Swanrad2
Well-Known Member
Evening,
For those who followed my MD11c centaur refit saga this winter, thanks for the help and advice. We launched yesterday and it all worked (one minor exception and working on that). We are on our mooring (well the boat is, I'm at work).
Special mention to Holman rigging who supplied the standing rigging, got it wrong and replaced the lot really quickly and at their own cost. You judge a business by how it responds when stuff goes wrong - exemplary in this case.
PD Rigging also top quality and a good price.
Les, my mechanic mate and Gordon the mechanic (Mon Mobile) - excellent for the bits I couldn't do.
ABC Power Marine - nice fellas (and lady).
Practical Boat Owner forum - brilliant!
Happy man and far more educated as to how the boat works than I was before we started.
Next winter we make the thing cosier still.
Main lessons learned:
1. Start by taking the engine out - its just easier (if possible)
2. It will cost more than you think
3. It will take longer than you think
4. If you buy the boat from somone who impresses you with their DIY skills - dont be afraid to change stuff or upgrade it, it's your boat now and they probably weren't that good anyway.
5. There are some bits you shouldn't do - figure out what they are and don't do them!
I could be wrong with my main lessons - I have been wrong about much else along the way but I will stick with one; the single best way to learn how to maintain and improve a boat and its engine is to renovate the lot or be an experienced boat builder/engineer/electrician.
All written with a smile on my face because, tomorrow I am sailing and not polishing!
Thanks again to all those who chipped in - my MD11C sounds like a purry dumper truck (a good thing) and emits water like a racehorse from the right place.
For those who followed my MD11c centaur refit saga this winter, thanks for the help and advice. We launched yesterday and it all worked (one minor exception and working on that). We are on our mooring (well the boat is, I'm at work).
Special mention to Holman rigging who supplied the standing rigging, got it wrong and replaced the lot really quickly and at their own cost. You judge a business by how it responds when stuff goes wrong - exemplary in this case.
PD Rigging also top quality and a good price.
Les, my mechanic mate and Gordon the mechanic (Mon Mobile) - excellent for the bits I couldn't do.
ABC Power Marine - nice fellas (and lady).
Practical Boat Owner forum - brilliant!
Happy man and far more educated as to how the boat works than I was before we started.
Next winter we make the thing cosier still.
Main lessons learned:
1. Start by taking the engine out - its just easier (if possible)
2. It will cost more than you think
3. It will take longer than you think
4. If you buy the boat from somone who impresses you with their DIY skills - dont be afraid to change stuff or upgrade it, it's your boat now and they probably weren't that good anyway.
5. There are some bits you shouldn't do - figure out what they are and don't do them!
I could be wrong with my main lessons - I have been wrong about much else along the way but I will stick with one; the single best way to learn how to maintain and improve a boat and its engine is to renovate the lot or be an experienced boat builder/engineer/electrician.
All written with a smile on my face because, tomorrow I am sailing and not polishing!
Thanks again to all those who chipped in - my MD11C sounds like a purry dumper truck (a good thing) and emits water like a racehorse from the right place.
