Unwelcome thoughts...

[Dave_Snelson]

I am beginning to think about getting rid of my Windy. Its a war of attricion - I love the boat, but does it love me?? Looking back over the year-and-two-months of ownership, I have had loads of horrendous repair bills, and every time I think "well this must be it - it must be settling down by now". But no...my latest is £350 for a raw water intake pump. I feel that the cost of running this boat is becoming unjustifiable.

Then I think "what if I sell it just as every thing starts to go right??"

For what I could sell my boat for, I could buy a Beneteau Antares 650, brand new with a warranty, with all the requisite stuff on board like a small galley, sea toilet, 3 berths etc and equipped with a 90HP 4-stroke O/B and sitting on a trailer. Much cheaper to run and maintain and unlikely to go wrong.

And then I think "no - I don't want a smaller boat".

Do I banish these thoughts and get on with it, or do I think a little harder about something newer, smaller, and cheaper to own.

Tough question for the panel me thinks!!

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[ShipsWoofy]

buy a yacht.





mwaaahhhhhaaaaaaaaahhhhhaaaaaa



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[DepSol]

Only one that you can answer I think.

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[AJW]

Is it worth considering biting the bullet and re-engineing? If the boat itself is what you want mebbe this is the solution for the longer term?

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[Xenopus]

Hi Dave,

Having moved up from a smaller boat one thing that really made it worth it was the ability to get out in rougher weather - the difference in ride between a 20 and 30 foot boat in our waters is really very marked. I guess this is something to consider if you sold the Windy. If its any help we finally gave in and changed all the engine peripherals on Mananan when the overhaul was done - touch wood it seems to have worked, nothing has missed a beat since (that should b-----r it for this weekend then).

all the best with whatever you choose,

Matt

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[jhr]

As you say, a tough question. Would you rather be hanged or guillotined? /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Without wanting to sound too pessimistic, your Windy is past the first flush of her youth. We all know that Windys are tough, seaworthy and well designed, and their build spec is, I'd venture to suggest, higher than that of the Beneteau (though let's not start a Scuttlebutt-type debate about traditional versus modern). The problem is that, because she's old, things are going to keep going wrong, falling off and needing repair. You know all this, I don't doubt, but my point is that I don't think the day will come when it all starts to go right. Therefore, the question you must ask is whether or not you can tolerate on-going expense at this level or not (and also what you would do if, for instance, you were faced with having to do something really expensive, like replace both engines). The logical answer, therefore, is to flog the Windy and get the Beneteau.

However, in spite of having gone for the smaller/more modern rather than older/bigger choice myself, I'd hang on to the Windy, 'cos I'm illogical.

PS: Pay no attention to Ship's Woofy. I bet he's had to spend a fortune on new sails, knackered winches, frayed sheets, on-board Pedigree Chum dispensers...............

Edit: just read your post about the cooling hoses and note that the engines are 5 years old - so re-engining not an issue. I reckon that tips the balance. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by jhr on 06/10/2004 14:25 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[tico]

I know the feeling. Was exactly the same with 'Muda.
Ended up with being forced into a decision by a bust cam belt.

In went the 2 new engines, and the only regret is that i didnt do it 3 years earlier!!

Now i've got the best of both worlds..... great build quality and seakeeping (just like the Windy) but with engines that I know arnt going to cost several appendages to keep running.

Worth thinking about, you get to keep the bits you like but without the worry

<hr width=100% size=1>Been there, done that, got the oily T shirt

 

[MedDreamer]

Hi Dave

Gutted for you mate, I know the feeling! Only you really know the answer but practically it seems a shame to give someone else the benefit of your expenditure. If you sell you probably wont recover the money you have spent and in addition you will have brokerage fees (unless you sell privately) and fees associated with your new purchase.

As you may remember I had a lousy start to the season and at one stage I thought about selling up, I'm now glad I didn't but the stress generated by the problems (and cost) was really outweighing the pleasure of boat ownership. It was the sages on here who really me think about it and in the end I decided I still loved my boat and it was a matter of just getting on with it.

Would you be happy with a smaller boat?

Martyn

PS The way things have been going I was waiting for Matt to get fed up of his Leopard. Applying Gludy's logic he should be giving it away with a chequefor about £250K (Only kidding Paul PLEASE don't reply on here we need to help Dave)








<hr width=100% size=1>Living the dream

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Damned if I do - Damned if I don't. Its the illogical side of me that loves the Windy. Its a great looking boat that goes and handles well - and in fact the engines themselves are only 5 years old (having been re-engined and LPG converted at the same time) and I bought it with that work already completed.

Its the mechanical peripherals that let me down - not to mention the new petrol tank, cos the old one burst (start of my problems).

Xenopus also has given me a clue in that where he does his boating, the sea can cut up rough - well its like that here in Porthmadog (Llyn Peninsular) and the difference in waterline length (let alone design) has allowed me to do a considerable amount of boating inspite of a lousy summer.

One last illogical thought. On my return to harbour, I passed the club commodore's Westerly Falcon, with my eldest daughter and some friends on his boat, having a go at sailing for a change. We were wind over tide and coming in over the bar with 6ft waves. The commodore's comment to my daughter as they saw the Windy punching holes through these waves was "your Dad's boat is an awesome machine". Can't see the words "awesome machine" being applied to a Beneteau Fisher some how....maybe I'll just spend some more dosh and see how next season goes...

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[Dave_Snelson]

Wise words Martyn - and maybe I was just sounding off. It doesn't help that blasted Volvo charge such unreasonable prices for everything.

On balance, I think I will persevere. Now then, where's my building society pass book....oh dear, SWMBO has hidden it.

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[jhr]

I knew you'd see sense! But seriously, I think you're right. The Beneteau is a perfectly good boat, but it ain't a Windy, and I bet you'd be spending a lot of your time thinking "the Windy wouldn't have pitched/rolled/stuffed into a wave/etc. like that", if you were to get one.

I remember your posting about the petrol tank; scary stuff, but (and in spite of what I said in my first posting) there can't be that much more to go wrong. Can there? /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[omega2]

Just what I was thinking, we borrowed an Antares 27, and the thing nearly shook our eyeballs out, stick to it and keep smiling, no one I know has a trouble free boat we just don't talk about it.

<hr width=100% size=1>J HAMER

 

[Wiggo]

Re: It\'s a boat, man!

Dave, it's a boat: things go wrong all the time. What makes you think that a new boat will have fewer things break than the Windy? We have a 2001 boat now, but sold a 1996 boat earlier in the year. We have had as many breakages/failures on the new as the old one. And we were under warranty, as we bought from Sealine. Makes no difference, really, it's a matter of staying on top of things. You learn about the boat and the engines from experience and others, and that teaches you the things that need ongoing attention.

There will come a time when you've been over and repaired/serviced/renewed every major component and system, and then it's just regular maintenance.

As an example, so far this year, this is the list of stuff I've done on the F37 - some was handled under warranty, but it still needed to be done:

test all 6 and replace 3 batteries (me, but paid for under warranty)
repair/replace stbd alternator (warranty)
repair stbd alternator twice (me, after the repair above)
repair holding tank sensor (me)
replace macerator (me, arguing about warranty)
replace all holding tank hoses (me)
repair cracked galley worktop (warranty, but not done yet as parts took 6 months to arrive)
repair/replace leaking galley tap (me)
repair immersion heater (me)

The year before, the 8 year old boat needed the port trim pump wiring connectors stripping and cleaning, and apparently they decided to replace the head gaskets after taking her in on part-ex.

At a guess, the costs would have been about equal.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[martynwhiteley]

Know how you feel Dave, and perhaps end of season blues doesn't help either.

I was determined after having two 'oldish' boats with an endless 'to do' list that I wanted something newer, even if a bit smaller, to avoid the endless refurbishment, and expense, and have to say I'm much happier with a newer boat, saved about £5K (will pay for a lot of petrol!), and to be honest, nowt much needs doing on it, at least not desperately.

A lot depends on what use you want out of it, but all logic aside, do you love it? or has the magic gone? If you're at the position where a young slim French babe turns your head away from the Windy, then perhaps a trial separation?

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[Dave_Snelson]

Re: It\'s a boat, man!

I guess you and the others are right Graham. If it has to live its life in salt water, then its going to knacker quicker.

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[Wiggo]

Re: It\'s a boat, man!

Once you're on top of it, not much actually seems to break on a boat - if it stops working, it's usually worked loose or fallen off entirely. If it's electrical, it's probably gone rusty.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[Renegade_Master]

Hi Dave, got my first glimpse and trial of a Windy today. Never seen one in the flesh strangely. This was one a broker friend had just sold and we had to get it to and from the lift out for a hull check. Looks a great hull to me very deep V.

The finish and fit out also looks good and the lines very sexy. Oh what was it now.... ah yes a 37ft Grand Mistral I believe. Went for a song too. Hang on in there Clive

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[tcm]

hum, of course i have thought of dumping the boat, but it may take ages to sell anyway. Praps i will advertise it for stupid money, so I sort am selling it,. but not really. And i spose i have mostly "done it" with that boat, sort of - but then... it is quite fab. But then, erm, dunno. Really and truly, with daft things like boats and big cars, you just buyem, and then sellem when sick of them. Simple really. But us brits (esp northerners) feel that's a total selfish waste, and you bought it so you can damn well enjoy it etc.

For dave, tho, the answer is to keep the boat, and bill everyone who toldim to keep it when the next thing goes wrong.

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[Renegade_Master]

ermm........ stop waffling man. All this procrastination you should join the Libs/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[itsonlymoney]

Dave
I may be a little contreversial in my reply considering most peoples train of thought, however.
I beleive that once this type of negative thought pattern enters your head you wont get rid of it untill you act on it. You obviously have some concerns and maybe you should take note of your initial feeling because it may be correct.
If the answer is not clear let me clarify, I think you should have a look around at your options before making a final decision.
Sorry but you did ask for opinions on the matter.
Ian

Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !