Getting cold feet about boat ownership....

[beancounter]

After a couple of days of broker visits, the doubts are creeping in. Not about the costs (tho' I try not to look at my calculations of running costs) or about our ability to sail the thing (we are confident of becoming only moderately dangerous to other water users...)

No, its about maintaining the boat. All you good folks on S'butt exude an image of competent practicality that scares me. Electrickery is a mystery to me (I thought a dry joint was a place where you couldn't buy alcohol), and carpentry is not much better (my old woodwork master called me a "wood-butcher"). As for that thing under the companionway steps that goes "chug-chug"......

I daren't look on the PBO forum. It seems full of posts like " Ah, yes, thats a known problem with the Omnibombulator MkV. Just release the queech valve - if it's tight a half inch naggler will do the job - and reverse the flow, then Robert is your avuncular relation". At least, I think thats what it said /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

So help me guys & gals -

a) Am I worrying needlessly, and the knowledge will seep into my brain by some form of osmosis?

b) Will I aquire a close relationship with the boatyard, and a less close relationship with my money?

c) Should I get my daughter to marry a diesel fitter?

d) Is stamp collecting a socially acceptable pastime instead?

 

[Stingo]

a + b + c are all correct

 

[Evadne]

a) I wouldn't call it osmosis, which is a slow, painless and predictable process, but when the engine won't go and you're miles from anywhere you'll learn how to read a manual and bleed a diesel just like the rest of us did. It is perfectly acceptable to do a headless chicken imitation when things go wrong, as long as you stop and fix them afterwards.

b) Yes. A boat is a fibre-glass lined hole in the water into which you pour money. But you already knew that.

c) Good idea! Maybe I should get myself a daughter to save money....

d) Only if you sail to the countries to buy the stamps in person.

 

[jema]

same boat...so to speak - bean counter

many years sailing, on someone elses toys (read- if it really goes wrong -their chequebook)
have worked as delivery skipper & used to be called boat nigger (what is the politically correct term now ?)
now just on edge of yacht purchase, but terrified, dont know why...being silly

never had anything too insurmoutable break, we couldnt fix with a good dose of common sense, gaffer tape, tools & sticky back plastic

never damaged any people or other boats....

i think we all get nerves,

if you havent already go on a engine maintenance course, have a good chat with a marine surveyor re what to look for, spend sometime crawling round a boat yard at weekend seeing what maintenance others are up to, books ..read up
work out how much time per year you can put in regular maintenance - remember jobs allways take twice the time you imagine

think of the pleasure..

 

[FlyingDutchman]

You're right: Don't buy a boat that has the Omnibombulator MkV. It is absolutely no good. The queech valves keep glubbing even with the half inch naggler. Overtboard with the whole contraption!

Serious: If you are not handy in DIY it will substantially add to the cost of boating and, IMHO, to the fun of having a boat!

 

[dulcibella]

Most of us needed professional rescue from simple home DIY until we started sailing and gradually developed fix-it knowledge and confidence. Don' t let this put you off a great activity. You'll find that the professionals are mostly generous with advice provided you choose your moment and ask nicely.

 

[BobOwen]

I think its similar to car ownership. If your of a practical bent you can certainly carry out an awful lot of work to your car and save a fortune.

If not, then you have to accept the cost of having someone else do it. It also means of course, you don't really know what they're talking about when they tell you your grimmlin pins are shot.

Its been my own experience that those of us who have careers that do not encompass practical work of any sort, do struggle with DIY maintenance. Much the same as the diesel mechanic struggles with his accounting - thats why he pays someone to do it for him.

I tend to the opinion that experience does not filter down so much, without some understanding of the subject to start with. But on a brighter note, theres no reason why you can't tackle small "projects" and build on that. The secret is knowing what your likely to be succesful at, or not.
And having the right tools - if theres any secret to any job, thats it! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Sans Bateau]

I suspect there is'nt one of us who hasn't at some time or another sat in our pride and joy, head in hands, saying "how the hell will I fix this?!".

Don't look for reasons why not to buy a boat, look for the reasons why you should. I bet its not cold feet at all, its the excitment at the thought of becoming a boat owner.

Stamp collecting? You may as well give up the will to live right now!

 

[CharlesM]

seriously - I think you will flip flop along these emotions. I know I did for the few years I was searching.

I have just taken the plunge, and this weekend slumped into heavy depression..... 'have I bitten off more than I can chew'... etc.

pleased to say I have managed to give it the slip and the excitement is comming back.

Its only money after all... live the dream rather than grow old and say 'I nearly brought a boat once'

I am banking that what I dont know I can learn. I can read a book after all, and there are lots of good manuals. (reading up on boat electrics at the moment...)

and anyway, if it all goes breasts-up I can sell... am prepared to make 5k loss in order to give the dream a chance.

Charles

 

[Rowana]

Maintenance is easy! There's only 2 things to remember -

1 If it doesn't move, and it should, spray it with WD40

2 If it moves, and it shouldn't, wrap it in duck tape.

Told you it was easy, init?
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Rowana]

Another piece of useful advice . . .

. . . if it moves, oil it. If it doesnt move, paint it.

And if it moves when you paint it, salute it . . .

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[alex_rogers]

There also won't be many of us who haven't sat in our pride and joy, head in hands, saying "why the hell did I take that apart!?".

 

[aitchw]

There's only one question you need to answer.

Do you really want your own boat?

The rest is irrelevant right now.

Anyway, there's always the YBW Oracle to consult. These forums will get you an answer to any boat related issue you could think of and more.

So, do you really want a boat?

Easy isn't it.

 

[Mirelle]

Well, I know just how you feel.

I landed myself with a boat that I could not afford to buy, let alone maintain, and aboard which almost everything needed replacement, immediately before being posted to the other side of the world. I am hopelessly impractical and I am fairly hopeless with anything mechanical.

We've been together now for twenty years, and I am starting to get the hang of some of it!

NB your items (a), (b) and (c) are all correct, but espescially (b)!

 

[blackbeard]

For years I have belonged, and still belong, to a club which runs a beautiful old classic yacht. Recommended way of learning about boats where there always seem to be plenty of helpful people around, and yard bills can be divided by about 200 when calculating your share.

More recently I have actually acquired a small yacht of my very own. I can even, sometimes, find a day or two to actually sail it, now that I have retired ...

 

[Talbot]

There are four other essential items that you have forgotten:

Araldite
Sikaflex
Big adjustable spanner
Screwdrivers

With these and duct tape and WD40 just about anything can be fixed or frightened into working.

 

[ParaHandy]

Re: Getting cold feet about wooden boat ownership ....

but, when all else has failed, burning it to keep the feet warm and, if you're quick, feed yourself from the critters legging out the woodwork ... !!

 

[AlexL]

well, I'm a fairly practical chap, so have no worries in the DIY department, ooh er missus. But I am short of spare time so have approached the same issue from a different direction. My solution- buy a new or newish boat which is in pretty good nick, its not going to mean you don't have to do anything but it will seriously minimise your DIY input. The joys of boat ownership outweigh the other problems anyway, so don't worry too much.
Most other boat owners on your pontoon in your marina will be more than happy to lend a hand, and advice, when they see you taking the queech valves out of your Omnibombulator and looking distraut at the results.
When you have those lazy days on the boat, or the weather is too bad to go anywhere, spend this time poking around the boat, familiarizing yourself with all the widgets and whotsits.
The RYA do a quite reasonable 1 day Diesel engine maintenance course, and I'm sure any reasonable sailing school who run that course would be more than happy to give you some time on your own boat going through all the other maintenance which is likely to be required.

 

[StugeronSteve]

Re: Be very careful....

The last time I got me omnibombulator out on the pontoon I was bound over to keep the peace and fined five pounds

 

[beancounter]

Adjustable spanners

I've taken a step in the right direction then...

Yesterday we cleared a few things out of the garage of my wife's late uncle, who worked in the car industry all his life.
I'm now in possession of a b*****y great adjustable spanner, 1940's vintage, stamped "Vauxhall".
The start of my boat tool kit....