How long should a boating project take?

Concerto

Concerto

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 Jul 2014
Messages
6,611
Location
Pwllheli Marina, N Wales
Visit site
Following on from how long have you owned your boat thread, it got me thinking about those unfinished boating projects.

Back in 1987, I bought some YM plans for a plywood pram dinghy. The hull has been completed using the stitch and tape Mirror dinghy method, but not finally faired with filler. The gunnels are fitted. So basically all I need to do is some final tidying up ready for painting, fix the rowlocks and towing eye, maybe even a pair of small wheels on the skeg to move without a trolley. However I had misplaced the plans for where the rowlock blocks need to be fixed. I have everything to complete the build including oars. The dinghy has now been moved 3 times due to house moves, but thankfully during the last move I discovered the plans. So, perhaps I may finally complete this project in the next couple of years.

Anyone else have such long running boat projects?
 
When I was clearing my mother’s house in 2022 I found the frame of a model boat that I’d started building in about 1977.

It very nearly made the move to my workshop where it might have languished for my remaining years, but - in the end - wiser counsels prevailed.
 
If you're building a boat and its kept undercover then it might take years. Or decades. For those minor maintenance and improvement projects I like to get them started and finished in weeks or a few months. If I can take it home it progresses much faster, especially if many coats of varnish are needed. More maintenance oriented jobs are often frustrated by identifying the exact parts needed and waiting for them to be delivered.

The worse sort of jobs are those that are not immediately necessary and can get put off year after year. Like polishing the cabin sides or replacing engine hoses or washing the curtains.

Some of my more satisfying projects - pegs for the toilet, frames to hold navigation tablets and replacing the folding table with a fixed one.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20260205_175211_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20260205_175211_Gallery.jpg
    166.5 KB · Views: 9
  • Screenshot_20260205_175910_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20260205_175910_Gallery.jpg
    185.4 KB · Views: 9
  • Screenshot_20260205_174804_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20260205_174804_Gallery.jpg
    148.4 KB · Views: 8
  • Screenshot_20260205_174756_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20260205_174756_Gallery.jpg
    337.8 KB · Views: 9
Concerto said:
Following on from how long have you owned your boat thread, it got me thinking about those unfinished boating projects.

Back in 1987, I bought some YM plans for a plywood pram dinghy. The hull has been completed using the stitch and tape Mirror dinghy method, but not finally faired with filler. The gunnels are fitted. So basically all I need to do is some final tidying up ready for painting, fix the rowlocks and towing eye, maybe even a pair of small wheels on the skeg to move without a trolley. However I had misplaced the plans for where the rowlock blocks need to be fixed. I have everything to complete the build including oars. The dinghy has now been moved 3 times due to house moves, but thankfully during the last move I discovered the plans. So, perhaps I may finally complete this project in the next couple of years.

Anyone else have such long running boat projects?
Click to expand...
Ah, did you buy it as a Govt. project?
 
jamie N said:
Ah, did you buy it as a Govt. project?
Click to expand...
Typical government project for timescale but there was no incentive payment for completion.

It was actually I had just bought a brand new Feeling 286 and went sailing whenever I could in one of my busiest business trading years. Instead of using the pram dinghy to get to the mooring, I used an inflatable. Just got used to using the inflatable. Then it was too cold to finish the pram in the winter and just got left.
 
Stemar said:
I've half a dozen jobs waiting for my attention on Jazzcat. I'm waiting for it to stop bloody raining. I don't think we've had more than a couple of dry days in the last month, and the next week isn't looking any better.
Click to expand...
I've got to get the tabernacle off to reseal and see what is happening inthe GRP base. Really require about 3 dry days, then an action plan and possibly another 3 dry days to rebuild. Must be mild as well for the repair epoxy to cure ....
 
I've have 27 months remaining to complete the upgrades to my boat, after which we will be doing extended Med cruising ....

First 17 months I achieved the following ....

Removed all old instruments, VHF, Autopilot, Plotters, Wind/Depth/Speed/Radar including removing wiring.
Routed New NMEA Backbone
Routed New Raynet Network
Re-wired everything with tinned copper wire.
New Plotters (Helm + Chart Table)
Renovated Plotter Pod at helm
New Instruments (2 Multifunction Displays + Autopilot)
New Autopilot + EV1 Sensor
New Radar
New Sonar
New Speed/Temp/Depth Sensor
New Wind Instruments
New Anchor
New Windlass
New Bowsprit
New Furling Code Zero
New 2:1 Code Zero Halyard
New Main and Genoa + Halyards.
New Remote Control Unit for bathing platform
New Music System
New Solar Arch + 1,2kW Panels + 2 x MPPTs
New Outboard & Crane & Dinghy Davits
New Chart Table VHF + Remote at Helm
New AIS + Antenna + GPS Receiver
New 4G/WiFi Router + Antenna
New GPS Antenna
New Halyards
Replaced macerator in Electric Heads

Still to Do ...

2 x 48v Batteries (10kWh)
Fit Integrel E-Power 9kW Alternator + Control System
Fit new 5KVA Inverter
Fit new AC Wiring + Distribution Board + Sockets
Fit T-Class Power-In, BMS & Lynx Distributor
Fit 2 more MPPTs
Fit New Speakers in Cockpit
Fit New light controlled Anchor Light
Wire Backup VHF Antenna
Complete replacement of running rigging
New Standing Rigging
Watermaker
New LED Nav Lights.
Reseal skylight windows.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top