Enjoying Classic ownership

[Mukes]

I bought my first boat last year - a 1935 Johnson & Jago 4 Tonner. I had grave doubts about the sanity of buying such an aged vessel as my first experience of boat ownership, but with sage advise, some form here (thanks Mirelle), I took the plunge and hoped not to live to regret it.

Other than a short delivery trip, I have yet to sail her as she has been ashore for the Winter, but I have already thoroughly enjoyed myself completing and inevitably adding to, the list of jobs to be done. I have really suprised myslef as I am actually enjoying the "doing" instead of just enjoying the "completing" which I normally find with DIY jobs around the house.

Will this flush of enthusiasm be short lived I wonder? Are the more experienced Classic Forumites reading this and identifying with my pleasure as a passed or still present sentiment? Or have I discovered a very deep and troubling flaw in my character in that I am obtaining such satisfaction from simple and monotonous tasks as sanding and varnishing?

 

[Wansworth]

Theres great fun and enjoyment had from these works,some prefer this actually sailing,but just sitting in the cockpit fiddling about beats home improvements hands down!!

 

[Mirelle]

Still a present sentiment!

I honestly think that people who don't do this are missing part of the fun!

 

[Mukes]

One troubling aspect when comparing with home DIY however is that Mrs Mukes has now witnessed my increased productivity when boaty things are concerned and has developed a bizarre expectation that such a rate of output will be attained around the house.

 

[Kristal]

If you're really enjoying the sanding and varnishing, I've got a bit you can do if you fancy it... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I think most people will agree that, in most cases, the doing is at least as enjoyable as the completing. For financial reasons, Crystal will probably spend this summer ashore, hopefully within walking distance of my house. I'm actually looking forward to catching up with the maintenance - I won't have time or money for sailing this year, so to have her looking pretty for 2007 is my biggest priority, and I can't wait to get on with it...

 

[Mirelle]

You are not alone!

 

[miket]

Its why we love the ladies so much. They can be so delightfully naive!!

 

[Kristal]

Yes, honey, I\'m going sailing...

I've just had the conversation that goes "No, honey, we can't wait until your days off... you see, the tide... no, of course I want you to come, it's just the tide..."

 

[Porthandbuoy]

[ QUOTE ]
One troubling aspect when comparing with home DIY however is that Mrs Mukes has now witnessed my increased productivity when boaty things are concerned and has developed a bizarre expectation that such a rate of output will be attained around the house.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have exactly the same problem. SWMBO's solution is to employ skilled artisans to do the DIY jobs around the house. It's a double whammy on the pocket, but I no longer feel guilty about leaving all the domestic DIY till "later".

 

[Mirelle]

I am training SWMBO to do them herself. This, er, gives her an added interest and, er, allows her to be more productive when working on the boat...
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
(better if she were not to read this, espescially as she promised to scrape and varnish the dinghy spars today...) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Madeo]

Sorry to be the wet blanket, but after 8 years of wooden boats, I personally am more than ready for plastic...

The maintenance/cruising ratio of a wooden 'classic' sucks!

 

[Wansworth]

FB278 But what about the poetry,the oneness with a living thing,do you have no soul........!!!!!

 

[Madeo]

Ballcocks!

 

[Mukes]

Mogy - FB278 obviously has a soul hence the initial purchase but the continued maintenance has had a soul destroying effect. Hence my initial question - time will only tell in my case - but sadly at the moment I wish I was not in the office on the laptop but at the boatyard up to my pits in gunk and goo making the old girl beautiful. (I refer to the boat not Mrs Mukes.)

 

[Madeo]

To be fair, I did enjoy the first few years! The biggest problem is that after half an hour's sailing in a good force 4 - 5, the past few months of masochism are quickly forgotten. Am just embarking on another session of repairs and maintenance, then she's definitely up for grabs. And I mean definitely, this time...honest!
However, 'bon courage' - sounds like you've got a lovely boat...

 

[Peterduck]

Congratulations! If this is a flaw of character, then more people should have it. You will find that you will come to the point where you have her looking pristine, but the need [and it is not less than a need] to work for her continues. You now have two SWMBOs! So, you find things to make or presents to buy. At this stage, Boat Shows become a dreadful trap and a fearsome wallet-emptier. The third and most dreadful stage is where you have run out of things to buy, and you think "I need a bigger boat!" At this stage you'll need counselling by kindred souls such as Mirelle to help you resist this. Expect this to take many sessions at 'The Butt and Oyster' [or a similar establishment]. Ah yes, this is a condition which must be managed with care if you are to continue to enjoy it into old age.
Peter.

 

[trouville]

I think you should remember a wooden boat is still made to be sailed.Ive learnt not to see work that could or even should be done!

At the same time when im in port or at anchor i get on with things i see need doing and really enjoy it!I have seen many plastic boat owners that spend days simply siting in their cockpits after the first winter week wish thay had something to do!!

At that i wish i dident "have" to do but as the varnishing and paint is done any wooden boat looks far better than a plastic one and is far more confortable.And winter is for serviceing the boat.Even just two or three hours a day gets a great deal done