When you purchased your boat (used, not new) did the previous owner provide you with the documentation for all the electronics and user manuals of the boat? Curiosity prevails here.
Boat documentation
- Thread starter Brian D
- Start date
When we sold our boat last year we gave the new owner a thumb drive with .pdf files of everything on the boat. They were either scanned or downloaded from paper manuals or the manufacturer's websites. It included all the systems that came with the boat originally and what we added over the years. I kept that info on Google Drive where I could refer to it at any time.
Previous boat = no
(we bought it from people who had purchased it as their first sailboat, and they didn't seem knowledgeable. Much of the boat wiring wasn't working, but the electronics worked fine once reconnected. No manuals included and they weren't sure where they were. CDI furler was incorrectly rigged so that you couldn't remove the headsail when stepped. Tldr: They were clueless and likely no longer own a boat.
I sourced all manuals and had them stored on a USB stick, and on Google Le drive. Everything I had, including Catalina NSA docs, photos of work done, etc. was given to the new owner when I sold the boat. )
Current boat = yes
(Previous owners had her for 12 years, and were members of a club. They had every manual and receipt, all orgranized in a plastic file organizer. All hardware for stepping the mast was in labelled zip lock bags. Checklists for spring and fall included in a logbook)
(we bought it from people who had purchased it as their first sailboat, and they didn't seem knowledgeable. Much of the boat wiring wasn't working, but the electronics worked fine once reconnected. No manuals included and they weren't sure where they were. CDI furler was incorrectly rigged so that you couldn't remove the headsail when stepped. Tldr: They were clueless and likely no longer own a boat.
I sourced all manuals and had them stored on a USB stick, and on Google Le drive. Everything I had, including Catalina NSA docs, photos of work done, etc. was given to the new owner when I sold the boat. )
Current boat = yes
(Previous owners had her for 12 years, and were members of a club. They had every manual and receipt, all orgranized in a plastic file organizer. All hardware for stepping the mast was in labelled zip lock bags. Checklists for spring and fall included in a logbook)
Our POs gave us everything. Dated receipts too. I've been able to locate and download PDFs of the hardware manuals. I like electronic backups.
On our current boat, there were manuals for many things. I don't recall the electronics specifically. They were old and were due to be replaced. Some current paper manuals are on the boat and at home and electronic copies are stored in the cloud.
We're a Mac centric family and use the Books app to manage them. They are accessible on all our devices at any time, any where.
I am in the (slow) process of documenting the changes made in the systems for the next owner, in particular the DC electric system and basic operation of the electronics and networking.
We're a Mac centric family and use the Books app to manage them. They are accessible on all our devices at any time, any where.
I am in the (slow) process of documenting the changes made in the systems for the next owner, in particular the DC electric system and basic operation of the electronics and networking.
We are the 3rd owner.
On the boat...
1) Complete set of original manuals, in a carrying case from the Hunter Dealer.
2) All new additions manuals and receipts
3) Tourist stuff from previous sailing adventures.
We have done the same, using a special folder with large ring bound hooks and two sided viewing
In addition, we keep up a Ships log with maintenance, etc
The Big Prize was...
Commissioning Papers
They showed our boat was first put in the water April 17, 1999
Jim...
PS: I have modernize it with a Computer Data base , with scans of documents.
On the boat...
1) Complete set of original manuals, in a carrying case from the Hunter Dealer.
2) All new additions manuals and receipts
3) Tourist stuff from previous sailing adventures.
We have done the same, using a special folder with large ring bound hooks and two sided viewing
In addition, we keep up a Ships log with maintenance, etc
The Big Prize was...
Commissioning Papers
They showed our boat was first put in the water April 17, 1999
Jim...
PS: I have modernize it with a Computer Data base , with scans of documents.
Try Filemaker from Claris® for a Complete Data Base.
You can make custom Apps that are cross platforms.
I used it for years, then Apple bought it at Version 14. Now up to version 19.
Jim...
PS: I was on their tech team for software help a few years ago.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,265
NO
It has been a case of discovery, best guessing (occasionally - SWAG), and just plain removal and replacement.
It has been a case of discovery, best guessing (occasionally - SWAG), and just plain removal and replacement.
Thanks for the suggestions, but it sounds like a lot more work than just using the Books App. Simple, import the document, assign it to a collection and it's there across all devices.Try Filemaker from Claris® for a Complete Data Base.
You can make custom Apps that are cross platforms.
I used it for years, then Apple bought it at Version 14. Now up to version 19.
Jim...
PS: I was on their tech team for software help a few years ago.
Well there are many pre-done solutions for FileMaker.
I sent @jssailem a free copy of the Professional Version, I got on Apple's year end special.
That is now the Top App maker that is Cross Platform and works on all devices.
When is I am finished with my Boat Data Base, I can share it for all personal devices that SBO users have.
The need for a scanner has diminished. Snap a picture and auto add to your database.
Only a slight knowledge of programming needed. Point, click and add is now so easy.
Jim...
I sent @jssailem a free copy of the Professional Version, I got on Apple's year end special.
That is now the Top App maker that is Cross Platform and works on all devices.
When is I am finished with my Boat Data Base, I can share it for all personal devices that SBO users have.
The need for a scanner has diminished. Snap a picture and auto add to your database.
Only a slight knowledge of programming needed. Point, click and add is now so easy.
Jim...
On my current boat for the most part, yes. The boat is from 1984 so some original things did not have documentation. Everything from when the PO bought the boat in 2000 was quite well documented. So from 2000 on, I have all manuals from anything new added and a complete maintenance history from 2000 onwards. It was one of the things I liked when looking at the boat before purchase.
Lot's of past boats had nothing....
dj
I received various documents from the PO’s of both the boats I have owned. Some more valuable than others, and some cases, manuals, receipts, etc for stuff no longer on the boat.
It was fun to go through it all and see some history on the boat(s).
Greg
It was fun to go through it all and see some history on the boat(s).
Greg
Seventh owner of my boat. Had all the manuals for gear on the boat as well as gear that had been removed.
Agree somewhat, simply for the convenience.
Nothing beats the image quality of a good scanner. I picked up a used Fujitsu document scanner, for $100, a year ago. Got some new rollers off the interwebs, and it works like new.
Scans both ŝides at the same time and has decent OCR if needed, so that the pdf is searchable.
It sits on the table in the office and I can scan a whole book/binder in no time. Much better than any phone for wiring diagrams etc.
Hi Brian. Yes, for the most part. Main propulsion engine and Genset had user manuals, but no service manual. I now have a service manual for the main engine. No documentation for the Australian made windlass. Nice piece of machinery, so I had to do some internet digging to obtain a parts listing. Documentation for the toilets, instrument suite, heat pumps, etc. all came with the boat from the PO.
Yes............and when I sold it I provided the same plus additional documentation for upgrades AND flash drive with:
- All the equipment manuals
- Equipment list with manufacture, model and serial number
- MMSI no. EPIRB registration
- Sails and rigging specifications
- Dinghy Manufacturer Statement of Origin and title
- Maintenance performed date, by whom (by self or others) and cost including bottom cleaning, etc.
- Bottom cleaning quarterly inspection reports
- Boat contractor list
- Surveys - marine, engine, rigging, electrical
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Yup, many were for equipment no longer on the boat. Most not very valuable being you can find updated ones on the internet.. What was valuable was the original receipts and invoices for the big stuff like sails, furler and dodger.
I am in the same position. I will take care of the next owner.
I think that's the big thing people forget. You will one day sell the boat, so why not help yourself AND the future owner.
I just bought a new to me used car and the dealership handed me everything on a flash drive. I thought to myself I can scan in any service records and history to the flash drive and hand it over to the next owner.