sprocker
Well-Known Member
+ another 1
Problems with Maintenence advice
- Thread starter Bigplumbs
- Start date
+ another 1
jrudge
Well-Known Member
There is a Choice fix on fail or prepare for the season and enjoy minimal issues.
We have all bought or seen boats maintained under the fix on fail regime. It tends to lead to a scrappy boat needing a lot spending on it to get it into shape.
Sure you can skip on anodes, extend service intervals, not bother toclean air con filters, not change impellers ( fes up her I do them every 2 years by choice ), accept temperature are a bit high, know that a few gauges don’t work but hey there is another on the lower helm, leave the dripping tap, don’t do valve clearances as no one will see and so on
However on day it comes home to roost. Either by a failure as the “ ok “water feed hose decides it is no longer ok or you sell it and face the choice of a long sales process and a big chip on price or the bill yourself to put it all from just about ok to acceptable to a buyer as their surveyor.
Most of us ( it’s a self segmenting group by and large ) like spending time prepping the boat and have a general aim that our cruising time is not interrupted by issues that were within our control.
The decision to use others I suspect is driven more by time and ability than anything else.
Money and good maintancne are not necessarily the same thing, but parts and so on cost and the consequence of failure range from a spoiled family holiday to a boat sinking depending on what happens.
You pay your money and take your choice ... and it is a personal choice.
Boats are not essentials. At any level they are luxuary toys and most people buy what they can reasonably afford to buy and run.
We have all bought or seen boats maintained under the fix on fail regime. It tends to lead to a scrappy boat needing a lot spending on it to get it into shape.
Sure you can skip on anodes, extend service intervals, not bother toclean air con filters, not change impellers ( fes up her I do them every 2 years by choice ), accept temperature are a bit high, know that a few gauges don’t work but hey there is another on the lower helm, leave the dripping tap, don’t do valve clearances as no one will see and so on
However on day it comes home to roost. Either by a failure as the “ ok “water feed hose decides it is no longer ok or you sell it and face the choice of a long sales process and a big chip on price or the bill yourself to put it all from just about ok to acceptable to a buyer as their surveyor.
Most of us ( it’s a self segmenting group by and large ) like spending time prepping the boat and have a general aim that our cruising time is not interrupted by issues that were within our control.
The decision to use others I suspect is driven more by time and ability than anything else.
Money and good maintancne are not necessarily the same thing, but parts and so on cost and the consequence of failure range from a spoiled family holiday to a boat sinking depending on what happens.
You pay your money and take your choice ... and it is a personal choice.
Boats are not essentials. At any level they are luxuary toys and most people buy what they can reasonably afford to buy and run.
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NBs
Well-Known Member
Hi,
It is difficult to find a good and reliable service man / business Co. I've tried several and I have not been able to find, so I changed my idea and I started to self-care of the boat as part of the boating and I found a new pleasure even if your hands sometimes have oil, but I no longer fool the job the number of hours and supplies, as in the past, when I paid only bill, and I trusted everything be ok.
Another thing is the feeling of safety if there are problems with the boat and its systems and I can solve and fix many problems at sea. And if I'm tired of doing the manners myself, I know exactly how much time and material is spent doing work and what hours are light therapy for a stupid customer.
Exaples is car service (Canada), 11min work, bill 1,30 hours and play and drive customers car, and the original bug was not fixed!
https://youtu.be/6r7xD6t-XNs
NBs
Ex stubid customer
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dpb
Well-Known Member
I'm sure there must be a joke in there about being 'grounded' with reference to replacing your anodes, but I can't quite get there...
I suppose the grounding ( if at high tide) would save on the boat lift!!!
BruceK
Well-Known Member
Scrimp now pay later. I mean really pay later. Your choice but I cant help but think that sometimes perhaps you haven't so much been asking a question so much as seeking justification for not /delaying doing XYZ. In the end all the little sins do add up and that calculated risk comes back to haunt you. Your choice.
rubberduck
Well-Known Member
Wealth is a relative thing, to many I am rich, to others I'm managing ok.
Whatever your position, I would suggest if you can't come up with £50 when needed, perhaps you should look for a cheaper pastime, something where if you skimp safety is not an issue.
Whatever your position, I would suggest if you can't come up with £50 when needed, perhaps you should look for a cheaper pastime, something where if you skimp safety is not an issue.
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
Yup I would agree with that
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
With anodes, I assume there's always the possibility that something unexpected could happen that could accelerate wastage and therefore it seems rather risky to me to scrimp on changing them. I'm happy to scrimp on other things, perhaps getting a second season out of a anti foul, but you've always got to be mindful of the potential consequences.
Regarding budget, I'm not particularly well off compared to some around here and have cut my cloth accordingly (only owning a third of a boat). Our boat is properly maintained but I'm more than happy shopping around for parts to save a few quid. And when we come to sell, I hope that our boat will be among the best in terms of condition and we'll be asking top $ for it.
What is it they say, "A stitch in time saves nine"?
Dennis, remind us, how many boats do you own?
About 6 boats all different Total cost to buy all six about £35k........ and your point is ?
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
Quite
[2068]
...
About 6 boats all different Total cost to buy all six about £35k........ and your point is ?
Point is that you have more boats than Mrs V has handbags.
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
So I posted a question, Went to try and get 60 houses built (not my money just a consultant), Bought some antifoul and other maintenance bits and came back to some interesting answers. I am happy with that.
Tomorrow got 6 boats to maintain
So who thinks that £500 is just a few quid
or £5000
Dennis
Tomorrow got 6 boats to maintain
So who thinks that £500 is just a few quid
or £5000
Dennis
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
Hi Dennis, I think I'm very much in the shoestring budget category, but very quickly learned/learning to do whatever is needed myself to be affordable. I think when you ask advice you would expect (well I would) guidance for the 'correct' method to resolve/service etc. There may be shortcuts and workarounds suggested, but I see these as very much 'at your own risk'.
I look at most things on the basis of risk and consequence if you don't change a bellows at 2 years and it splits it's likely to result in more expensive job (or worse), but changing coolant after 3 years instead of 2, or oil after 18 months instead of 12? Probably little consequence although I personally would rather not stretch this too far. If however you have a brand new boat and have holes in your service records, you're likely to take a hit on resale. So how much would you really save? My boats have all been long past the depreciation curve, but through work I see many that aren't and get left unloved for long periods - leaving a boat with twin stern drives in the water for almost 3 years isn't a wise move for example!
Having seen the consequences of lack of anodes quite regularly I certainly wouldn't scrimp there if boat is kept afloat. When looking at anodes, remember the % used should be based on weight and not what appears to be left - metal leaches from the anode and one that looks half wasted is probably more like 60% or more gone by weight. They also get brittle as they get thinner and can break away leaving nothing, so 20% can quickly be 0%. I'd rather throw away 40-50% every year than have none left! Likewise engine anodes, I'd rather waste money replacing than have bits of engine dissolving inside - it's the one bit of servicing you don't want cut. Things like oil and fuel filters will depend to some extent on hours and type of use, but your anodes are quietly fizzing away when you're tucked up asleep - unless of course boat lives on a trailer and then the coolant/anode theory is turned on it's head. Thus different use and individual circumstance also plays a part. I see forum advice as guidance, not a one answer fits all. I think the broad variety of users and circumstances is where it's strength is.
I look at most things on the basis of risk and consequence if you don't change a bellows at 2 years and it splits it's likely to result in more expensive job (or worse), but changing coolant after 3 years instead of 2, or oil after 18 months instead of 12? Probably little consequence although I personally would rather not stretch this too far. If however you have a brand new boat and have holes in your service records, you're likely to take a hit on resale. So how much would you really save? My boats have all been long past the depreciation curve, but through work I see many that aren't and get left unloved for long periods - leaving a boat with twin stern drives in the water for almost 3 years isn't a wise move for example!
Having seen the consequences of lack of anodes quite regularly I certainly wouldn't scrimp there if boat is kept afloat. When looking at anodes, remember the % used should be based on weight and not what appears to be left - metal leaches from the anode and one that looks half wasted is probably more like 60% or more gone by weight. They also get brittle as they get thinner and can break away leaving nothing, so 20% can quickly be 0%. I'd rather throw away 40-50% every year than have none left! Likewise engine anodes, I'd rather waste money replacing than have bits of engine dissolving inside - it's the one bit of servicing you don't want cut. Things like oil and fuel filters will depend to some extent on hours and type of use, but your anodes are quietly fizzing away when you're tucked up asleep - unless of course boat lives on a trailer and then the coolant/anode theory is turned on it's head.
Thus different use and individual circumstance also plays a part. I see forum advice as guidance, not a one answer fits all. I think the broad variety of users and circumstances is where it's strength is.
BruceK
Well-Known Member
With 6 boats one can begin to understand your maintenance bill must be pretty high. Again it's all choice. Personally I'd rather just ensure I have one well maintained boat rather than six maintained just enough to get by boats. As for your repeated questions about the value of money, I might suggest that is your issue to resolve. You seem to have a problem with it. Honestly I dont think anybody here thinks a tenner is beneath them. Certainly those with the most too. They wouldn't be where they are if they did not know how to look after their pennies and pounds.
jimmy_the_builder
Well-Known Member
Spot on.
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
No problem at all. Just seeking other views.
If you think 6 boats is a lot try adding 5 cars, 2 motorbikes, assisting with several friends and families houses and 220 radio controlled planes (many of which have internal combustion or jet engines).
I am sure many will judge this as rather too many and probably forget their comments about personnel choice
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
Why do you assume that a person who asks a question has a problem with something. Just generating a discussion so that people who wish to can take part
rubberduck
Well-Known Member
Hi Dennis, I think I'm very much in the shoestring budget category, but very quickly learned/learning to do whatever is needed myself to be affordable. I think when you ask advice you would expect (well I would) guidance for the 'correct' method to resolve/service etc. There may be shortcuts and workarounds suggested, but I see these as very much 'at your own risk'.
I look at most things on the basis of risk and consequence if you don't change a bellows at 2 years and it splits it's likely to result in more expensive job (or worse), but changing coolant after 3 years instead of 2, or oil after 18 months instead of 12? Probably little consequence although I personally would rather not stretch this too far. If however you have a brand new boat and have holes in your service records, you're likely to take a hit on resale. So how much would you really save? My boats have all been long past the depreciation curve, but through work I see many that aren't and get left unloved for long periods - leaving a boat with twin stern drives in the water for almost 3 years isn't a wise move for example!
Having seen the consequences of lack of anodes quite regularly I certainly wouldn't scrimp there if boat is kept afloat. When looking at anodes, remember the % used should be based on weight and not what appears to be left - metal leaches from the anode and one that looks half wasted is probably more like 60% or more gone by weight. They also get brittle as they get thinner and can break away leaving nothing, so 20% can quickly be 0%. I'd rather throw away 40-50% every year than have none left! Likewise engine anodes, I'd rather waste money replacing than have bits of engine dissolving inside - it's the one bit of servicing you don't want cut. Things like oil and fuel filters will depend to some extent on hours and type of use, but your anodes are quietly fizzing away when you're tucked up asleep - unless of course boat lives on a trailer and then the coolant/anode theory is turned on it's head.
Pretty accurate summing up IMO
bluetooth
Well-Known Member
So I posted a question, Went to try and get 60 houses built (not my money just a consultant), Bought some antifoul and other maintenance bits and came back to some interesting answers. I am happy with that.
Tomorrow got 6 boats to maintain
So who thinks that £500 is just a few quid
or £5000
Dennis
Blimmey. I'd be more concerned about storage or mooring fees than anodes. Even assuming each boat is 10 foot then 60 foot of boat isn't cheap. That or u have a long driveway. Good luck with planned maintenance jobs.
petem
Well-Known Member
I think they are all in bigplumbs garden!
MrB
Well-Known Member
What's up Dennis? For a few days now you have been a bit "Aggy" and not your normal self? Is everything cool? Never seen you this argumentative/ negative before? You're usually quite "up-beat":ambivalence: