DIY

[steveeasy]

Have pretty much done everything I can other than a structural repair 2 years ago.

However I recently used an engineer to fit new batteries and winterise part of engine. To my utter surprise the charge was very very reasonable. Id rather pay a contractor to do things so I could just turn up and enjoy the boat as never enough time. But hey. It’s all part of the fun.
Steveeasy

 

[john_morris_uk]

I’ve just realised that I also paid to have someone do the headlinings. (An ex Westerly headlining man whose ability to cuss and swear is legendary.). I also pay to have the bottom grit blasted etc when necessary.

Apart from those I do most everything else including engine changes and complete engine rebuilds. (We’ve now got a new Beta so hopefully no rebuilds now necessary!)

 

[Stemar]

I’m happy to tackle almost anything, upholstery, glass work, wood work, rigging, engine rebuilds, plumbing, electrics, cabinetry, metal work. Anything i don’t need super special tools for.

The only job I would like to have outsourced is replacing the headlining in the heads. The previously replaced headlining suffered with plasticiser migration turning the glue back to goo over the summer. It took 5 weekends to get it cleaned back to bare grp, then the process of working out the best way to recover it, first with foam before getting to the vinyl. It has so many curves, lumps and bumps arghh! Three months (of weekends) into what I thought would be one at the most and we are about ready to tackle the vinyl.

View attachment 187119

Which is why our head's headliner was replaced with several coats of anti-condensation paint. A bit spartan, but clean and easy to freshen up when needed.

I'd be very happy to have someone do all those jobs that always seem to need doing, so all I have to do is check the wine stock, start the engine and cast off, so if anyone has those 6 little numbers for the next draw and is feeling generous...

 

[William_H]

Over 45 years of my little boat I have done most jobs myself. It has a trailer and mast is no problem. I have had new suits of sails made stay wires fabricated and 3 times new masts fabricated. (insurance job) also had rudder pintle reworked (welding) a while back. So mostly I just potter around at home with boat in drive each winter.
Windows, upholstery painting GRP repairs etc no problem, well not necessarily perfect but OK.
I used to do all my car repairs also but this last year have handed it over twice for repairs. I seem to be getting too old. ol'will

 

[Wansworth]

My late FIL literally couldn’t knock a nail in straight,he was Spanish and although from a family of four brothers all practical he being the last had run clean out of practicality so he employed people todo everything,cutting grass painting building work car maintenance et but to compensate for this he seemed to get pleasure from witnessing the work he paid for getting done.He liked technology and was the first to get a car in the village and a TV.He just couldn’t fix things.

 

[steveeasy]

I’ve always thought anyone can pretty much do anything when there is a will. Well within reason, I’ll never get my head around electronics.
I’d originally assumed the more affluent one was, the less able one is to carry out practical chores but that clearly was a myth. Clearly evident here 99 % of members have a very high level knowledge and skills learnt either by being passed on by family or aquired thru industry and the desire to use such skills has lead to a pathway in to sailing. There is far more to sailing than just bobbing about on a sunny day.
A true sailor has all the skills at hand and those that don’t really are fair weather short term wannabes.
Steveeasy

 

[justanothersailboat]

Some selection bias in the answers here I think: this is the "practical boat owner" forum and some very hands-on people spoke up early. Other threads on this forum talk about the cost of getting work done and the difficulty of overhauling a whole boat yourself, which tells me that even here not everyone is an omni-skilled DIY god(...dess). In the wider world of sailing, really not.

I think I am much more DIY than nearly everyone I meet. I've done a lot on my boat. But I still wouldn't claim to do "everything" - there's too big an "everything" for me to tackle on my own. I like knowledgeable help and am prepared to pay handsomely for it. Unfortunately, my record with hiring alleged professionals is not fantastic...

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Some selection bias in the answers here I think: this is the "practical boat owner" forum and some very hands-on people spoke up early. Other threads on this forum talk about the cost of getting work done and the difficulty of overhauling a whole boat yourself, which tells me that even here not everyone is an omni-skilled DIY god(...dess). In the wider world of sailing, really not.

I think I am much more DIY than nearly everyone I meet. I've done a lot on my boat. But I still wouldn't claim to do "everything" - there's too big an "everything" for me to tackle on my own. I like knowledgeable help and am prepared to pay handsomely for it. Unfortunately, my record with hiring alleged professionals is not fantastic...

Anno Domini also comes into it. I have done many DIY tasks in the past that I would not do these days, because of decreasing physical ability and shifts in my ability to pay!

 

[justanothersailboat]

There is that. I'm still a very DIY sort of age

 

[johnalison]

Anno Domini also comes into it. I have done many DIY tasks in the past that I would not do these days, because of decreasing physical ability and shifts in my ability to pay!

I’m sorry to hear that - I was relying on the hope of asking you across to deal with one of my issues.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I’m sorry to hear that - I was relying on the hope of asking you across to deal with one of my issues.

Glad to lend a hand - I've also got a job to do that requires an extra hand. But not sure when; I'll PM you.

 

[JOHNPEET]

I completed the whole of my build project myself, apart from a very few occasions where I called upon a friend or family member to give me a hand. As a result of this, obviously I know every pipe, wire and bracket on that boat - inside out!
At this point in time, that is still the case. But who knows how this may change in the future as I get older and less able.
If I do start to begin using paid labour, I will have to overcome my complete inability to cope with others working on the boat first!

 

[mrming]

I’ll have a go at many things. I’m on my second 1980s boat and there’s always plenty to do.

Things I’ve paid people for include:
- Major engine overhaul
- Grit blasting off old antifoul
- Making sails
- Swaging rigging wire
- Making sprayhood / sail covers
- Gas plumbing
- Fitting a fridge compressor to a cool box (including bending the plate to fit)

I’ve become reasonably competent with 12v electrics, and (with the help of this forum), also partially refitted our electronics. I’m pretty handy at sail handling systems, deck hardware etc. I’m gradually learning to service the engine. Where I sail you could probably get by paying people to do everything, but there are no coordinated yard services so it’s a matter of finding a contractor for each job type. Some types of skill are available and reliable, others are almost impossible to find.

 

[pandos]

Which boaty jobs would you tackle yourself - and which would have you reaching for a pro ( if you could find one)

I tackle almost all jobs myself both on my boat and in my cars...This came about through being skint, (at one stage) But now I really like the idea of doing the work myself...even though I make bo boos through lack of deep knowledge about some things.

A nightmare to me is being reliant on professionals in the marine industry...even though I have come across some gems, I have also come across some right chancers who have worked on friends boats.

I still have not figured out what was done, by a marine expert to the electrical system on my new to me boat.

Neither can I fathom what was in the mind of the professional who did the toilet system.

Maybe we should have a confessional thread listing the mistakes that we as DIYers have made, due an excess of enthusiasm over knowledge.

 

[justanothersailboat]

...let me guess MrMing, are you an East Coaster?

 

[mrming]

...let me guess MrMing, are you an East Coaster?

Yes indeed. Kent, specifically.

 

[doug748]

One item I can't fathom are yards that apparently don't let you work on your own boat. I have heard this reported before, not just on this thread.

Won't let you work on your own boat. Is it a wind up?

.

 

[colind3782]

One item I can't fathom are yards that apparently don't let you work on your own boat. I have heard this reported before, not just on this thread.

Won't let you work on your own boat. Is it a wind up?

.

No wind up. The Port Nautic yard in Empuriabrava won't let you do anything except antifoul on your own boat. Anything else has to be done by their staff or an "approved by the yard" contractor.

 

[doug748]

No wind up. The Port Nautic yard in Empuriabrava won't let you do anything except antifoul on your own boat. Anything else has to be done by their staff or an "approved by the yard" contractor.

It's an odd world. How do they police it, I can imagine people smuggling in tools under a long overcoat.

I have heard of this in the UK as well, can anyone confirm this? We should compile a list of these places so they can be avoided. Maybe I should start a new thread later.

.

 

[mrming]

It's an odd world. How do they police it, I can imagine people smuggling in tools under a long overcoat.

I have heard of this in the UK as well, can anyone confirm this? We should compile a list of these places so they can be avoided. Maybe I should start a new thread later.

.

I cannot think of a single “yard” in the UK who could organise for their own staff or approved contractors to do a piece of work in a timely fashion, so I imagine this kind of system wouldn’t last long.