Credit card or wrench?

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Tom Gorman

Repairs Roulette

I try to do as much maint as possible myself more for the satisfaction and knowledge than the cost. If something goes wrong in the middle of the Bay, hopefully I can handle it without calling in the tow boat or popping into the nearest marina and waiting for a mechanic. Anyway that's the theroy!
 
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Ed

Write a Check

I have a shop, own tools, fabricate items to customer specs, and know what it takes to deliver a quality job. I don't putter for recreation. Working on my boat would just be another job. My boat is a luxury. I wouldn't go to a restaurant and put on an apron. I leave the boatwork to the boatyard.
 
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Denny P.

got ta do it

I love doing the repairs on my boat. I start by reading everything that I can find on the subject, then go for it!! I find NO satisfaction to showing off a repair job, paint job, varnishing job that someone else has done on my pride and joy. Maybe I am handier with tools than most, but, I don't think so, I just like doin the jobs so I know they are done right. the sense of accomplishment is rewarding. Also, it's an excuse to buy more tools to hang in my garage!!!!!! All the best.....Denny P.
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

Both...

I always did the jobs that any fool should be able to themselves--and should know how to do--and paid for jobs that require skill and training. But I kept an eye on everything on my boat because doing so often allowed me to discover a small problem before it became a big expensive one, whether it was something I could fix myself or required a pro. Examples of that: a rail stanchion that's leaking and needs rebedding. No pro is gonna find it till enough water has leaked through it to cause interior damage. A loose hose clamp won't be found by anyone else but the owner till the hose comes off. Neither will frayed electrical wiring...the list goes on and on. Bottom line: anyone who doesn't assume at least some of the responsibility for his boat's maintenance will spend twice as much money, half as much time on the water playing, and end up with a boat that's worth only half as much as one that's had the attention from its owner that it needs.
 
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Colin Nielsen

Mr. Fix-it

Personally, I find working on my boat, either doing routine maintenance or completing new projects, almost as enjoyable as sailing. I have undertaken many projects on my 336 and only bring in an expert (credit card) when I don't have the skills or tools for a particular job (e.g. installing a compit enclosure). I'm not sure where Practical Sailor gets the idea that Hunter owners use their credit cards for work on their boats more often that Catalina owners - I certainly don't fit their mould.
 
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Tom

Almost always (99 %) do everything myself

There are alot of reasons why I do my own work, but just saving money is not always at the top of a list. With somethings I think you can do a better job than most boat yards (i.e. Prepping and bottom painting). Yes I am sure that I take longer to do something but the satisfaction is incredible.....and I get it done EXACTLY like I want it. (don't you ever wonder if they cut corners in some areas because it was easier for them) But Like the British writer Kenneth Grahame said.... "There is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, .......... That's the charm of it.." Like the VISA card commercial say......... Cost of Supplies...$ Cost of my Own time...$$ Cost of redoing it because of a mistake or wanting it different...$$$ Satisfaction of doing a Job Well done, Knowing it was done the way you wanted it
 
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Joe Dickson

Almost Everything...

Short of major structural issues, I perform all of the maintenance/upgrades on our boat myself... Joe S/V Charis
 
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Blaine Goeckler

Do it yourself

I have been a partner (0ne 0f three) in a 1968 Pearson sailboat since 1976. I believe it is accurate to say that in that time we have never had a paid boat worker on board. Projects we have undertaken have included bottom jobs and major engine overhauls in addition to routine maintenance. Unfortunately, we do not do sailmaking. We are currently in the process ( very slowly) of repainting the deck.
 
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stefan oetter

Do-It-Yourself

I do the work myself...that is the beauty of the Macgregor...very low and simple maintenance!
 
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Dan

Always messin' with something

I'm afraid that much of my time underway is spent mentally modifying/moving/repairing/and adjusting the stuff that can't be reached, drilled, or cut from the helm. I have often felt that the real division is between boat owners and sailors. People who are primarily sailors can rent or borrow somebody else's boat (often the sensible thing to do). Boat owners are much more anthropomorphic about the whole business. Even if she's covered with snow, locked in ice, and stuffed with rot, rust, and mildew; she still has a life and personality that are intimately entwined with your own. While credit cards may be necessary for honorable release from West Marine, the skipper's hand is the one that turns the wrench.
 
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peter

I had to dig deep to reply

Some one resently sen me a picture of a boat that grounded on Sable Island. I thought it would make a great Caption photo. regrards Peter "French Toast" Hunter 33
 
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Mark J. Steinmetz

Being An Engineer

Since maintenace is very expensive and I have an Electrical Engineering Degree with years of working on cars (mechanical experience), I try to fix everything including electronics.
 
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L-Seelig

70/30

I try to do as much as I can myself. I learn more about my boat that way and I was fortunate to have a father who was a major DIY'er. (I was in my twenties before I discovered not everyone had a garage full of tools.) Unfortunately, I'm not as good, nor as brave as my father when it comes to the DIY game as far as my boat is concerned. I'll try to tackle just about anything on my house, but I'm pretty confident it won't sink. So, I do resort the professional with certain repairs. My wife's pretty good too so as a rule we don't have to spend much when it comes to our boat except on those neat to have items... Regards, Lysle
 
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Roger

mea culpa

It is heresy, I know, but I am not any good at doing anything IMPORTANT to my boat. Love sailing, think about it all the time, love working on the boat, but I am just short of skill-less. I can do what I need to rig and operate, but changing the engine oil was a great accomplishment for me. I seem to be a voice in the wilderness. Most of you seem to have great skills and get as much or more satisfaction from your work on your boats as you get from your use of your boats. I wish I could say the same. Sure would make sailing less expensive for me. But I do learn a lot just reading about what you all seem able to do!
 
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Peter Furness

If I sail it I fix it!

Being retired I have the time to give to repairs and upgrades however, I relize there are those that do not have the time or expertize to work on there vessel. They should however, do as much as they can for it build not only confidence in ones self but also in the vessel that you sail.
 
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

Nobody's born with the skills, Roger

Like cooking, or playing a a musical instrument, they're learned. Some people have more talent for it, but anybody can learn to do most of the simpler mechanical work...IF they want to. A lot of it is actually very simple, once you know how.
 
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Paul Hager

No choice

I've become well known at all the discount houses and recieve my West coupons all the time. If I don't do it, it dosen't get done
 
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Rick Leger

Call me Mr. Goodwrench

I try to fix everything I can myself. I'll have things like mending and washing the sails done at a sail shop. So far I've been able to manage fine on my own but I'm sure someday I may need to enlist the help of a professional. Here's some of the repairs I've tackled and accomplished myself: - New circuit panel other misc. electrical. - Removal,rebuild,reinstall of inboard motor. - Replace old, worn-out hardware. - Rebuild(clean
 
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Joe Lynch

challenge 101

We are new to O'Day's. But as with our other boat all the eneral maintenance will be done by me. For me that means spring commisioning, bottom paint, teak repair and some engine work.Along with that winter storage and any shrink wrapping. The rest I will leave up to the professionals.
 
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Harry Asbury

I grew up working on boats

My grandfather designed and built sailboats, my father learned how from his father and I learned how with my father. From the time I could hold a wrench I was being shoved into or around the fuel or water tanks or into any small space to hold nuts, route hoses or whatever job needed to be done. At 12 I started my first paying job cleaning charter boats at the local marina in the Florida Keys. Now I'm an engineer heading up a Research and Development Model Shop, meaning we build engineering prototypes, experimental products and so forth. I do all the work on my sailboats (4 of them) including all machining of new parts, rebuilding broken parts or just something new I want to try. The only time someone else works on my boats is when I don't have the time or my time doing something else,like flying, is worth more than my money.
 
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