A risk to themselves?

[NK_man]

I think the "pride" in being a mechanical/technological imbicile harks back to the days when the most gifted school children were selected to study "Greats" or "classics" as it was in my day and gave up all sciences at the age of 14. I have a very intellectual friend who is a high paid London City lawyer who never even did maths O'Level (too busy with Greek, Latin, History, Philosophy) - he's only 40 years old!!!

As for boat mechanics - when I did my Day Skipper Prac in my old Sadler25 the inboard Vire wouldn't start (what a surprise I hear you chorus). The RYA Instructor was amazed a) that I would dismantle the carburettor on the saloon table rather than "get the yard to fix it" and b) that I had a comprehensive toolkit on board. So much for the RYA teaching self-reliance.

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[Evadne]

You're right there - if you plan a job out, you should be able to work out whether you can complete it or not. Most of my boat knowledge comes from watching professionals at work - I think if you show an inclination to learn then most people will respond by telling you what they're doing. It's always a nice feeling when you can help someone benefit from your experience. I just try and remember my limits, while at the same time expanding them.

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[dralex]

Key point that one- knowing your limits and admitting them.

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[Dave_Snelson]

Funnily enough, when I did my PB 1 & 2, the instructors new Mariner 90 wouldn't start, so I fixed it for him. The rest of the day went extraorinarily well...

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[snowleopard]

Re: signature......

makes the point, doesn't it?

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[numenius]

Re: signature......

My first boat was partialy selected as a learning excercise - it needed a lot of work done, so I rewired it completely and learned to service the engine and do most repairs via the manuals and various books. This was a deliberate decision on our part. I too am frequently amazed when I read/hear how many quite simple jobs are given to yards to do (as well as astounded at what folks are willing to pay - it would be easier just to take the money out of your pocket and set fire to it - I often think the guys at the yards must be hard pushed not to snigger when people pay those bills!). I also have huge time constraints, but figured that 20 miles offshore when a widget goes pop, the person who is most familiar with the mechanics & electrics of my boat is pretty useless to me in the yard. Far better that person be me. - Is it not one of the attractions, the self sufficient aspect? It is for me anyway. I have learnt so much. Having said that, you have to know your limitations of course.

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[jac]

Re: signature......

agree about the self sufficiency part but I take the view that i own a sailing boat. My safety lies in
a) keeping said boat afloat and in one undamaged piece
b) being able to SAIL said boat to pretty much anywhere i choose that has sufficient water
c) being able to stop it and secure it to seabed/pontoon under sail.

If my engine fails then its inconvenient i agree but i can at least sail into a safe harbour and pick up buoy till i can get an enginner out.

If my gps packs up i can still nav by compass, dr, ep, running fixes etc if i have to. ( not done one of those since YM theory a few years ago but still remember how)

A round trip for me to the marina is 3 hours - add in time to unload the car - get to boat and back again and round trip time is 4 hours. I work 12-8 on mon-wed so that rules out going to the boat those days for those little jobs.

SO given the choice between losing a few hours of my precious weekend or paying someone £100 in labour to service the engine i'd rather pay the money.

I agree it would be better if i was able to strip down every single item on the boat with just an elastoplast and rusty nail and repair it but by making sure that the essentials work and are replaceable/fixable i don;t believe the risk i am taking is unreasonable.

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