Not fitting in

[Wansworth]

I'm spoilt with my choice of vessel - Island Packets are noted for their interior volume, storage space and comfort.

As First Mate and I age, it is becoming apparent that our lovely SP Cruiser will have to go for something smaller in a few years.

Sailing her and living aboard is fine, but the required maintenance is becoming a chore. Got the injector pump off at the moment. I hate to think what a Marine Engineer would charge for :- Remove pump and injectors, send for test/overhaul as required, refit and test. 3-5K I imagine. Most would want to fit a new engine at 20K.

It has taken me seven hours so far, and the bits are only at the diesel specialist. The positions I had to twist my body into to remove the unit, the aches afterwards and the arthritic right wrist is giving me severe gip. I have to clean the engine bay, remove each mount in turn, re-paint if re usable, change if defective, paint the water pump, various brackets and the injector pump mountings. All are suffering a little 'pox' from old age. I do like a clean engine...........................

If we have to pay yard bills we cant afford to keep her. DIY makes her affordable but the writing is on the wall. Not all have my skills or experience, so I am in a fortunate position as far as that goes.

Shame, but that is life.

You reading this Wansworth? The reality of boat ownership if used heavily.

Oh - I also have to dismantle the halyard swivel from the Harken furler. It has become tight on all of the foils. I asked on here but no reply from others who have experienced the problem. I suspect it has a plastic liner which has swollen through being hygroscopic.

The joys of sailing...................................................

Yes message loud and clear,why do you think I am so hesitant at taking onthe mantle of boat ownership

 

[Daydream believer]

no matter what you buy it starts to shrink immediately on purchase ?

Said the man to the lady on the street corner

 

[westernman]

I hate tall people on my boat...you’re always having to warn them...and it’s like it’s your fault every time they smash their head

I am tall. My mate is short. My mate keeps bashing his head on deck beams etc.
I don't, I know I have to f***ing duck all the time. He doesn't as he is never had to do that anywhere else ever before.

 

[Daydream believer]

Said the man to the lady on the street corner

I was talking about "T" shirts you devious lot

 

[Wansworth]

I am tall. My mate is short. My mate keeps bashing his head on deck beams etc.
I don't, I know I have to f***ing duck all the time. He doesn't as he is never had to do that anywhere else ever before.

Wearing a crash helmet is all the rage these days…..

 

[LittleSister]

Wearing a crash helmet is all the rage these days…..

But you're all lying!

Musto used to produce a sailing cap (baseball cap style) with a polystyrene scalp protector in it. It's apparently out of production because nobody ever hit their head on a boat.

Note that we need to avoid giving Wansworth the impression there are any downsides to boat ownership, otherwise he'll get cold feet (and boy are they cold already!) and delay getting a boat for yet another year. Think of the poor man, denied yet longer his true destiny, and missing out on all that soothing of his soul from wafting around the rias in the sunshine, master of his very own ship.

More to the point, think of us, having to continue putting up with his dithering with no end in sight!

 

[Bouba]

But you're all lying!

Musto used to produce a sailing cap (baseball cap style) with a polystyrene scalp protector in it. It's apparently out of production because nobody ever hit their head on a boat.

Note that we need to avoid giving Wansworth the impression there are any downsides to boat ownership, otherwise he'll get cold feet (and boy are they cold already!) and delay getting a boat for yet another year. Think of the poor man, denied yet longer his true destiny, and missing out on all that soothing of his soul from wafting around the rias in the sunshine, master of his very own ship.

More to the point, think of us, having to continue putting up with his dithering with no end in sight!

One day we have to call a forum meeting to decide once and for all if Wansworth is a lost cause

 

[Poignard]

But you're all lying!

Musto used to produce a sailing cap (baseball cap style) with a polystyrene scalp protector in it. It's apparently out of production because nobody ever hit their head on a boat.

[...]

I have one.

It also has a flap to cover the ears and back of neck which is very useful in cold weather.

 

[Wansworth]

One day we have to call a forum meeting to decide once and for all if Wansworth is a lost cause

I’ll move to the gardening section

 

[Bouba]

I’ll move to the gardening section

I don’t want to give up on you …but I have to think of the others

 

[Wansworth]

I don’t want to give up on you …but I have to think of the others

until I have resolved the question I am now involved in collecting and cutting up firewood aka Alaska the last frontier…but your concern is noted

 

[Blueboatman]

Ah yes
The old lost keys/lamp post adage ..

Why are you looking over here if you can’t find what you lost over there?

Because this is where the light is …..

Have we all been there at one time or other ?? N\C

 

[justanothersailboat]

The happy medium between "boats that are not big enough" (for facilities, headroom, stretching out sleeping, and easily carrying everything you'd ever want to bring with you) and "boats that are too big" (starting to be tricky to handle on your own, and expensive to keep) is... probably zero. The two problem categories overlap. So buy a too small boat or too big boat as wallet and sailing opportunities permit, and enjoy it, and don't waste time wishing it was the other kind. I notice, though, that huge boats seem to get out less.

I am short, have enough cabin headroom and bunk length, and I still hit my head every time I visit my boat on the bulkhead doorway between the saloon and the heads/hanging locker. So there is no helping some people. The cumulative effects of this may have impaired the quality of my advice but how would I know?

 

[Mister E]

Maybe Wansworth could get boobs to tow his purchase to where he wants it.
That would give him a lot more boats to choose from.

 

[Bouba]

Maybe Wansworth could get boobs to tow his purchase to where he wants it.
That would give him a lot more boats to choose from.

Towing Wansy to the boat would be far more productive

 

[shan]

Beneteau First 26 at Hendaye - Bénéteau first 26

(Shan had one, but don't let that put you off! )

Great little boats, you cheeky sod.