Spares are a huge problem. When I was in the army, we had a demand-based system. So many demands for a spare in a certain time frame established a basis to stock that part. When one thinks of what one "could" need, well, we all will be towing a barge of
parts behind us unless we get a better system
I think we have to use a demand
history and common sense. And the cost of stocking spares will also get one's attention. I have a Moody
boat like Dockhead, a well-built
boat, and my manual
bilge pump failed last month. I test it monthly, so I knew it went bad before an
emergency arose. A Whale Gusher, so I bought the kit and rebuilt it. A failed gray
water pump is not the same urgency as a failed
bilge pump. Like Dockhead, I have two gray
water pumps, so I could move to another part of the boat for my
shower. But I have not bought a second kit for the
bilge pump. The original lasted 14 years.
But--I might. I don't have answers. Logisticians have spent years trying to get the balance between what are necessary spares, the cost of spares, the consequences of failure, and the ability to carry spares, correct. I know how many millions Uncle Sam has spent to no avail. Got to use the age of your boat, your experience, and knowledge of your boat, coupled with your ability to improvise and fix. Even if you could afford to by every spare you might need, you cannot carry it. Got to keep room for the booze, you know. Not easy answers or checklists.
But--you can really help yourself by keeping a computer-based inventory on what you have and where it is. I will never admit to how many
parts I have bought only to find, "damn, I already have that one."
This is a worthy topic.