Random thoughts!

[Dan Hill]

Being on a shoestring sailing budget I like many do as much of my own repairs and upgrades as possible. While grinding away at the fiberglass on my rudder that I layed up last night. I can't help thinking about the poor souls that live in temperate areas that allow them to sail year round. It must be horrible to be working on your boat when you could be out sailing. Thankfully, here in the northeast, mother nature provides lots of down time to get things done! :-D

 

[Sailm8]

You do make a good point. We have been in Florida for 13 years now and our sailing has gone through at least two stages. One, sail every waking moment and have with drawl when work got in the way. Stage 2 is less frequent day trips but longer trips when we do sail. At least once a month we spend a week or more on the boat.

When I lived up north the house suffered badly from neglect in the summer. Down here, we live in a condo so I'm not bothered by trivial homeowner crap.

 

[Allan12210]

Its a tough living, but someone has to do it. :cry:But, when all the work is done, we can go sailing. :dance: When all your work is done, then what? Better stretch those chores.

 

[seadaddler]

retired

Well being retired and living in Florida we really get spoiled having so much free
time to go sailing any time we want so when the boat needs work we really don't mind at all.
My boat is on the hard as we speak for a sanding and new bottom paint and while out of the water some other things needing attention.
I do most of my own work and the few times it keeps us from sailing doesn't seem to be a problem and my wife likes a break once in a while as frank said we go on a lot of longer cruising trips than when we worked and lived up north.
Nick

 

[Dan Hill]

Its a tough living, but someone has to do it. :cry:But, when all the work is done, we can go sailing. :dance: When all your work is done, then what? Better stretch those chores.

Allen, when it takes 2-3 hours to warm your work area enough to let your epoxy (maybe) cure. Small jobs stretch themselves. Enjoy the sailing! Our spring is approving fast. PLEASE!

 

[topcat0399]

For us - restoration time is pretty much a mad rush in early spring and always concentrates on the "must do" things. Fall - I always plan boat stuff but end up preparing house and vehicles for he long coming deep freeze (if I'm wise). Nothing is easy at 0 degrees without a heated garage. Trying to get things done on a frozen boat under a tarp is just too maddening and the heaters propane tank empties quite quickly.

Evey year I have a grand list of things to be done over the warm months but - After first spring launch I pretty much don't do any of them. We spend all available time on the water doing what we bought the boat for: sailing.

This is why restoration of our old boat is going to take a decade (s).

Ah mother nature.

The admiral and I were wondering what a Venture 224 would look like with giant ice runners under her!

 

[Benny17441]

Actually, we manage quite well; thank you for your thoughts. It is nice we get to pick and choose from, to schedule upgrades and maintenance work. Perhaps on rainy and windless days will find something to do. I imagine is hard to complete a project and then still have to wait two more months to go sailing.