Winter dilemma

[[33964]]

So it's that time of year again and the boat is out for a while this winter.

As I sit here doing the work list my mind wonders to such large ticket items such as:

- new engine - the 7 hp volvo is never enough but still works most of the time if I take it gentle

- standing rigging - have had the boat 5 years now and have no idea when it was last done but all looks OK and the local rigger checks it every year

- skin fittings - they look OK, well all except the sink gate valve which weeped a bit before a small tweak, and they get plenty of exercise as I am one of those "shut them off every time " types.

- upholstery - 35 years old and only the pilot berth under the chart table has any degree of comfortable foam, but my trusty thermarest helps out elsewhere

- new sail drive seal - yes, I know it should be every 7 years, but really......

- rudder bearings - the play doesn't seem any worse, but is there a hidden problem waiting to bite me in the bum?

- New Main & No 2 Genoa - they could (probably will) do another season, but they are beginning (well, not really beginning actually if truth be told) to look like my granny's bloomers

Or will she sit there, with the appearance of being unloved and forgotten until about 2 weeks before launch when the usual mad dash starts?

And is any of the above really worth while in a boat that at best is worth £15k?

 

[SteveTibbetts]

I was just having similar thoughts, but about the impeller.. Brand new about 5 running hours ago. Do I really need to change it for another that will look exactly the same but cost me nearly £30?
Well, I have a brand new one as a spare so I'll swap it with that. Can't see me buying another new one for a spare though.

 

[Topcat47]

I swithered for years wondering if I could justify the cost of a parasail. I eventually did buy it and I don't regret a penny. I reckon I wasted a lot of oportunities for serious fun worrying about the money. There are no pockets in shrouds.

 

[Tranona]

So it's that time of year again and the boat is out for a while this winter.

As I sit here doing the work list my mind wonders to such large ticket items such as:

- new engine - the 7 hp volvo is never enough but still works most of the time if I take it gentle

- standing rigging - have had the boat 5 years now and have no idea when it was last done but all looks OK and the local rigger checks it every year

- skin fittings - they look OK, well all except the sink gate valve which weeped a bit before a small tweak, and they get plenty of exercise as I am one of those "shut them off every time " types.

- upholstery - 35 years old and only the pilot berth under the chart table has any degree of comfortable foam, but my trusty thermarest helps out elsewhere

- new sail drive seal - yes, I know it should be every 7 years, but really......

- rudder bearings - the play doesn't seem any worse, but is there a hidden problem waiting to bite me in the bum?

- New Main & No 2 Genoa - they could (probably will) do another season, but they are beginning (well, not really beginning actually if truth be told) to look like my granny's bloomers

Or will she sit there, with the appearance of being unloved and forgotten until about 2 weeks before launch when the usual mad dash starts?

And is any of the above really worth while in a boat that at best is worth £15k?

Sounds like you have a typical old boat. Replace the bits you think are just about to fail, plus spend what spare cash you have on bits that make you feel good and go sailing next year. Or, offload the boat onto somebody else and buy something that is not so old and worn out - but then you will just have the same dilemma but at a different level.

 

[rob2]

Time to roll out a repair/replacement schedule, then. I know, I've written the same list every year and all the pricey items move onto next year's list time after time.

I greatly sympathise about the engine, I want a new one but no funds available.

Skin fittings - well worth stripping gate valves, many people dislike them but it sounds by their age as if you have genuine bronze ones and they can be stripped and checked whilst you're out of the water. Any sign of loss of material or zimc depletion and they need replacing.

New sails are wonderful! Such a joy to be able to trim the shape, depowering in higher winds and inducing fullness for light conditions and all the time with more driveless heel and less leeway.

Not qualified to comment on the saildrive seals, most people seem to go way over the recommended life. Saves a tremendous anount if you can replace them yourself. Get some friends to help heave the engine about.

Upholstery is very personal. We once got together a group of friends - one could operate a sewing machine (piped seams!), one could supply foam blocks and I did project management (cop out). We stuck the blocks together and carved them to shape with an electric carving knife then zipped the new covers on. Mmm, nice...!

Standing rigging - I replaced mine at 18 years.

Rudder bearings? I guess yu will have a cold time this winter dropping the rudder to have a look before you can make that decision.

Rob.

 

[William_H]

Maintenance

I guess in the end it is up to you regarding what causes the most worry when you are out there.
I would definitely replace the shrouds. Forestay not so much of a concern as it is backed up by jib halyard.
Backstay is backed up by main sail itself but a sudden failure of cap or intermediate side stays means broken mast in a fraction of a second. They simply fail on calender life regardless of use abuse or otherwise and can not be usefully tested or examined.
I don't know about sail drive seals but if a failure is going to let the water in then that concern might start to spoil my sailing.
Likewise sea cocks although if you can remove and fully examine them then that would satisfy me.
Upholstery can be a good DIY project.
Rudder bearings if they can be examined well do so.
Sails are what they seem so you will buy new when you get the urge. good luck olewill

 

[Contest1]

Still working on last winters list.
Did manage to get some decent spares but had to return the alternator belt and cooling water pump impeller 3 times to get the right ones.
Currently working on the upholstery and had a good friend recover the cushions and seats in the saloon.
Wondering what the thermarest is as planning to tackle the v berth and sea berths this winter. Had a look online but there,s quite a variety of items under that name.

 

[wotayottie]

And is any of the above really worth while in a boat that at best is worth £15k?

Difficult to put into words this, but as a fully paid up Yorkshireman I know where you are coming from. It's difficult to sit at home in the warmth and comfort and spend serious money on boat maintenance. Problems seem so far away. But I was once caught out, in the bay of biscay as it happens. And when you are caught out you suddenly realise that a boat isnt like a car that can be parked at the side of the road when it breaks down. You are on your own at least until the RNLI arrives and that always takes some time.

So its easy to pay lip service to boat maintenance and then find you are in deep do-do and wishing you had done it for what then seems like a small cost.

To put it another way, dont look at it as spending money on a 15k boat but on your own priceless neck. Get the rigging and seacocks done.


P.S. I worked for 10 years or so at the UK's major stainless wire production plant in technical sales. I'm sure your rigger is good and conscientious but there is no way that he or anyone else including me can reliably say that your rigging is good for another year. Get it replaced

 

[sarabande]

playing risks and consequences with your list....

new engine - there are few times when for a comptetently crewed sailing boat with lots of PlanBs in stock, that an engine is critical. Low priority

- standing rigging - visual inspection picks up the , err, visible problems, but not those internal ones. Critical function if a bit breaks. High priority

- skin fittings - Generally containable with wooden plugs if you get a failure while on board. Medium priority, unless you service them yself.

- upholstery - unless there are social reasons to replace, these do not affect the sailing. Low priority.

- new sail drive seal - No fix possible if it gives way suddenly. High priority

- rudder bearings - close visual inspection and tracking any deterioration should control this. Low priority.

- New Main & No 2 Genoa - t. They work ? Just keep an eye open on ebay for someone selling at a good value. Low priority.



ALl in my humble saily opinion of course

 

[Lodesman77]

So which one would lead to the greatest grief? That's right, get the rigging done...

.

 

[SailorBill]

playing risks and consequences with your list....

new engine - there are few times when for a comptetently crewed sailing boat with lots of PlanBs in stock, that an engine is critical. Low priority

- standing rigging - visual inspection picks up the , err, visible problems, but not those internal ones. Critical function if a bit breaks. High priority

- skin fittings - Generally containable with wooden plugs if you get a failure while on board. Medium priority, unless you service them yself.

- upholstery - unless there are social reasons to replace, these do not affect the sailing. Low priority.

- new sail drive seal - No fix possible if it gives way suddenly. High priority

- rudder bearings - close visual inspection and tracking any deterioration should control this. Low priority.

- New Main & No 2 Genoa - t. They work ? Just keep an eye open on ebay for someone selling at a good value. Low priority.



ALl in my humble saily opinion of course

I agree with all that except for the skin fittings. For me they are a High priority.

 

[Stemar]

I agree with all that except for the skin fittings. For me they are a High priority.

It's an old boat, so the skin fittings are very likely to be of a suitable material, rather than brass. If the innards are working fine, I'd give 'em each an annual strength check (a good welt with a rubber mallet) and if they break, they're high priority, otherwise low. You may want to do this while the boat's out of the water...

As for the engine, a lot depends on the mix of boat, crew and, especially location. Trying to get in or out of Portsmouth harbour without an engine during a busy weekend on a regular basis would have me on Prozac in short order Do you have a decent outboard for the dinghy? If so, an outboard bracket on the back of your boat could be a cheap way of getting a plan B if the donk doesn't want to play, or simply needs a hand to punch a tide.

Finally, upholstery. I recently changed the foam in the forepeak for around £120. I bought a rectangle of relflex foam online (not memory foam, which seems to be a bit of a marmite proposition - we both hated the old memory foam topped mattress we had) and cut it to shape with a wood saw, though an electric carving knife does a better job. The difference this made to the way we sleep on board meant it was worth every penny.

 

[rob2]

Yes, forgot to mention - I once crewed for a friend to get his Co26 out of Portsmouth Harbour after the Vire engine failed. We used a hard dinghy, but an inflatable is actually easier as it needs no fenders. The old Seagull powered us home to Emmsworth towing alongside, although refuelling was a bit bumpy! QHM was most obliging and advised when we should make the attempt, so as to avoid ship movements and advised we should try to stay in the small craft channel unless the tide was more advantageous elsewhere (nice guy).

Rob.

 

[BAtoo]

Whats critical on your list?

Standing Rigging - yes, especially as no one is able to tell you its really ok - I'd do it.

Whats going to give you most pleasure?

New sails - I'd do that too.


The rest I'd do when essential & check every year anyway

 

[prv]

Standing Rigging - yes, especially if no one is able to tell you its really ok - I'd do it.
New sails - I'd do that too.

I'd put the saildrive membrane on there too if it's really old. If I was trying to save money I would carry it beyond the published life, but you don't want to push it too far. Is yours just over the 7 year deadline, or is it as old as the boat?

Seems that rig and saildrive are the potential catastrophic failures (I've experienced a lost through-hull at sea and while it was certainly exciting I wouldn't call it catastrophic). So they really ought to be the priorities. And a lost rig is unlikely to drown you.

Is there a known way of fixing a split saildrive membrane at sea?

Pete

 

[aslabend]

Whats critical on your list?

Standing Rigging - yes, especially as no one is able to tell you its really ok - I'd do it.

Whats going to give you most pleasure?

New sails - I'd do that too.


The rest I'd do when essential & check every year anyway

+1 for the new sail, my old main was a saggy, baggy old hector and flapped constantly. Oh the joy when I had a new one made, sailing was transformed.

 

[Tranona]

Is there a known way of fixing a split saildrive membrane at sea?

Never heard of a saildrive diaphragm failing at sea - nor indeed any kind of failure. Not sure how any repair would work as presumably if it did leak it would be a split in the (very thick) rubber.

 

[prv]

Never heard of a saildrive diaphragm failing at sea - nor indeed any kind of failure.

True, neither have I. However, the manufacturers presumably consider it a risk to some degree or they wouldn't tell people to change them.

Pete

 

[[33964]]

Thanks all for the suggestions - rigging it is and maybe finally the saildrive. Now what about those gucci taps......

 

[Mudisox]

Perhaps a common occurrence.

The points raised have all been covered individually and to their author's view point but I find it interesting that probably we all have a revolving "Things to do List" that doesn't get any shorter.
Most of mine don't actually stop me from going to sea.
No engine? we existed without one before, and took more time to get to wherever we wanted to go to. Maybe late- life threatening - no.
Same principles apply throughout, - my moveable item has been "Make the windspeed thingy work" - It has been on my list for some 4 years now! And as for "clean out the anchor locker"------------------

As for costs that we all think we can't afford, I'd rather spend it on harbour dues and stores, --------as I cruise.