longjohnsilver
Well-known member
36 Years!! How old was he when he started, and will he have time/health to enjoy it?
The 'never launch' brigade
- Thread starter snowleopard
- Start date
36 Years!! How old was he when he started, and will he have time/health to enjoy it?
Sandyman
Well-known member
Don't know his exact age but he was in his early 70's when she was launched. He started it in 1977 the year we got married.
Heath Robinson eat your heart out
We were surprised to see it still floating next morning.Recall he said he was going to do a circumnavigation. Got some photos on my other laptop which I will try & post later.
There is a good one of him breaking a bottle of Asti Spumante over the bows.
BobnLesley
Well-known member
"Perhaps for some people the reward is in the build process, not the sailing."
About ten years ago we hauled out for three-weeks of hard work, before re-launching and heading off for Biscay & the Med, in a yard full of 'projects' in Kent. It was a wonderful experience, we learnt heaps about fixing stuff and irrespective of any problem we had, there was someone there who new where to get the required part/work done quickly, properly and at a rock-bottom price; our evenings were spent socialising and looking over the many ferro/steel 'new' boats and timber/grp 'restorations'.
On the evening before we left I had a long and interesting conversation with the yard's owner/manager about the 'two-types' of sailors that he saw, those who worked on their boats to 'go sailing' and those who worked on them 'rather than go sailing'. The strongest memory I have of that conversation was mentioning which in my limited opinion opinion was the best of those I'd seen - it was steel and 3.5 years into a 5-year build programme - the chap agreed with my choice, but with the caveat: "Though I think his last one was probably better." He then related how this chap had spent six years building a 42' steel boat to 'sail around the world'; how they'd had a big 'launch' party in the March, a 'farewell' party in May when they'd waved him off on his big adventure. The chap had then turned-up back at the yard the following September, with a rucksack, but no yacht, enquiring if his old caravan was still there? It seemed that having got as far as Brittany, he'd decided that a few things on his yacht 'weren't quite right', so he'd sold it and returned to build a new one without said faults.
The yard owner/manager was confident that he'd finish/launch this second yacht exactly as planned, but equally sure that he'd be 'back within a year to start building his third.'
Not that I'm knocking them for it: When I was about 35 years old and sat in a pub in North Wales for the fourth day in succession, talking about rock-climbing and looking out at the pouring rain I had an epiphany: Unlike everyone else in the bar, I was really quite happy, having realised after 20+ years of climbing, that I now actually preferred sitting in pubs talking about climbing, than actually going out and doing any!
About ten years ago we hauled out for three-weeks of hard work, before re-launching and heading off for Biscay & the Med, in a yard full of 'projects' in Kent. It was a wonderful experience, we learnt heaps about fixing stuff and irrespective of any problem we had, there was someone there who new where to get the required part/work done quickly, properly and at a rock-bottom price; our evenings were spent socialising and looking over the many ferro/steel 'new' boats and timber/grp 'restorations'.
On the evening before we left I had a long and interesting conversation with the yard's owner/manager about the 'two-types' of sailors that he saw, those who worked on their boats to 'go sailing' and those who worked on them 'rather than go sailing'. The strongest memory I have of that conversation was mentioning which in my limited opinion opinion was the best of those I'd seen - it was steel and 3.5 years into a 5-year build programme - the chap agreed with my choice, but with the caveat: "Though I think his last one was probably better." He then related how this chap had spent six years building a 42' steel boat to 'sail around the world'; how they'd had a big 'launch' party in the March, a 'farewell' party in May when they'd waved him off on his big adventure. The chap had then turned-up back at the yard the following September, with a rucksack, but no yacht, enquiring if his old caravan was still there? It seemed that having got as far as Brittany, he'd decided that a few things on his yacht 'weren't quite right', so he'd sold it and returned to build a new one without said faults.
The yard owner/manager was confident that he'd finish/launch this second yacht exactly as planned, but equally sure that he'd be 'back within a year to start building his third.'
Not that I'm knocking them for it: When I was about 35 years old and sat in a pub in North Wales for the fourth day in succession, talking about rock-climbing and looking out at the pouring rain I had an epiphany: Unlike everyone else in the bar, I was really quite happy, having realised after 20+ years of climbing, that I now actually preferred sitting in pubs talking about climbing, than actually going out and doing any!
pmagowan
Well-known member
I did mine over the winter after the first season of only light sailing until I could know she was sea worthy. An early pull out and a late put in and it gave me 6 months to rip out everything and replace or restore including planking and structural timbers. That said, most of the boat was sound. This year I hope to get the whole deck off and replaced over the winter but I am so busy that it might be a tough ask. I would hate to miss an entire season of sailing by not getting the job done. I plan to build my next boat in the yard and have been working on the designs and the workshop/tools required. I am estimating it will be a 4 or 5 year project from start until launch but I may be able to speed that up with some careful planning and by building a CNC machine. For me half the enjoyment is in working with wood and seeing something appear out of nothing. I like problem solving and design so the journey is almost as good as the result. However, that said, I do already have my boat and so will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds. I would really love to take a year long sabbatical when my new boat is built and sail around the world but I have to find a partner that will take on the business for me while I do.
Kelpie
Well-known member
I think one aspect of it is what you are willing to put up with. Our new (to us) boat had sat in a mud berth for four years, and the owner had shelled out on a lot of new gear (sails, instruments, etc) but had only ever taken her out once in all that time- and that was just to check the cut of the new sails. He was presumably waiting until the whole jobs list was complete before using her.
We put her into commission upon taking delivery- ok so there was no toilet, no lights, no heater, no water system, no stanchions, railings, or guardwires. You just work around these things. About the only thing we did was buy a bigger anchor and then we set off on our summer cruise.
So, I guess we fit into the 'rather go sailing' camp...
We put her into commission upon taking delivery- ok so there was no toilet, no lights, no heater, no water system, no stanchions, railings, or guardwires. You just work around these things. About the only thing we did was buy a bigger anchor and then we set off on our summer cruise.
So, I guess we fit into the 'rather go sailing' camp...
Koeketiene
Well-known member
Sounds very familiar. Our project nearly broke us - financially speaking.
At one point, in the middle of the project, we considered selling her 'as is'. Shelved the idea as what we could realistically get for her in the state she was, was less than we still owed on the mortgage. A six month tour in Afghanistan enabled us to see the project through - financially.
As for motivation: being deluded - and fanatical about it - helps.
We spent October 2008 till June 2010 in one boatyard or another. In July 2009 we sailed the boat from the boatyard in Antwerp to the boatyard in Ipswich. The trip took four - eventful - days. And I remember each of those days like it was yesterday.
From then on, I cut the project into bite-size chunks. Sailing in Summer, refitting in Winter.
Don't think I could have remained motivated had I not been able to take the boat for a sail from time to time.
BlackPig
N/A
I winter at Clyde boat yard A few large wooden fishing boats have now been put in the water after being ashore for years. I take my hat off to the owners for the work they have done often on a shoe string budget.
Eyore
Well-known member
A very wise approach that happily paid off for you.
Colvic Watson
Well-known member
I remember at a yard in Kent seeing a Prout Snowgoose 37. Basically sound but the internal woodwork was going. I said the yard owner if she could ask the owner for a price and she said not to bother - he'd turned upteen offers down and was "waiting for the right time to start work on her". Two years later the rain had got inside, she was effectively a bare hull and deck with a mast by the time the internals were removed. Not even cheap at £5000. Still happily paying yard fees.
My favourite boat there was a Centaur launched each spring and out each autumn and never once taken out. They liked coming over three times a year, once for the launch, once for a day sat on board in the marina and once for a day's antifouling. Strange but true.
My favourite boat there was a Centaur launched each spring and out each autumn and never once taken out. They liked coming over three times a year, once for the launch, once for a day sat on board in the marina and once for a day's antifouling. Strange but true.
Poignard
Well-known member
One of these days ....
I have lived at my present address for around 30 years. Soon after settling here I noticed a boat sitting in someone's front garden, covered with an old tarpaulin. The lady of the house was in the front garden and when I asked her about it she told me it was a Thames slipper launch. I asked if it was for sale and she said 'No', her husband was going to restore it.
I went past yesterday and it was still there; untouched.
I have lived at my present address for around 30 years. Soon after settling here I noticed a boat sitting in someone's front garden, covered with an old tarpaulin. The lady of the house was in the front garden and when I asked her about it she told me it was a Thames slipper launch. I asked if it was for sale and she said 'No', her husband was going to restore it.
I went past yesterday and it was still there; untouched.
rogerball0
N/A
Boat Project 'Costs'
Money + motivation = finished boat.
Money + no motivation = job done badly.
No money + No motivation = chainsaw.
Money + motivation = finished boat.
Money + no motivation = job done badly.
No money + No motivation = chainsaw.
FairweatherDave
Well-known member
The bit that amazes me is people never touching their boats must still be paying yard fees. I could not shell out monthly without some realistic hope of sailing in the medium term, or at least working on the boat / bit of social.
Yard fees are like gym membership, expensive enough to force you to use the facilities in some way or other. (Although I haven't been a member of a gym for a long long time...
Yard fees are like gym membership, expensive enough to force you to use the facilities in some way or other. (Although I haven't been a member of a gym for a long long time...
oldvarnish
Active member
I agree, and there's no shame in that. You can be a genius at building rockets, but it doesn't mean you have to go into space.
Wansworth
Well-known member
There was a BrixhamTrawler in Littlehampton for years being beautifully rebuilt singlehandedly...a girl friend had carved on the mast that the owner only loved his boat..... almost like Noah.But he got it sailing and sailed singlehanded and with a one armed mate......Vigilance
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JumbleDuck
Well-known member
I think you're quite right. I love the time I spend in the yard, Doing Stuff - there is a great sense of community and camaraderie, and not a few thinsulate hats. In fact I am sure that the overwhelming majority of enjoyment of boats happens when they are not actually sailing ... for a good old potter about it really doesn't matter if the boat is afloat or ashore.
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
I acquired my Hunter 490 for nothing from the previous owner who bought her, stripped every fitting off her and left her in the back garden for eighteen years, always about to start the great refit.
Poecheng
Well-known member
When we had our gaffer, Mrs Poecheng and me were in the covered slip at Bedwells, Walton on the Naze painting her lovely hull. The only problem was that it was a beautiful August bank holiday and we had been working on her all winter, spring and summer, time allowing (the nippers were ankle biters then).
We just burst out laughing at the stupidity of it all. We loved the boat (I still do) but we love being on the water more.
THe deal for the next boat was a price that included: vendor to ensure and pay for water tanks full, diesel tank full, engine basic service, batteries charged, antifouled, sails "hanked" on (forgetting the correct term for roller genoa and roller main) launched, put into her temporary berth and a week's berthing at the marina. Best thing I did.
We just burst out laughing at the stupidity of it all. We loved the boat (I still do) but we love being on the water more.
THe deal for the next boat was a price that included: vendor to ensure and pay for water tanks full, diesel tank full, engine basic service, batteries charged, antifouled, sails "hanked" on (forgetting the correct term for roller genoa and roller main) launched, put into her temporary berth and a week's berthing at the marina. Best thing I did.
fastjedi
Member
Picking words carefully to protect identity: Desirable 25' 1970's one owner boat unused for a few years, in need of TLC and acquired at the right price. The new owner slaved away for several years installing Marine Super Store's finest instrumentation + electric heads + superb new upholstery. When it came to the seized Volvo MD it got a hundred quid rebuild (Not sure if that extended to a 200 amp alternator and 500ah battery upgrade .... We were excited to see it on the water for a few weeks one August ... and then out again for another 2+ years. I guess its hard to understand priorities if you haven't owned and run a boat ... as other have said "happier in the boat yard"
.... We were excited to see it on the water for a few weeks one August ... and then out again for another 2+ years. I guess its hard to understand priorities if you haven't owned and run a boat ... as other have said "happier in the boat yard"saltylegs
Active member
Perhaps for some people the reward is in the build process, not the sailing.
I agree
I can get plenty of sailing on mates boats but after selling the last but one boat, was at a loose end over the winters (after rebuilding a Triumph Vitesse) so spent 4 years (about 3 months per winter) building a 17.5 foot gaff rigged ketch, sailed it twice then bought a Sigma 33 and spent another winter stripping and rebuilding/repairing it.
I'm just twisted but I like boats, building, fixing, sailing in no particular order.
Here's the Sigma http://s1143.photobucket.com/albums/n630/saltylegs/
I agree
I can get plenty of sailing on mates boats but after selling the last but one boat, was at a loose end over the winters (after rebuilding a Triumph Vitesse) so spent 4 years (about 3 months per winter) building a 17.5 foot gaff rigged ketch, sailed it twice then bought a Sigma 33 and spent another winter stripping and rebuilding/repairing it.
I'm just twisted but I like boats, building, fixing, sailing in no particular order.
Here's the Sigma http://s1143.photobucket.com/albums/n630/saltylegs/
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Seajet
...
I'll say it again;
A sailor takes an accountant chum for a sail.
After a while the accountant says, " I see, you pay £ X thousands for a boat you can only use at best 2 days a week '
' No, I use her 7 days a week '
' How so ? '
' 2 days a week I sail her, the rest of the week I dream of her '
------ I think it fair enough to translate this to those in boatyards too !
I know someone, in his 60's extremely skilled engineer with hands and head, even now uses head on nuclear power station designs - but only had a few weekends sailing.
Years ago as we knew each other he called me, he'd found what seemed an attractive boat on the internet, would I go and look with him ?
The boat was in the middle of a bizarre set of outbuildings in the middle of the New Forest, one of the many things collected by a rich eccentric around his scruffy little house in the middle of nowhere.
I really liked that place, it spoke of wild parties and happiness, there was a hearse outside converted into an early people carrier, tanks, ambulances, diggers, jcb's, lots of Landrovers, it was a treasure trove,and the spirit of the departed loon smiled on.
The boat was very good, a real barn find.
You or I would have fixed a couple of things and had a fair few Channel crossings under our belts by now.
Instead my chum had her transported up north to his place and has taken her apart, replacing absolutely every fitting and nut & bolt, every bit of kit, engine to eberspacher, everything out and replaced, researched, upgraded.
You or I could easily have her sailing next season, and a cracking boat she would be too.
But I don't think that's going to happen.
One day, someone is going to get a fantastically well made and fitted out boat, probably for peanuts, but I can tell in my heart my chum will never even see the sails up.
Suits him, including moaning about it repeatedly all day every day !
A sailor takes an accountant chum for a sail.
After a while the accountant says, " I see, you pay £ X thousands for a boat you can only use at best 2 days a week '
' No, I use her 7 days a week '
' How so ? '
' 2 days a week I sail her, the rest of the week I dream of her '
------ I think it fair enough to translate this to those in boatyards too !
I know someone, in his 60's extremely skilled engineer with hands and head, even now uses head on nuclear power station designs - but only had a few weekends sailing.
Years ago as we knew each other he called me, he'd found what seemed an attractive boat on the internet, would I go and look with him ?
The boat was in the middle of a bizarre set of outbuildings in the middle of the New Forest, one of the many things collected by a rich eccentric around his scruffy little house in the middle of nowhere.
I really liked that place, it spoke of wild parties and happiness, there was a hearse outside converted into an early people carrier, tanks, ambulances, diggers, jcb's, lots of Landrovers, it was a treasure trove,and the spirit of the departed loon smiled on.
The boat was very good, a real barn find.
You or I would have fixed a couple of things and had a fair few Channel crossings under our belts by now.
Instead my chum had her transported up north to his place and has taken her apart, replacing absolutely every fitting and nut & bolt, every bit of kit, engine to eberspacher, everything out and replaced, researched, upgraded.
You or I could easily have her sailing next season, and a cracking boat she would be too.
But I don't think that's going to happen.
One day, someone is going to get a fantastically well made and fitted out boat, probably for peanuts, but I can tell in my heart my chum will never even see the sails up.
Suits him, including moaning about it repeatedly all day every day !
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