stingy tightarse survey

[aztec]

ok, cards on the table. how many of you lot have too much money, and how many(like me) grudge spending loads of hard earned, on a boat, only to moor it for years on end making excuses why you can't use it at the moment... usually pending some repair/maintenance work. i look at the classic boat forum, and see that it is almost dead... people spending more time mending their boats than just talking about them here.

serious bit now... i'm a practicle bloke, and i'd like to know how many others out there share interests in repairing their own kit rather than paying someone else to do it for them. if i get any reply from this it'll be a miracle, but just in case you are like me (perish the thought) i will note your name thing and may even enter in to conversation.... scary eh?

this forum is a good source of info, but i do find some of the posts stuffy.... sorry, i don't mean to offend, come back byron, we need you now!

bye bye, steve.

interested in stuff that needs mendin'

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.amos/index.html

 

[rich]

pay somebody,are you mad!

rich ) Why pay, when you can do it yourself?

 

[aztec]

ok rich, you're the first... to be added to the list... when i eventually sober up (thursday) i'll drop you a line... why are you up so late on a week day?....

interested in stuff that needs mendin'

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.amos/index.html

 

[Forbsie]

You know that I'm into fixing my boat up. But then again, I am a Jock and Aberdonian to boot so I would hardly pay someone else to do it! The moths in my wallet would have a communual heart attack. )

 

[tjc]

Why pay somebody when you (I) can make a complete and utter cock up of an easy job.........and then pay someone to bale you out. Sound familiar!!

 

[aztec]

bloody 'ell some other sad bugger up in the middle of the night... i did have a look at your pics the other day, donn't know if i can help much but i'll do my best. by the way i love your boat, very pretty lines, i like it... chat soon. steve.

interested in stuff that needs mendin'

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.amos/index.html

 

[aztec]

ok, point taken. it does'nt mean you can't try! all experience is learnt the hard way... isn't it?

interested in stuff that needs mendin'

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.amos/index.html

 

[Forbsie]

I'm in Aberdeen at the moment and it is too hot to sleep, so that's my excuse!

I've come across a BMC 1500 up here that has been re-conned but not used since. It used to be on a firdge truck. Have you any experience of these and any tips on what to ask, etc if I go to look at it?

 

[aztec]

no not realy, except i had a simmolar engine in a sherpa van... bloody good it was... gutless but reliable, sorry i can't be of any more help.

interested in stuff that needs mendin'

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.amos/index.html

 

[aztec]

so midnight again, i'm going to bed, meant what i said, i'm looking for reliable people who share an interest in helping each other. it's in your court now!.... sorry nurse i'm going to bed now..... huggs and kisses, yeti.

interested in stuff that needs mendin'

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.amos/index.html

 

[chippie]

I used to fit your first category until I got the boat mobile and then do bugger all maintenance because all I do now is sail and fish from it, just running repairs. Now the big refit is coming up and am looking forward to taking a few weeks off work and bringing it back to its former (or better) condition.
Have you noticed how the bad weather often waits until the weekend that was to be taken up with sailing? To this end my regular crewmate and I have established the monday-friday club which adds an extra day to the weekend if the weather is ok.

Cheers.

 

[kgi]

well when the bloody thing breaks down at sea, what do you do? well you dont call the RAC do you....!!!!! you fix it yourself, the ability to think laterally helps with us DIY boat mechanics. after all if a jobs worth bodging its worth bodging properly cheers keith

 

[Sirus]

I said this about being on the thames and what a rip off everything is,people did'nt seem to agree making me an official "Tight Arse"

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately some of us are like you!! And yes you are right we are spending huge amounts of time refitting at the moment - soon be done however and refitting will be replaced by continuous ongoing maintenance!.

Dont assume that because we dont reply very often that we are not reading and learning from what others are doing, this is how we gain the confidence to tackle many of the jobs that we have not done before.

On the subject of financing this hobby there are many reasons for doing the work myself- I my case there would be no boat if I had to pay for everything.

I would be pleased to discuss any subject regarding the DIY bit of boats and add my two-penneth!

Regards

PZ

 

[Gordonmc]

I only became an owner three years ago, but it became obvious fairly fast how the fraternity can be categorised:

1. Those who fill skips with old kit; and:

2. Those who kit out their boats from skips.

I am eternally grateful to the good folk who stock up the cupboards at the head of the pontoon with all manner of boaty bits; complete toilets, radios, instrument screens... on one occasion an ancient single cylinder engine and gearbox. None of the bits have been write-offs. Just easier to bin and replace.

Then there's the amount of materials; brass, ss tube, canvas, even old hose which makes good anti-chafe sleeving for warps.

Yes, I am a womble when it comes to keeping the costs down, firmly in the second camp. So the next time you see legs protruding from a skip, you will know its a like kind.

 

[Avocet]

Just thought I'd chip in...

I do all my own work on the boat. Partly because (as others have said) I wouldn't have a boat otherwise but also (and this is the major part if I'm honest with myself) because I LIKE IT!

I used to be seriously into cars - and still do this for a living but over the last 10 years or so, all the fun has gone out of it. The roads are too crowded, the Plod are too good at catching you and you can't so much as change your brand of screenwash and still expect to get insurance!!! (OK, maybe a slight exageration).

So about 10 years ago, my wife and I got our first boat and to my utter joy, the freedom was intoxicating. There were rules but no compulsory tests - If you got it badly wrong, you died (or worse, someone else trying to save you did). That was a pretty good reason for learning the rules and sticking to them. Also, if I woke up one morning and decided I wanted a different engine / sail plan / cut the boat in half and add 3 feet to it, etc. I could just go ahead and do it.

I must add that I haven't done any of the above mods, but the whole point is that I COULD if I wanted to. I like sailing but have accepted that I'm really just an estuarine potterer and will almost certainly never cross the Atlantic. What really appeals to me about boats is the freedom to tinker.

Unfortunately, the clouds are gathering on the horizon and now the RCD is trying to pigeonhole craft in much the same way as type approval did with cars in the 70s. I'm not sure it makes them better (boats OR cars) but it certainly makes them more uniform!

I can also see the day when boats will be registered and licensed and modifications will be made progressively less viable unless tested, certified, checked and otherwise interfered with. When that happens, I might have to (sadly) try something else (heaven only knows what, though)!

It all makes me sound pretty irresponsible but I'm not sure that's (completely!) true. I have a healthy fear of the sea and am naturally cautious. I completely and unreservedly support the RYA's "educate don't legislate" philosophy and I HATE the idea of someone else taking my decisions for me whether I like it or not.

OK, I feel better for that rant - I'm off to see my "shrink" now!

 

[Eudorajab]

I too like to do it all myself that way I know I can handle most things when I really do need to.

 

[Bejasus]

Ok Steve, good thread. Have you noticed how it's only the like minded who have replied and no comment from the opposites. I have just taken my first steo into boating after riding around on sportsbikes at 150+with my hair on fire. I run a large vessel for my company in the oil business and generally lead a very stressful life, what with 4 teenagers at home as well. On the 29th June I bought a Seamaster for cruising around on the Broads to see if I liked this kind of thing. Well, what a change. Try getting stressed when the fastest you can travel is 6 mph max. I had her taken out of the water so that I can do some minor hull repairs when I get home and hope to get her rubbed down & antifouled and back in the water inside 1 month as I am away a month at a time and home for the same. I have just spent the last 2 weeks at sea e-mailing around the Uk searching for advice on how to repair, paint etc and looking forwards to coming home in July to get stuck in. Good luck and keep those hands dirty.
George

"I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."..........I think????

 

[Bejasus]

This engine is one of the most common & reliable engines fitted to river cruisers, especialy here on the broads. There should be a wealth of information available. Expect around 30-37 HP. Try www.asapsupplies.co.uk for mail order, marinisation parts etc.
George

"I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."..........I think????

 

[aztec]

cheers for replying, nice boat, what engine do you have in it?

interested in stuff that needs mendin'

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.amos/index.html