment too.
However for every job I analyse where the original designer let me down and the repair or rebuild is done in such a way that the original fault will not occur again.
People laugh at me but, though old, all my gear is so much more reliable than when it was new.

Witzend · Jun 6, 2009

Yea, rather make my own too. You don't want to be within ear shot of me when I run into a bozo engineer who thinks his design will never need repair, which unfortunately is most of the time on a boat. Although I have to admit that Catalina has done a pretty good job on engine access on my 310.

Ross · Jun 6, 2009

Does anybody have better engine access than this?

tommays · Jun 6, 2009

I don't get insane BUT i like keeping the boat clean

I do have to say painting the mast did get a bit INSANE but it blows myself and everybody away who sees it finished

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