Boat without much repairs needed- is there such a thing?

There were days not to long ago that relatively modest boats all had a retained paid hand for a few hours, who would check over the engine, clean everything, and scrub the bottom of the boat on a Thursday so that when the owner came on the Saturday it was already warmed up, provisioned and ready to go. Probably many still do. At least one local yard can provide this service, or you can pay someone directly giving them work which is good, helps sustain the local community. I remember polishing the brass for one.

The dry stack yards and 'park and rides' do a similar service including fresh water run of the engine after each use, and when you think about it are not expensive, are comparable with a marina berth, and save a lot of time and worry.

One of these options may be the answer.

Cost wise, it's just part of the nominal 10% of the purchase price when new.
 
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Egret said:
Sailing boat. No engine. No critical electrics. Mooring that you can sail from and onto at any state of tide. Water Taxi. Thorough check over by yard and rigger each spring.

Burnham is or was a good example - boats of 40 ft and more sailed on and off moorings in a big fleet of all sizes - no problem - just use a little bit of sail to start with.
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I realise that raggies like to pretend they aren't motorboats when they aren't using their sails, but how many sailing boats don't have an engine? I think you might actually be describing a dinghy.
 
Grubble said:
I realise that raggies like to pretend they aren't motorboats when they aren't using their sails, but how many sailing boats don't have an engine? I think you might actually be describing a dinghy.
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Its a disappearing format - agreed.

But there are still a number of sailboats without engines. And not just dinghys.

You would be surprised at how much you can maneuver a sailboat without engine .... you learn how to use 'springs' ... tide / current flow ... backing sails / scandalising mains ... anchor use etc.
 
Refueler said:
Its a disappearing format - agreed.

But there are still a number of sailboats without engines. And not just dinghys.

You would be surprised at how much you can maneuver a sailboat without engine .... you learn how to use 'springs' ... tide / current flow ... backing sails / scandalising mains ... anchor use etc.
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Well nothing surprises me when it comes to raggies making their lives harder just to avoid spending a few pence on fuel.
 
Egret said:
Sailing boat. No engine. No critical electrics. Mooring that you can sail from and onto at any state of tide. Water Taxi. Thorough check over by yard and rigger each spring.
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I don’t think that solves the problem! My inboard engine has never given me any in season hassle (touch wood). But rigging and sails wear and the more you use them the greater that risk. Winches, clutches, windlasses, steering can all develop faults…
 
Grubble said:
Well nothing surprises me when it comes to raggies making their lives harder just to avoid spending a few pence on fuel.
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Constructing the dynamic and often complex set of vectors and forces of wind and tide in your head required to successfully manoeuvre a yacht under sail alone isn't about saving a few pence on fuel, it's about elevating boat handling skills to a level of competence and ability that your comment suggests to me you're some way short of comprehending.

And anyhow, if twenty quids worth of diesel lasts all season what on earth difference will an eggcup full more or less make?
 
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I wish I could add something of value here.....unfortunately if you are not fixing it, you are researching it, tracking down parts and mostly....worrying about it.
But these are the things you can do to save time.....
1) buy new....get three, maybe four problem free years
2) save half your maintenance time and effort...by not cleaning it
3) learn as much as you can, have as many skills as possible....because it’s what you don’t know that will break first
4) most of all...post your trials and tribulations here...so we can laugh at you
 
Bouba said:
I wish I could add something of value here.....unfortunately if you are not fixing it, you are researching it, tracking down parts and mostly....worrying about it.
But these are the things you can do to save time.....
1) buy new....get three, maybe four problem free years
2) save half your maintenance time and effort...by not cleaning it
3) learn as much as you can, have as many skills as possible....because it’s what you don’t know that will break first
4) most of all...post your trials and tribulations here...so we can laugh at you
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I can tell you from personal experience that item 1 is definitely not a reliable suggestion.
 
Bouba said:
I wish I could add something of value here.....unfortunately if you are not fixing it, you are researching it, tracking down parts and mostly....worrying about it.
But these are the things you can do to save time.....
1) buy new....get three, maybe four problem free years
2) save half your maintenance time and effort...by not cleaning it
3) learn as much as you can, have as many skills as possible....because it’s what you don’t know that will break first
4) most of all...post your trials and tribulations here...so we can laugh at you
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Number 3 is quite relevant.
Could also add
5) something may fail if you don't have the tools on board to repair it.
For me this normally means that they are at home in the garage !
 
Sailing steve said:
Constructing the dynamic and often complex set of vectors and forces of wind and tide in your head required to successfully manoeuvre a yacht under sail alone isn't about saving a few pence on fuel, it's about elevating boat handling skills to a level of competence and ability that your comment suggests to me you're some way short of comprehending.

And anyhow, if twenty quids worth of diesel lasts all season what on earth difference will an eggcup full more or less make?
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True, my boat is safely tied up and I'm in the bar, while you are still elevating your boat handling skills in the freezing cold horizontal rain.
 
I all ways have a big list of things that are requiring attention, as you are are using the boat more than you spend fixing it,that's a good thing!
 
In a word no.

I do 90% of my own maintainance.

I make sure over winter the works are done and if it is broken I fix it so we start the season with a clean slate.

I carry lots of spares and general bits ( wire / hoses / tools etc) which means that most stuff can be fixed as it goes wrong and keep the summer going without issue.

In my experience ( 20 plus years now) it is the accessories that go wrong not the major oily bits.

I have had new boats and old. I would not say there is any material difference in the overall rate of failure.

Lack of use kills anything that moves - winches / pumps / fans so keep stuff moving.

Water makers and ice makers always cause issues so if you can avoid them do.

The more kit generally the more to go wrong but in the med you need ac. You need a galley. I have a gyro so that needs a generator etc etc etc.

So if you can live with it go simple.
 
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