Boatyard ventures (aka I'm and idiot and other pointless gripes.)

[Amgine]

So, sailed the boat down to Anacortes to get repairs. Last summer (2007, not the one about to end) we wrapped the dinghy painter while setting the anchor. Yes, it was my fault for not checking where the dinghy was, etc. Something was certainly damaged, with max speed under power down 20%.

What with one thing and another, the boat didn't get pulled last fall. Nor did it happen this spring. It was in the plans, we'd even budgeted money for it, it just didn't happen 'cuz we didn't budget time for it. And we only took the boat out once or twice, motoring as little as possible...

So, finally decided to take a break from the bizzy life and get the boat fixed. Sitting so long in the Indian Arm there was a fringe of mussels despite the bottom paint, and it took forever to motor out to open water. Even under sail it was a dog's run down to US waters, motor sailing with too much sail up to get hull speed.

After getting to the boatyard the mechanic came out to run the engine in situ, to see how bad the vibration was. Tested out fine, so we pushed it over to the lift and hauled it out. And there was no prop when it cleared the water.

No, really, it had been there 5 minutes before. But, it was gone. (There's a diver down there now, looking for it.)

The shaft was pink, and showing amazing corrosion after a year without zincs.

So, a new prop is ordered, a new shaft being milled, and everything aft of the coupler has been torn apart and needs replacing. Moral of the story: do not delay repairs - they only get more expensive. ::grumble::

[Pblais]

Moral of the story: do not delay repairs - they only get more expensive.

It's terrible to have to learn things you already know. Those are the things I always feel the worst about. Things you really didn't know about hurt but somehow don't seem as embarrassing.

Next time maybe you can learn something you already know that is cheap. It seems I always remember the cheap things you are supposed to do.

[Zach]

Can't ask for a better place to lose a prop!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Amgine,
I kind of thought you might be having boat issues. I haven't seen as many posts from you lately. You didn't show up here in Hilo last summer either!
Sorry to hear about the drive train. Hope you can find your prop and it is an ok thing to be at a berth when it happens. It could have been much worse.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[Ex-Calif]

Mechanics morals.

There is never time to fix it right, but always time to fix it again.

There is never enough time/money to do preventative maintenance but there is always extra time/money to repair the damage.

I fix it - $100. I fix it after you try $150. You help me $200.

Making a minor adjustment to your (charging system, cooling system, engine system, refrigeration system) $10. Knowing what to adjust $90.

[GordMay]

Not at all a "pointless gripe"; but an important reiteration/reinforcement of common wisdom. A good object lesson for those habitually seeking the "easy way".
See also my signature line.