What I've learned in 2 weeks week of boat ownership

[dkroar]

Originally Posted by Joyful Noise

Mostly agree but I would interpose "make the boat sail well as item three" and, regretfully, push "pretty" down to number four

Okay...I can go with that....sigh (I'll just have to be more sneaky)

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by FlippedPip

Okay, so it's been an interesting couple of weeks with our first boat. The interior refurb is going well, I'll have some photos once the good lady wife has finished moving all the cushions around

When we got the keys we sat and wrote a few lists:

• Things that HAD to be done.
• Things we need to get done.
• Things we would like to get done in time
• Items we need to purchase
• Items we would like to purchase in time

We also had an aprox budget for most items.

What I have learned in my short time of boat ownership is any list that you write out, multiply that list by about 3, and double up on the budget.

But I have to say we are loving every moment of the 'experience' so far. I'm leaning more and more every day about the boat, electronics and finding out what does what.

Can't wait to get her out on the sea. Hopefully early next week.

Anyway, off for another day of sanding I go

Boat work, compared to automotive work in a well equipped workshop, often takes a magnitude (10×) longer in terms of elapsed time.

Once you have the right mix of tools, spares, materiel, test equipment and skills then you can reduce the time consumed markedly.

Documenting things that you don't do frequently will help to avoid having to learn something next time.

The key is to burn down corrective maintenance as quick as you can. Then you can tackle enhancements and preventative maintenance and even go sailing.

Every day I try to complete 2 maintenance tasks. Mostly they are simple. The goal is always to sail more.


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[angelfish2]

Originally Posted by dkroar

First you make the boat safe.
Second you make the boat comfortable.
Third you make the boat pretty.

This is what we have been attempting to do. (I sneak in a pretty now and again...shhhh)

I agree with this list! Right now we are in the middle of number 1 and number 2 in refitting our IP 32. Making the boat sail well was part of number 1 (new sails and running rigging), for example.

But, but, but, I have so many cool ideas for the "pretty" part! I think it is like the expectation of dessert after the main meal.

However, the joy must be in the journey.

[buzzstar]

To loosely paraphrase a former US Secretary of Defense: there are also things you do not know you do not know, but need, may need, or will need. Then add after each use of the word, "need," the words, "to do."

[Jim Cate]

Jim's rule of boat job time estimating: make a very conservative estimate of how long it SHOULD take to do the job. Double the number. Move up one unit.

Example: the job should take three hours. Doubling gets you to six hours. Move up one unit, making the real estimated time six days.

Works for me.

Enjoy!

Jim

[FlippedPip]

Originally Posted by dkroar

First you make the boat safe.
Second you make the boat comfortable.
Third you make the boat pretty.

Cheers guys and girls.

We have a slightly different agenda with our boat than a lot of people.

Firstly the boat has to be pretty inside as we'll be having Airbnb guest staying a few nights a month to cover the cost of Barcelona mooring fees. That why the interior is getting done at the moment.

Getting her safe. The main things have been taken care of, although there are still some things I would like to get done for piece of mind.

Making her comfortable. Lucky she came in good shape and all areas had comfort, and now and the good lady has finished pillaging all the interior shops, we now have a hint of luxury.Well as much as can be accomplished on a 30 year old boat...

The second phase is to get her ready for chartering. We have a property management business her for touristic rentals and in a couple of months once it warms up and I've a couple of things done, we'll be taking guests out for a few hours to see Barcelona from the sea, have a swim and some tapas.

That's the master plan as things stand.

Originally Posted by davewtsnape

What I learnt is that I need to move to a warmer climate

Living in Barcelona, so I've got that one covered

[FlippedPip]

Originally Posted by Dave Lochner

Blue masking tape is your friend. Tan masking tape, not so much.

Enlighten me... why blue masking tape? I only ask as I've been finding a shed load in various places and wondered why the blue? Thanks,

[boatpoker]

"Lists" kill ..... Years ago our list hit five single spaced pages and the frustration was palpable. We decreed "No more Lists". Now, I pick a project, my wife picks a project and when those two are done we pick again. Discussion of future projects is prohibited. Much less depressing than a five page list.

The blue tape can be removed easily after days. The tan tape becomes almost permanent and will require solvents to remove

[Sailshabby]

The first 90% of the restoration will take 90% of your budget and time. The last 10% will take an additional 90% of both....

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Sailshabby

The first 90% of the restoration will take 90% of your budget and time. The last 10% will take an additional 90% of both....

Well put and quite accurate. Only those who have done it will believe it however.

[FlippedPip]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

"The blue tape can be removed easily after days. The tan tape becomes almost permanent and will require solvents to remove

Thanks.....Blue tape purchased yesterday. Hope the triple price compared to brown is worth it

[El Pinguino]

I reckon green tape is the go... but make sure you get the right green tape.

My job list was enough to fill an A4 page, is enough just now to fill an A4 sheet, and will always be enough to fill an A4 sheet.... nature abhors a vacuum....

[GPSocal]

Flipped
Keep your great attitude and enjoy the boating life.

[Dave Lochner]

Originally Posted by FlippedPip

Enlighten me... why blue masking tape? I only ask as I've been finding a shed load in various places and wondered why the blue? Thanks,

The blue tape can withstand UV and does not become one with the surface, it is easily removed after a few days or weeks.

Not all blue tape is equal, but most are better than tan.

3M is probably the best and the most expensive. Look for words like "safe-release" or long lasting. You'll also find that it won't pull the paint off walls at home.

Worth the extra money when you consider the time spent cleaning up.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Don't buy anything for the boat in the first year.

Then in 1 year you will find you didn't need it anyway.

A lot of truth to this!