What's a SWIMBO and should I have one?

[JoeQ]

What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

Hi folks,

Just wondered what a SWIMBO is? I keep seeing it mention in the forums and wondered if I should have one or not? If so what should I look for and where would be a good place to find one? Are there maintenance issues to consider? What if I decide SWIMBO isn't for me, are they easily disposed of?



Joe

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[dralex]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

Definately get one- they have all sorts of uses on the boat, depending on how patronising you want to be. Mine does all the navigation that's too complicated for my simple mind- better than a chart plotter and far warmer in bed.


She Who Must Be Obeyed

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[Nickel]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

Another hearty recommendation. They are a crucial accessory really - and the best bit is, if you treat them well, they can last a lifetime! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Nickel

Being paranoid simply means - having all the facts.

 

[Bejasus]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

commonly known in your location as ra missus, or 'Haw Hen'.
As in 'Haw Hen, grab ra handheld an sees it ower here'.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Ships_Cat]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

<<<What if I decide SWIMBO isn't for me, are they easily disposed of?>>>

Yes, as long as you have only borrowed someone elses SWMBO.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[Evadne]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

>>are there maintenance issues to consider?<<

You bet! Especially if you're foolish enough to want to change models.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[beachbum]

Is there a gap in the market?

I've looked at a lot of websites, and it seems to be impossible to buy a boat, new or used, power or sail, with a SWMBO ready-fitted. Is there some technical reason for this?

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Nobody is perfect.
I am nobody.
Therefore I am perfect.</font size=1> /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[Evadne]

Re: Is there a gap in the market?

Well for a start, a lot of boat buyers prefer a HWMO, but I suspect the problem for boat manufacturers is obtaining a supply of consistent and reliable SWMBOs. Then there's the problem of what to do with the one you've already got, should one come ready fitted to the boat. Incidentally I've never come across a SWMO, I presume they are too difficult to get hold of?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Clive_Rigden]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

Pray, do forgive my ignorance but what's the difference between a "SWIMBO" and a "SWMBO" ?

<hr width=100% size=1>Khyber

 

[dralex]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

SWIMBO is more demanding- she who instantly must be obeyed, as opposed to having a cup of tea first.

Getting a bit dodgy here after yesterdays goings on.

<hr width=100% size=1>Just enjoy it.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Re: Is there a gap in the market?

They don't come ready-fitted with the boat, they're an aftermarket option. You'll find it very easy to get one to fit any yacht that's 70ft plus, but below about 25ft they can be more difficult to find.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

Try looking for one on the Wanted board. Say that you have a cabin on a 2 week cruise in the Caribbean, to see if any ladies would like to fill the space.

I bet you will get a response or two. Go on, give it a try.

<hr width=100% size=1>I can't be bothered with a footnote - it's usually rubbish anyway.

 

[tome]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

Sun, sex and frollicking?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[piscosour]

Re: Is there a gap in the market?

On larger more up-market yachts there is scope to have one automatically screwed to the master berth in the luxuriously appointed after stateroom. On small sruffy boats I'm afraid it's hand cranking.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Lightnup]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

You might also want to investigate disposable SWMBOs. They are quite handy if you prefer to avoid the commitment of installing a permanent model. When they become unreliable or begin to require an unreasonable level of maintenance, they can be easily abandoned in favor of another disposable model. One caution: because they are not permanent, there is a better chance yours might be pilfered by another skipper just when you are becoming attached to it.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Evadne]

Re: Is there a gap in the market?

When I first bought my boat my (non-sailing) sister asked "Does it have a sundeck?"
If the answer is yes then you should have a choice of SWMBO's.
(P.S. sister is still waiting for a HWMO that can afford to pay for her lifestyle.)

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Clive_Rigden]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

A friend of mine disposed of his permanent model and the bloody thing took half the boat with it !!!
/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Khyber

 

[Becky]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

Well, some sailors are living very dangerously, it would seem. I can imagine several hard disks being hidden from wives until this thread vanishes into the annals of SB history.
'A big yacht with a SWMBO screwed into place'; I should coco!! Some of you would run a mile faced with a really sexy vamp. And the others would have long since lost the ability to run anyway.
'My SWMBO does all the navigating'; women often are very good navigators. On a rally last year Richard and I met a lady whose husband had sadly passed on. Far from retiring to her garden and going to seed, she sold their power boat (a Broom if I remember correctly), and bought a bigger one, of an American design not known to me. She had everything a woman would need, mains electricity throughout, decent cooker and dishwasher, nice colour-coordinated fenders and warps, lovely colours for the uphostery, drapes and bed-linen and she could take her boat anywhere.
On a personal note, I tend to do the fiddly bits of maintainance as I think my hands are steadier than Richard's. But he does the wiring because he is an electrical engineer. However I am very frustrated at the moment -I have 7 stitches in the middle finger (no laughter or rude comments please) of my right hand, so I am very temporarily incapacitated. I had to have a bit of surgery to remove a lump. It is times like this that SB is such a comfort to us poor women.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[dralex]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

Before you lump me in with the worlds male chauvanists, there are no defined roles on our boat. The fact my wife does all the navigating is because she's good at it, and this is just how it happens on our boat- my main role seems to be as deck donkey- she has sailed for as long as I have and is just as experienced. It's never about SWMBO and HWMO, just about having a great time on OUR boat. I must say though, there are a large number of couples out there who live up to the stereotypes, but as long as they both get wahy they want from it, what the hell.

Not a go at you Becky /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Just enjoy it.

 

[Becky]

Re: What\'s a SWIMBO and should I have one?

Don't worry, I was just impressed, that is all. Amid so much talk about sailing women from people whose imaginations are more developed than their appreciation of reality (now I really had to search for a safe wording there!), it was nice to read of a sensible balance of labour on a boat./forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>