Is your boat a finely assembled, original manufactured piece of art work?

[jssailem]

How do you look at your boat and what do you consider when something goes amiss?

1. Is your boat a pristine assemblage of only Original Manufactured parts? Finely tuned and buffed to reflect that show room shine she had when first gently dipped into the water by the manufacturers staff? To what ends will you go to find an OEM part from the brand name?
2. Or is your boat an assemblage of quality parts that you determine best meet the budget, function, and purpose you decide for the boat? It is ok to buy an aged part at a swap meet if it will fulfill the purpose. So what is you have Lewmar / Harkin / Schaefer parts on your boat. The builder just bought good parts that came from the lowest bidder/supplier. They added just enough name brands to be able to up charge their customers when selling the boat.

Looking forward to your perspective.

 

[Hayden Watson]

My boat began life as a decent quality production boat with a good basic set of sails and sail handling equipment. The PO's added some nice bits of gear to bring it to a higher than original standard. I have spent the last 23 years improving on all who proceeded me.
Just to name a few.
Hydronic heat
Custom star spinnaker
refer conversion and freezer
all new cushions
All new hatch lenses.
soon to add 560AH of LFP battery capacity.

Oh, and she still shines like the day she was delivered from the factory after 34 years.

 

[kappykaplan]

My boat is 39 years old! I take whatever quality parts I can find. I have Harken, Lewmar, Schaefer, Garhaer, etc., parts on the boat. Excellent question, John.

 

[dmax]

Unfortunately, I have the perfectionist gene which is tough when you have a 35 year old boat, so I lean towards #1 though I don't care about OEM parts. Anything I do must be factory quality or better, all new parts.

 

[dLj]

I personally look at all boats as an assemblage of systems.The OEM assembled various systems based on the time manufactured and known engineering at the time. As time progresses, so does technology. As original systems reach end of life and need replacing, then the best current (or affordable) technology to replace what needs replacing is chosen. Use also may change. And of course as we all know, use dictates more appropriate systems. So I guess my short answer is, I don't consider OEM systems as having any weight unless they still remain as the best choice.

dj

 

[JamesG161]

came from the lowest bidder/supplier.

based on Quantity purchased for production boats.
Include Standard Sizes to that mix.
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Old commercial...

Parts is Parts
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The good makers of parts are still around and well engineered.
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I consider myself an expert now on Parts, as I restore my Hurricane damaged boat.
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One other thought is this Site.

Contributors and posters seek the best available and retrofits.
Jim...

PS: Still in this Captain's mind, Work of Art and Science.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

After spending decades in manufacturing,I understand every component installed is a compromise . Cost ,reliability ,ease of installation all go into the original design. When I replace or upgrade ,it is always with the idea of making it better . I am not under the constraints of having to answer to a book keeper .

 

[dlochner]

I share @dLj 's approach, the boat is a collection of systems, some systems remain pretty much as the builder made them, others over time have been modified and upgraded. Second Star is now on her fourth revision of the DC system, at least its second revision of electronics, second stove and LPG system and others.

Sabre builds high end production boats and used quality parts through out. I try to do the same. Using work arounds and substandard parts and pieces is just asking for problems down the line.

 

[Mark Maulden]

Bought the boat 12 yrs ago as a slip queen. It is now 42 yrs old and I get asked if it’s a new boat. When I bought it, it was in the exact same configuration (not condition) as when went out the factory door. I added heat, propane, engine, saildrive, rigging, sails, charging system over the years. New batts coming up and staying out of the Lithium game…

 

[Capt Robbie]

My original owner 1983 hunter 34 is now 33 years old soon to be 34 years this July.
it Sustained heavy damage from hurricane Sandy 10 years ago. Made a promise to my father while he was going thru cancer treatments and chemotherapy that I would repair the boat to be just like it rolled out of the factory. As of now the boat has been 90% restored to as like factory condition as I can.

Spent almost a year just trying to find the original hull pin strips. Reconditioning all the electronics, rigging, sails, and electrical systems twice, but that a whole other story. Basically rebuilt this boat from the keel up. One of the only items that I was not able to replace with original was the twill woven interior cushions, but he really never liked them anyway.

Unfortunately he past before I was able to finish, which was kinda bitter sweet. Although he never got to see his boat back to its pristine factory condition, he also never saw the absolutely horrific damage done by the storm.
I truly believe that if he would have seen his boat after the hurricane damage, that would have broken him and his spirit. He kept on fighting the cancer every day eagerly awaiting my boat repair updates and telling me how he can’t wait to get it back in the water to go sailing again.

My promise has been kept.
Approximately 2000 hours of labor and 18k spent in restoration later, the Boat looks like it just left the factory yesterday, with the exception of the cushions, some original equipment that can’t be replaced, and a few upgrades she is about 90% original from the day she was commissioned from the dealership.

Just wish he could have gotten the chance to see it finished and sail her one more time.
Pop.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Correctly or not, I infer you are essentially asking which is more important - form or function.

Depends on who you ask - my wife says the former, me the latter. So we do the "smart thing" and do what she says.

 

[quadrille38]

Unfortunately, I have the perfectionist gene which is tough when you have a 35 year old boat, so I lean towards #1 though I don't care about OEM parts. Anything I do must be factory quality or better, all new parts.

I resemble that remark LOL
Something I inherited from my father who was a tool and die maker and lived life in 100 thousandths of an inch kind of way.

For of many things tend to look to OEM kInds of things and SBO store is my go to for that - than goodness For them. For others I’ve upgraded to higher quality components where I felt it was needed.

 

[jssailem]

So we do the "smart thing" and do what she says.

That makes perfect sense.
After all you sail and Alden 50.

Alden Yachts is a renowned top of the line yacht builder since 1909, known for rugged construction, superior joinery, high quality equipment and speed.​

 

[Calif. Ted]

Had a weirdly shaped piece of carpet in the aft cabin with snaps and bound edges was pretty grubby. Thought it would be cheap, so I took it to various places locally and got estimates of $325-500, it might be 2 sq. ft. Called the factory parts in California, when it was still there, got one just like original for $97. It used to be a weird process, I'd call "Dani" at the factory and tell her what I wanted, she'd e-mail me a part number and I would e-mail back an order.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

That makes perfect sense.
After all you sail and Alden 50.

Alden Yachts is a renowned top of the line yacht builder since 1909, known for rugged construction, superior joinery, high quality equipment and speed.​

Maybe but we had a lot less trouble with the Hunter 40.5 we owned for 10 years.

 

[dlochner]

This seems like a good time for a short rant.

Among other things, one of our fans went out. Not a big deal, but in the Keys it is warm and we don't have AC. Judging by the screw holes this is the third fan to be installed in this position. The job should not be a big deal, cut a few wires, install a few connectors and cool breezes flow through the V-Berth. Except someone earlier in the boat's life decided a few feet of marine wire was too expensive so, they used THN wire. THN wire is stranded, that's good, but it is the wire used in shore based wiring. Shouldn't be a problem, except 14 THN is a different size from 14g SAE, which is a different size from 14 ga AWG. 14 ga THN is too big to fit into a 14-16 ga (blue) crimp fitting and way too small for a 10-12 ga (yellow) crimp fitting. Arrgh! Use the right stuff and don't cheap out, passing the cost of your miserly ways onto others!

Remember the Golden Rule of boat maintenance and repair:

"Do not do unto others what prior owners have done unto you."

 

[topcat0399]

10 years ago I naively bought a then 40 year old fully oem equipped and totally worn out wreck that was sporting a coat of fresh white paint. I was so proud. Soon learned Everything needed replaced or repaired. Everything. God.

Her equipment is constantly evolving over time from dime store rope and fittings and supplies to the highest quality professional gear the improving budget allows. I never hesitate to hack up my old wreck and rearrange her anyway I like because she is after all only plastic and it is ultimately all my fault...

I will never be an OEM captive audience. Shes mine! and pretty much worthless to everyone but me.

Everyday I become more prepared to sail her anywhere I like and in MY style.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Had a weirdly shaped piece of carpet in the aft cabin with snaps and bound edges was pretty grubby. Thought it would be cheap, so I took it to various places locally and got estimates of $325-500, it might be 2 sq. ft. Called the factory parts in California, when it was still there, got one just like original for $97. It used to be a weird process, I'd call "Dani" at the factory and tell her what I wanted, she'd e-mail me a part number and I would e-mail back an order.

For our replacement, Sue found a rectangular rug close to the same size and gave it to @Ward H and he cut it and put a border on it. Worked out great!

 

[BarryL]

Hey,

As mentioned many times, all boats are a compromise.

My current boat is a Jeanneau 409. As delivered by the factory, it came with high quality components:
Harken Winches (3 of 4 are powered and I LOVE them), Vetus Bow thruster, Quick Windlass, Isotherm refrigeration and water heater, Yanmar engine, Scandvik plumbing fixtures, Cruiseair air conditioning, etc. Some other components I don't think are such high quality (Jabsco head, Jabsco pumps (fresh water is OK, Bilge pump not so much).

When I need to make a repair or make a modification, or add new gear I try to use high quality stuff too. I don't obsess about it. As long it is good quality and does the job I am OK with it.

Barry

 

[Ward H]

OEM quality or better for parts.
Improvements to systems are almost always upgrades.
I'm not interested in a restoration.
I am interested in keeping my boat up to my comfort and performance level.