The cost of keeping/running your first cheap small boat

[Tranona]

Depends on the type of mooring. The owner of the mooring will have worked out the best type for the location so ask them what you need to secure your boat to the mooring. if it is in an enclosed harbour rather than a river it could be a trot or a swinger, but you probably won't have significant tidal flow to worry about which sometimes can be challenging.

 

[steve yates]

Thanks, it's an enclosed harbour, dries out at low tide. This is it here... http://www.ports.org.uk/port.asp?id=342

 

[Lakesailor]

Spot on; But what takes you so long? Mate sails a small gaff cutter. With a bit of refinement, it is now down to around 10mins or less to arriving at slip to sailing off. My sloop rigged nordic double ender usually takes around the same, except I don't take an outboard for sea use. What actually takes the time is the shuffling of the trailer and car to a park. FWIW we have several slips around here that don't charge.

Ah yes. I fancied a gaffer to get the advantage of leaving the mast on the tabernacle and everything but the forestay connected.

 

[Lakesailor]

Thanks, it's an enclosed harbour, dries out at low tide. This is it here... http://www.ports.org.uk/port.asp?id=342

Too many http:// s............................................ http://www.ports.org.uk/port.asp?id=342

 

[Tranona]

Thanks, it's an enclosed harbour, dries out at low tide. This is it here... http://www.ports.org.uk/port.asp?id=342

Those moorings look like fore and Aft, so boat always faces one way and sinks into the same place. The buoys will have risers and you will pick up chain or rope to attach to your cleats. No doubt the HM will show you how to use them - but nothing magic about them once you get the hang of it.

 

[HenryEDM]

This is the third season I've had my boat and I definitely underestimated the cost of keeping her. I knew what needed money spent when I got her; moorings, yard fees, lift outs etc and the maintenance that was obvious but I wasn't prepared for the constant adding of jobs to the maintenance list that seems to get ever longer rather than shorter...but I have had immense pleasure not only from sailing the boat but also from tinkering and maintaining and getting to know her inside out. I don't begrudge spending any of the cash (my missus might say otherwise) and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I have just spent £350 on a new stack pack main cover and I think I will have to restict spending to 'absolute essential' maintenance only between now and the end of the season as we are also in the middle of buying a new house which I probably will begrudge spending my money on.

 

[fastjedi]

A Graduate ay? ...... My first boat was G2739....... leading to a 18 ft lift keel microcup ........ leading to a 25 ft bilge keel ......... leading to a 32 ft fin keel .......

I cope with the expense by through a monthly transfer into the boat fund. If you can get to a position where there is enough in the fund to deal with most eventualities it helps to take the financial stress away. I don't try to count the all up cost (commuting to the boat, visitor berths etc) As others have said, if I wasn't sailing I would be doing something else.

 

[jac]

I cope with the expense by through a monthly transfer into the boat fund. If you can get to a position where there is enough in the fund to deal with most eventualities it helps to take the financial stress away. I don't try to count the all up cost (commuting to the boat, visitor berths etc) As others have said, if I wasn't sailing I would be doing something else.

Same approach as me. I know what the big bills are and when they need to be paid so can judge if on track or not and whether I can go to chandlers or leave for a bit!

The first 2-3 years are more expensive as you will find more things to change / you'll make mistakes etc. Once the boat is basically sorted it becomes more a case of maintain and replace worn out bits - rather than add new things that you "need" although there will of course always be something nice that could be accommodated!!!!

 

[DownWest]

Ah yes. I fancied a gaffer to get the advantage of leaving the mast on the tabernacle and everything but the forestay connected.

In his case both the inner and outer stays have two to one puchases led back and the sails on furlers. So: after taking the tie downs off, shoulder under the mast and haul on the two ropes, cleat off and she's rigged. Mast rests in a cross crutch aft, which lifts out and stows in seconds.