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2005 - 2006
The First Year
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In the Navy there is a term used for performing maintenance on an older boat to bring back up to standards and extending it's service life, and I think it applies here. I put her through a S.L.E.P. (service life extension program). It was basically catching up on neglected maintenance, previously botched repairs, and some updating of systems that were long over due for updating. The result was taking a boat that was showing it's 20 years of age and bringing it back to near new condition. I'm far from done, but I feel I have a much more livable and sea worthy boat. All the critical systems have at least been inspected. Vital systems and safety equipment have been repaired or updated. I've learned a lot, and realize there is much more to learn. I'm just glad it's time to enjoy the boat for a while the way she was meant to be enjoyed, with water under her keel, wind in her sails and friends onboard.The list of those I need to thank for their help over the last year is long. I've linked to most of the places where I've gained knowledge or obtained parts, but in each of these places are people with whom I have interacted, received advice, or who have simply kept my spirits up by encouraging me and by complementing me on my (Ha!) skill, results, or methods. (Apparently, my means to an end are not always conventional by the reaction of some of the folks that have been looking over my shoulder.) A little advice I'd like to throw out there after getting into this... My intention when I pulled Acephalous out of the water was to paint the bottom, and "maybe" above the water line. Once out of the water, thru-hulls needed attention. the keel was cracked, the propeller shaft was junk, the cutlass bearing was junk, there were botched repairs that needed to be fixed... the list goes on... The bottom line: never assume anything. When you buy a 20 year old boat, understand you are more than likely buying a project boat. I know there are older boats in much better shape than this one was, there are certainly some that are worse, but, if you're expecting a new boat... you might want to shop for new boats. Your surveyor will find many of the existing problems, but unless you've got super surveyor on your payroll, they're only spending a day or two on the boat. They're not going to find everything. However, a reputable, experienced, and competent surveyor should be able to give you an idea of the "overall condition" of your boat. Don't get caught up in the emotion of "getting the boat now" or buying because it "looks good". Teak is fairly easy to maintain, anyone can keep the interior clean... but, who was doing the real maintenance on the systems... propulsion, electrical, plumbing, sanitation, etc.? Pretty doesn't mean maintained. Now, if like me, you were looking for a fixer-upper; make sure you have the skills, are capable of learning the skills, and are equipped with enough humility to ask for help when you need it. But, above all else, you must have patients if you want success. There are very few projects on a boat which can be rushed. When you decide to start your project, have twice the budget, and twice the time you expect to spend. Once you start most of these projects there is no turning back, there are no significant short cuts (if you want it done right), and there are no discount sailboat parts shops (trust me on this, I've been looking). Doing it yourself will save you thousands of dollars, but you must be capable of doing it. Do your research and learn everything you can about the project you're getting ready to do. A little research won't make you an expert, but will soften the blow if you run into problems. When you do it yourself the sense of accomplishment is great, and you know the work is done right. So go for it, that boat isn't going to fix or maintain itself. When you become a little over whelmed remember Rome wasn't built in a day, and the old African proverb; How do you eat an elephant? The answer: One bite at a time. If you don't have patients, you may want to reconsider the sailboat and buy a powerboat. Tim Allen from Tool Time once said, "All jobs have two things in common. They all need to be done, and they all need to be done well." I don't know if a truer statement has ever been uttered concerning boat repair, where every system has a purpose, and must function.
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The totals... In the Water: Water Heater- $370.00 Cabinet Doors- $60.00 L.E.D. Lighting- $370.00 Smoke/Carbon Monoxide detector- $30.00 Fire extinguishers: $80.00 Flares: $120.00 Stairs/engine compartment- $70.00 Storage above Sink- $150.00 Running Rigging- $220.00 Wood Removal- $80.00 Re-bed Topside Fixtures- $40.00 Head- $200.00 Water Saver Shower: $120.00 Re-plumb: $170.00 Lazy-Jack: $60.00 Cushions: $300.00 Rub-Rail: $220.00
Out of the Water: Marina: Haul out $1.75/ft - $60.00 Installing the stands: $60.00 Pressure washing- $40.00 Storage $0.40/foot/day- $1,390.00 Put back in water $1.75/ft- $60.00 Stands/Repositioning- $60.00 Projects: Painting- $1600.00 Thru-hulls- $810.00 Hull repair- $300.00 Propulsion system- $1,340.00 Grand Total: $11,080 This is a pretty close estimate of this years cost to get her seaworthy and looking like new. Time to go sailing! If I've done my part correctly there should be no more major expenses for a while, just routine maintenance. We'll see.....
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