Planning boat jobs

[MattS]

New year, new set of boat jobs to get done, so a question about starting my boat year as I mean to go on…

How do other practical boat owners plan their boat work?

I find myself juggling a long list of things I want to get done, all with various dependencies, parts, and sequencing - and I’ve not yet find a good way of organising my thoughts into something productive.

Interested in how more seasoned practical boat owners get themselves organised? Do you plan your jobs out in a helpful way?

Tools, techniques, mantras all welcome!

 

[mrming]

I have a Google sheet for the boat, with different tabs for jobs, parts ordering and inventory. On the jobs tab, tasks are listed in priority order, grouped where it makes sense, with some additional info on what they are, how long they might take and what might need to be purchased in order to do the work.

I’ll occasionally move completed jobs to an archive tab, so I still have a record but it doesn’t clutter up the main list. Side point, but I find the inventory sheet particularly useful as I list roughly where in the boat I’ve placed an item. This is great for preventing me from ordering stuff I already have.

 

[searocket]

I use Trello (trello.com) which is a list based project planning board. Runs on a mobile app which will continue to work when offline or a browser on a PC (online only)

 

[jac]

I use Microsoft Notes which allows me to have to do lists but to also include other files ( a bit of excel, links to web pages for parts, PDF etc)

Then tend to tackle the ones that i actually fancy and can afford to do! I take the view that unless it's safety related, tackling a job that i really would prefer to do another time makes sense - it's all supposed to be for fun

 

[Graham376]

I just use a note pad, adding jobs as I remember. We usually haul out for 4-6 weeks every January and I initially concentrate on the jobs which must be completed before floating and can't be done when afloat. Then just work through the list as time and weather allow.

 

[pandos]

I am completely disorganized. I cannot concentrate on one job at a time. I have given up trying to.

So instead of trying to organize myself I just go at several jobs in no logical order.

At the moment my keel is out and requires work, my mast is down and needs work, as does my engine and toilet system. I have lots of electronics to wire up and fit also.

So instead of beating myself up about not being organized I will do a little of each job, then move on to another and do a little of that, whilst working on one I will be thinking about solutions to problems in others...so I always make the trip to the boat worthwhile (it's 100ml round trip)

I occasionally make lists on my phone which I never actually consult...

 

[ylop]

How do other practical boat owners plan their boat work?

Well… I look at a job and thing “that shouldn’t take more than 10-15 minutes” so allow myself 30-60 minutes because everything on a boat always takes longer than expected. I then spend an entire day doing the job. Sometimes then planning to spend another day at some point in the future “fixing it properly” or “upgrade it so it’s easier next time”.

 

[st599]

Something Kanban based, like Trello sounds like it could do what you want.

The other thing you could look at is something like the issues tracker on GitHub which allows you to add interdepencies.

 

[Neeves]

You need to keep up with the maintenance, its part of 'owning a yacht' -or you will need to start a thread like this one

Jonathan

 

[Petertheking1982]

I use excel. Normally based around 3 lists, safety critical jobs (ie need to be done asap), Improvement upgrades (would improve functionality / usability/ comfort significantly), and luxury upgrades (might do eventually). These lists are grouped according to type of work (eg engine, electrics, grp ect) then descending according to priority. On the list I forecast rough costs for each job which helps me plan the years budget and what I will / will not be able to afford, and mark off when parts are ordered.

When actually choosing a job to do safety crital will be prioritised then will be dependant on parts and weather. Winter normally inside jobs, summer outside jobs (when not sailing).

 

[Boathook]

I am completely disorganized. I cannot concentrate on one job at a time. I have given up trying to.

So instead of trying to organize myself I just go at several jobs in no logical order.

At the moment my keel is out and requires work, my mast is down and needs work, as does my engine and toilet system. I have lots of electronics to wire up and fit also.

So instead of beating myself up about not being organized I will do a little of each job, then move on to another and do a little of that, whilst working on one I will be thinking about solutions to problems in others...so I always make the trip to the boat worthwhile (it's 100ml round trip)

I occasionally make lists on my phone which I never actually consult...

I've got 100 miles each way. I try to do one job at a time when visiting but I make sure that I have tools, etc for another job if the first one goes wrong.

I don't bother with lists now, but anything likely to stop me sailing is a priority job. Most jobs can be done afloat I've found over the years.

 

[Sandy]

I use a 2B pencil and a notebook.

 

[Stemar]

As a computer geek, I tend towards IT solutions, and project management software is designed to help you organise milestones (jobs) and dependencies. I'd have a play with these to see which one you like: https://project-management.com/free-project-management-software-tools/

 

[scozzy]

Things that MUST be done
Things that should be done
Things I'd like to do

In that order every winter

 

[Sandy]

As a computer geek, I tend towards IT solutions, and project management software is designed to help you organise milestones (jobs) and dependencies. I'd have a play with these to see which one you like: https://project-management.com/free-project-management-software-tools/

Had a chuckle there, used a few of those when I was in full time work. All never quite did the job we needed them to do, but the funniest thing was clicking on the 'FREE' link for Notion you get dialog box "Start Your Free Trial".

 

[dansaskip]

Like others I use a notebook and 2b pencil. Sits on the chart table when I am on the boat - very handy for jotting things down as they come to you or as you discover them in the middle of some other task and even works when your hands are dirty or oily. Goes home with me so can elaborate, research solutions, order bits as necessary and provides a useful record over the years. No computer, tablet or phone required.

 

[Stemar]

Had a chuckle there, used a few of those when I was in full time work. All never quite did the job we needed them to do, but the funniest thing was clicking on the 'FREE' link for Notion you get dialog box "Start Your Free Trial".

With software - even (especially?) the stuff that costs gazillions, it always seems to be a case of looking for the one that's the closest match to my needs, and annoys me the least. The one I'll delete straight away is the one that's advertised as free, but that is only free for a month and the trial version doesn't allow you to do anything useful.

 

[Muddy32]

Notebook is added to and crossed out, although it is not on the boat but in the kitchen and taken to bedside table at night.
If only to annoy SWMBO who seems to read until 0100! Periodically it is all crossed out and a new list made. - It has a sub heading for things needed to buy.

 

[Moodysailor]

Our case is a bit different as we are refitting a boat, so the list is very looong....
Currently using a combination of Trello, Samsung notes (on the tablet) and Excel. Haven't found one tool that does it all, but OneNote could be good if I get around to setting it up the way I would want it.
I think an important factor is to figure out how you want to work - some people like to tackle one task at a time and see it through before moving on, others like to work on multiple jobs at once.
It suits my preference to be latter for a number of reasons - especially in the winter, also becasue it's a refit and the are multiple systems involved, to help spread the budget, and importantly to ease the boredom and keep it fun i'm working on multiple projects in phases. In the engine bay I am working on the fuel system, fibreglass beds, wiring and bilge pumps at the same time. At the nav station it's DC and AC wiring, headliner and lighting - etc, etc. We have projects for wiring, instrumentation, systems & equipment, steering, uphplstery, fibreglass, paint & varnish and fittings & fixings, so there is much to do.

 

[Lightwave395]

I live on the IOW, my boat is in Plymouth
I have a lengthy list of jobs I need / want to do as an owner of an older boat
I now go down to my boat every other week armed with the necessary tools and materials to complete 3 or 4 of those as going down with the entire list I seem to sit looking at it all day drinking tea and wondering where to start