When it comes time to fix your boat, are you more likely to pick up your credit card or your wrench? Do you subscribe to the school that says boats are for sailing and fixing is best left to the pros? Do you handle most of the minor repairs but pay to have the big jobs done? Or are you the only mechanic who touches your boat? Fix your story here then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Jim Sherrow
Wrench It
While the time is sometimes hard to find, I find enjoyment in tackling something new. Currently I am in a class on Gel Coat repair. Of course it never hurts to have the credit card as a back up!
While the time is sometimes hard to find, I find enjoyment in tackling something new. Currently I am in a class on Gel Coat repair. Of course it never hurts to have the credit card as a back up!
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Cam W
Credit Card (or Cash)
My boat is for sailing and I don't trust my knowledge of repairs. If my computer went up, I woud be confident to dig in and fix it, but not the boat. My computer can't sink with all hands.
My boat is for sailing and I don't trust my knowledge of repairs. If my computer went up, I woud be confident to dig in and fix it, but not the boat. My computer can't sink with all hands.
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Ron Houston
Working on boats
I enjoy working on boats as much or more than sailing. Motors may be the only exception, but since I use outboards I haven't had any problem yet. I have a fleet of project boats that I research, repair, upgrade, sail, and sell. The Capri 18 is the newest and I have added a slide out cabin table and am in the process of designing and making canvas accessories. A Coronado 25 is my biggest project requiring hull repair, new standing rigging and a new interior. I am several years out on that one.
I enjoy working on boats as much or more than sailing. Motors may be the only exception, but since I use outboards I haven't had any problem yet. I have a fleet of project boats that I research, repair, upgrade, sail, and sell. The Capri 18 is the newest and I have added a slide out cabin table and am in the process of designing and making canvas accessories. A Coronado 25 is my biggest project requiring hull repair, new standing rigging and a new interior. I am several years out on that one.
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red coles
DIY
I have always done all my own repair, large or small. It has helped me to be almost completly self sufficient. I have done sailwork, engine work,complete hull refinish, added eletronics, reupholstered, rewired etc. You just need a positive attitude and patience. Yes I made a lot of mistakes, but never twice. red
I have always done all my own repair, large or small. It has helped me to be almost completly self sufficient. I have done sailwork, engine work,complete hull refinish, added eletronics, reupholstered, rewired etc. You just need a positive attitude and patience. Yes I made a lot of mistakes, but never twice. red
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Chris Hyland
Pay or Play
The decesion of repairs, for me is not capability, I can fix just about anything on the boat. Including a complete rebiult of the diesel. The question is whether the repairs will infringe too much on our time to use the boat. If it's a long drawnout repair, I write the check. It's cheaper for me to work a few extra hours and pay, than to do it myself sometimes. Regards, Chris
The decesion of repairs, for me is not capability, I can fix just about anything on the boat. Including a complete rebiult of the diesel. The question is whether the repairs will infringe too much on our time to use the boat. If it's a long drawnout repair, I write the check. It's cheaper for me to work a few extra hours and pay, than to do it myself sometimes. Regards, Chris
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Richard Diemer
Credit card or wrench
If I want it done today I do it myself. If I lack the time someone else get paid to do it.
If I want it done today I do it myself. If I lack the time someone else get paid to do it.
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Skip McCullough
Maintenance is Fun?
I have have owned my O'Day 40 for 1 1/2 years and this is the second winter with it. When we got it, there were several problems that had been let go, due to a previous owner that had evrything done. When he saw something wrong, he paid to get it fixed, the problem being there were many things he didn't see. My wife and I have brought it back to almost pristine condition. We spends our weekends under a cover with two electric heaters, wiring varnishing, rebedding deck hardware, and rebuilding things like the steering gear and hot water tanks. In general it is one thing that we do together and enjoy. I am a big guy and right handed and she is petite and left handed. IT takes team work there are things she can't get and things I can't get, but together we accomplish it. We will try just about anything, but there are areas that we lack the knowledge or tools to do certain jobs. For example when we got the boat survey found an area under one of the hull ports to have soft core under it. We paid a fiberglass man to repair it last winter. I can do minor engine repair, but if there is something major I will pay a mechanic to come in and fix it. On the other side this year we put a new high output alternator and charging system on our Westerbeake engine. It was a challenge, but I have found suppliers more than willing to help with advise on such installations. I have founds most suppliers like Westerbeake, Max-prop, Harken, Jack Rabbit Marine, and Bomar very helpful and more than willing to give advise. Most are available on the web. I guess my main point it is what we do. It makes us appreciate what we have. Now that our children are grown and out on their own it is one thing we do together that keeps us close and we enjoy doing. I also realize that I am very lucky to have a wife that enjoys it as much as I do.
I have have owned my O'Day 40 for 1 1/2 years and this is the second winter with it. When we got it, there were several problems that had been let go, due to a previous owner that had evrything done. When he saw something wrong, he paid to get it fixed, the problem being there were many things he didn't see. My wife and I have brought it back to almost pristine condition. We spends our weekends under a cover with two electric heaters, wiring varnishing, rebedding deck hardware, and rebuilding things like the steering gear and hot water tanks. In general it is one thing that we do together and enjoy. I am a big guy and right handed and she is petite and left handed. IT takes team work there are things she can't get and things I can't get, but together we accomplish it. We will try just about anything, but there are areas that we lack the knowledge or tools to do certain jobs. For example when we got the boat survey found an area under one of the hull ports to have soft core under it. We paid a fiberglass man to repair it last winter. I can do minor engine repair, but if there is something major I will pay a mechanic to come in and fix it. On the other side this year we put a new high output alternator and charging system on our Westerbeake engine. It was a challenge, but I have found suppliers more than willing to help with advise on such installations. I have founds most suppliers like Westerbeake, Max-prop, Harken, Jack Rabbit Marine, and Bomar very helpful and more than willing to give advise. Most are available on the web. I guess my main point it is what we do. It makes us appreciate what we have. Now that our children are grown and out on their own it is one thing we do together that keeps us close and we enjoy doing. I also realize that I am very lucky to have a wife that enjoys it as much as I do.
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Vic Suben
Wrench
I perform most tasks myself rather than using a credit card. However, if I do not have the time to accomplish thelarger, more difficult tasks because of other commitments, I will reach for a credit card.
I perform most tasks myself rather than using a credit card. However, if I do not have the time to accomplish thelarger, more difficult tasks because of other commitments, I will reach for a credit card.
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Steve O.
hmmm....
I wonder where this question came from. I am definetly a DIY guy, after paying the slip fees, haul-out, storage, insurance, etc there ain't much left over. I would like to know what PS, a magazine who claims to be objective and unbiased, based their opinion about Hunter owners on? Did they take a poll? Where's the documentation? Otherwise, its just someone's opinion, and it doesn't ring true in my observation.
I wonder where this question came from. I am definetly a DIY guy, after paying the slip fees, haul-out, storage, insurance, etc there ain't much left over. I would like to know what PS, a magazine who claims to be objective and unbiased, based their opinion about Hunter owners on? Did they take a poll? Where's the documentation? Otherwise, its just someone's opinion, and it doesn't ring true in my observation.
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Jack LaValley
A Moment of Dignity for a Sailing Boat
My boat travels in two dimensions...and it takes me with it. In the world of repairs, it invites my sailing friend over and it shows us how to share our tools, ideas, and love for the craft and each other . Then it takes me to the water and treats me to a breeze, a sparkling sea, and a blessing of peace for my wife and I. We are borne away on the wisdom of its hull and sails, and we share with it a new grace and form with which to glide into the world it was made for. This glimpse of life, I give to my boat ... out of simple respect for its maker.
My boat travels in two dimensions...and it takes me with it. In the world of repairs, it invites my sailing friend over and it shows us how to share our tools, ideas, and love for the craft and each other . Then it takes me to the water and treats me to a breeze, a sparkling sea, and a blessing of peace for my wife and I. We are borne away on the wisdom of its hull and sails, and we share with it a new grace and form with which to glide into the world it was made for. This glimpse of life, I give to my boat ... out of simple respect for its maker.
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Scott
ability and bottom line
My wife approved a $2500 budget for buying a sailboat last summer (1966 Oday Mariner). She keeps a sharp eye on the credit card and bank statements. I try to keep the costs down to a bare mininum to stay below her reaction threshold. (All her friends told her that a boat is a constant expense, and that each boat successively leads to a larger boat). In making a decision about boat maintenance I must first consider my limited mechanical abilities (damn, if I only paid more attention to my father as he maintained a wood sailboat singlehanded), then the cost. I have invested in some tools for the long term, and am fortunate to work with older guys that are very experienced and willing to give advice. I have found this forum very useful for advice as well. The overriding factor is safety. I do not mess with anything that could cause injury if it fails. Well, off to buy some botttom paint...
My wife approved a $2500 budget for buying a sailboat last summer (1966 Oday Mariner). She keeps a sharp eye on the credit card and bank statements. I try to keep the costs down to a bare mininum to stay below her reaction threshold. (All her friends told her that a boat is a constant expense, and that each boat successively leads to a larger boat). In making a decision about boat maintenance I must first consider my limited mechanical abilities (damn, if I only paid more attention to my father as he maintained a wood sailboat singlehanded), then the cost. I have invested in some tools for the long term, and am fortunate to work with older guys that are very experienced and willing to give advice. I have found this forum very useful for advice as well. The overriding factor is safety. I do not mess with anything that could cause injury if it fails. Well, off to buy some botttom paint...
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Carl and Juliana Dupre
It's a Mixed Bag
So far it's a mix of DIY and $$$. If we feel that we have the capability and the time, we DIY it. It's "fun" and we learn more about the boat with everything that we do; we are only starting our second season and the learning curve is still fairly steep. Currently 4 projects underway; one $$$ (radar install) and three DIY's (rigid vang install, Acugage install, chartplotter install). We are getting real good with a wire snake! Spring prep and maintenance stuff is about 1/3 $$$ and 2/3 DIY. But ultimately, the boat is for SAILING. Once she hits the water, that's how we want to spend our time. BTW, this really doesn't have anything to do with the PS comment, does it? Naaah!!! Nobody pays that much attention to PS's nonsense; just make use of the good information on products and ignore the occasional silly commentary. Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
So far it's a mix of DIY and $$$. If we feel that we have the capability and the time, we DIY it. It's "fun" and we learn more about the boat with everything that we do; we are only starting our second season and the learning curve is still fairly steep. Currently 4 projects underway; one $$$ (radar install) and three DIY's (rigid vang install, Acugage install, chartplotter install). We are getting real good with a wire snake! Spring prep and maintenance stuff is about 1/3 $$$ and 2/3 DIY. But ultimately, the boat is for SAILING. Once she hits the water, that's how we want to spend our time. BTW, this really doesn't have anything to do with the PS comment, does it? Naaah!!! Nobody pays that much attention to PS's nonsense; just make use of the good information on products and ignore the occasional silly commentary. Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
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Rob McLaughlin
DIY
They say that a captain (or skipper) should know every nut and bolt and every square inch of his ship. Shy of rebuilding powerheads, I do all of my own maintenance and modifications, and I think there is a lot of benefit in this for safety and emergency situations. Knowing your boat inside and out will let you attend to repairs quickly and effectively. DIY also yields a lot of satisfaction when the work is done. I read the PS article, and I don't think they are that far off, from what I've seen. One posting on this list asked for the documentation here, but one of the key sources of that info was the designer from Hunter. It wasn't so much a disparaging remark as it was a design consideration for how the boat will likely be used. I, for one, own a Hunter and was not offended by it.
They say that a captain (or skipper) should know every nut and bolt and every square inch of his ship. Shy of rebuilding powerheads, I do all of my own maintenance and modifications, and I think there is a lot of benefit in this for safety and emergency situations. Knowing your boat inside and out will let you attend to repairs quickly and effectively. DIY also yields a lot of satisfaction when the work is done. I read the PS article, and I don't think they are that far off, from what I've seen. One posting on this list asked for the documentation here, but one of the key sources of that info was the designer from Hunter. It wasn't so much a disparaging remark as it was a design consideration for how the boat will likely be used. I, for one, own a Hunter and was not offended by it.
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Eric Pratt
Major or Minor
For major repairs I pull out the credit card but the minor items such as motor tune-up I will do it myself. I much prefer sailing to fixing. An hour on the dock equals 5 hours of sailing.
For major repairs I pull out the credit card but the minor items such as motor tune-up I will do it myself. I much prefer sailing to fixing. An hour on the dock equals 5 hours of sailing.
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Paul
Wrench it, part of the deal with my wife
My wife didn't think we could afford a boat so the deal was I had to pay cash for the boat and keep maintenance costs to a minimum. It works out well since I enjoy fixing things and outboard Catalina are simple to work on. Paul
My wife didn't think we could afford a boat so the deal was I had to pay cash for the boat and keep maintenance costs to a minimum. It works out well since I enjoy fixing things and outboard Catalina are simple to work on. Paul
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John K Kudera
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Fred Scott
You might call me a Wrench
Now that my Mac 26X is 5 years old and have completed all my upgrades in the first 2 years and hardly any repairs which I do myself there is not much else to do except a good annual wax job after I lift the winter cover off next month. Credit card not needed "LADY Vi" Fred Scott Alberta.
Now that my Mac 26X is 5 years old and have completed all my upgrades in the first 2 years and hardly any repairs which I do myself there is not much else to do except a good annual wax job after I lift the winter cover off next month. Credit card not needed "LADY Vi" Fred Scott Alberta.
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tho52mas@nccw.net
wrench
The motor is so old, I can still work on it! My car's heater does not work, nor does the fan, and wother should be easy to diagnose and fix, but there are so mant options because of the computers that you need one with the software to figure it out! The rest of the repairs I want to do because then I know what was done and can see possible breakdown areas before it happens. And I am as good or better than the boat place mechanics/repair people anyway.
The motor is so old, I can still work on it! My car's heater does not work, nor does the fan, and wother should be easy to diagnose and fix, but there are so mant options because of the computers that you need one with the software to figure it out! The rest of the repairs I want to do because then I know what was done and can see possible breakdown areas before it happens. And I am as good or better than the boat place mechanics/repair people anyway.
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Dick Salisbury
Handy
Only electronic repairs are done by others. Keeping my O'Day 35 sailing and motoring is a passion. Pride is a strong modivator, as well as overall cost. Dick
Only electronic repairs are done by others. Keeping my O'Day 35 sailing and motoring is a passion. Pride is a strong modivator, as well as overall cost. Dick
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