Should I feel guilty about not being a fanatic for varnishing and hull polishing ? ?

[sarabande]

The boat lives on a F&A mooring not far from some tall trees, which shelter her caringly. However, trees cast lichen spores and spiders, so I always have the first 10 minutes on board evicting arachnid immigrants and cleaning the cockpit drains and scuppers.

Today, perhaps with the benefit of some decent sunshine, I became aware that I haven't varnished the cabin sole and brightwork, nor have I returned the teak rail to its former honey colour or the hull to its reflective sparkle for >2 years.

On the other hand I did spend today sorting out three storage boxes of assorted stainless nuts and bolts, and all the tools and electrical spares.

As a genuine question: it would be satisfying to have everything clean and shiny, but do people gain more satisfaction from having the boat "functional" rather than super clean and "flashy" ?

 

[Wansworth]

A man after my own heart!

 

[johnalison]

A boat, like a car, goes faster and more smoothly when it is clean.

Ingrained dirt takes much more work to clean off, so I like to keep abreast of things.

 

[Kelpie]

I've met people who moan about not being able to launch their boat because they haven't polished it yet.
Boats are for sailing, not for looking at! Of course I would love to have my boat looking in concourse condition but it's so far down the list of things to do that it's not happening for a while yet. The one thing I do prioritise is keeping on top of brightwork as once you let that go you can only get it back by sanding off a chunk of wood, which is only viable a certain number of times.

 

[pandos]

Best way is to feel guilty and promise yourself to be better in future as you tie up the boat.... (just a bit like eating a full english breakfast), but prioritise sailing over appearance but not over safety and functionality....

I am getting my boat ready and having spent years preparing for "Sale" am now rushing towards "Sail" and whilst standards are slipping work is becoming much more enjoyable... I am now really only interested in function and safety.( to a certain extent)....

 

[William_H]

The boat is yours, the passion is yours for doing whatever you wish with it. I have settled into a pattern of sailing all summer doing only essential maintenance then I bring the boat home for winter. I enjoy tizzying it up over winter but only do what I feel like doing. So I enjoy both sailing and cleaning up. There are so many derelict boats around me that I certainly don't feel guilty about any scratches or lack of varnish. olewill

 

[thinwater]

Functional.

 

[gus]

I now keep a boat on a trailer and I keep it functionally perfect and clean but because it could be easily stolen, I leave the odd scuff mark and minor scratches etc which reduce its chances of being coveted by a thief. Doesn't look so 'pretty' but goes like hell - more function then fancy!

 

[duncan99210]

Is the boat safe? Is the hull reasonably free for from fouling? Do the sails and engine work? If yes to the above, then stop wittering and go sailing.

 

[Wansworth]

The OP should have access to some nice lambs wool polishing material!

 

[simonfraser]

Nah, be fanatical about mast polishing though

 

[Norman_E]

Boats are for sailing, polishing is optional.

 

[Mister E]

Our boat is unfortunately out of the water waiting for repair (my stupidity I hit a rock). So when it is not raining I am cutting back and polishing. Also rubbing down the steering gear ready to paint.

 

[GregOddity]

The boat lives on a F&A mooring not far from some tall trees, which shelter her caringly. However, trees cast lichen spores and spiders, so I always have the first 10 minutes on board evicting arachnid immigrants and cleaning the cockpit drains and scuppers.

Today, perhaps with the benefit of some decent sunshine, I became aware that I haven't varnished the cabin sole and brightwork, nor have I returned the teak rail to its former honey colour or the hull to its reflective sparkle for >2 years.

On the other hand I did spend today sorting out three storage boxes of assorted stainless nuts and bolts, and all the tools and electrical spares.

As a genuine question: it would be satisfying to have everything clean and shiny, but do people gain more satisfaction from having the boat "functional" rather than super clean and "flashy" ?

HOW TERRIBLE OF YOU !!!
The answer is YES, you should feel TERRIBLE GUILTY! Your sentiment of guilt should be so powerful and strong that you felt the only possible penitence would be to arrive at my Marina late at night and polish my whole boat till morning.
(I’ll leave the key in the cockpit locker in case you have time to do the inside)

 

[Wansworth]

In the coasting trade it was quite normal to do a bit of scraping and painting on a continuous basis so mainteinence didn’t get out of control,besides passing an afternoon doing planned maintience was quite relaxing whilst at sea.Yachts see to be subject to a different regime where it’s o lay maintained in the off season in the normally less favorable weather.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Just go out for a long sail. Then, when you come back, try to recall how many times during that sail you actually did worry about varnishing and polishing.
Therein lies your answer.

 

[thinwater]

Are there ANY other projects that would improve safety, speed, convenience, or reliability? When you finish all of them, then polish. Or don't.

But please do feel guilty, if it helps.

 

[Vancouver Island]

I think that it can be a fine line as many boats that are 'functional' but not flashy slowly become less functional as the pride of ownership slips. Although it isn't a necessary correlation, I think many boats that look bad also have functional issues.
Besides, sailing or sitting on a well cared for boat just feels good.

 

[thinwater]

I think that it can be a fine line as many boats that are 'functional' but not flashy slowly become less functional as the pride of ownership slips. Although it isn't a necessary correlation, I think many boats that look bad also have functional issues.
Besides, sailing or sitting on a well cared for boat just feels good.

You are right, of course. I think a good many of us are exaggerating our dislike for cleaning just for fun. I really dislike waxing, but the boat is always squared away and cosmetically good from a slight distance. Messy is seldom safe.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Well, I had good intentions to polish this year(did it last year) but too many other jobs got in the way... plus c*** weather... But regarding varnishing, I have made acrylic covers for my 6 handrails. I first scraped & varnished the handrails when I got the boat 13yrs ago and made the covers then. The varnish lasted 11 years before I cleaned them up again and re-varnished(and modified the covers to fit better). I don't like varnishing so the covers have made life much easier. They only get removed when I go sailing.