[NYCAP123]

Originally Posted by PeterSmall

If a detailed, yet simple to follow, set of instructions are created, preferably with photographs to show grease points, valves to be exercised etc. are created then it boils down to finding someone who is able and willing to follow these instructions on a regular basis.

Bingo Peter,
I think you hit on the answer I was looking for. When I work with a new owner I go through the boat stem to stern as hopefully the dealer does also. I go over normal maintenance proceedures that the owner has to take care of, but I know it usually falls on deaf ears.
I'm now going to suggest to the dealers or the owners that they put together or hire someone to put together a follow the numbers book with pictures for the maintenance of their boat that anyone can follow and suggest they hire a kid for generally about one (1) hour a week to do things like wipe down the bilge, CRC metal parts, check fluids, etc.

[PeterSmall]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

Bingo Peter,
I think you hit on the answer I was looking for. When I work with a new owner I go through the boat stem to stern as hopefully the dealer does also. I go over normal maintenance proceedures that the owner has to take care of, but I know it usually falls on deaf ears.
I'm now going to suggest to the dealers or the owners that they put together or hire someone to put together a follow the numbers book with pictures for the maintenance of their boat that anyone can follow and suggest they hire a kid for generally about one (1) hour a week to do things like wipe down the bilge, CRC metal parts, check fluids, etc.

We are currently working with a couple of yacht builders doing exactly that and talking to more to try to get them to buy into the concept. When a new boat is finished, we go on board and catalogue every item that needs regular maintenance, including mechanical, electrical, deck and safety equipment and put together a schedule with detailed, but easy to follow, instructions and photographs of the actual equipment on board.

However, this is mainly for boats over 60' (the majority using our system are in the 100' - 150' range), I suspect the cost could be prohibitive for smaller craft, although our system could be easily scaled down it still needs someone to go through all the equipment and produce the plan. However, there is no reason why we couldn't do a generic one for the smaller standard production boats and then effectively license it to them....food for thought.

[NYCAP123]

One of the boats I manage is a Viking Sport Cruiser (Princess). I must say she got one of the best manuals I've run into, but it's geared for me (not an engineer, but a fairly experienced captain). It's designed so we can troubleshoot problems, perform emergency repairs and more than just basic maintenance.
I'm thinking a 5 or 10 page Basic Boat Maintenance For Dummies with labeled photos of relevant areas of the individual boat that an owner can go over with his son or a dockhand in 5 minutes to explain the job. Hmmmmm.

[SeaEric]

I would submit that the yacht management team is the best way to go. I think that all the manuals and photos in the world will not encourage an owner to check engineroom stuff if he is just not inclined to do it.

I am the type of yacht owner who, on a regular basis, hires a mechanic to come aboard and check fluid levels in the engines and gen. They were aboard today in fact. I'm pleased to report that all was fine. For me, it makes sense to do this as I am not terribly mechanical. To have a pair of trained eyes in the engineroom on my boat, taking a general look around, tends to help me head off problems before they occur. While they are in there, I have them look at the steering fluid and pressure, and pick up on the bilge pump float switches to test each one.

I will happily do my own weekly wash job, but the mechanicals aboard my boat are left to the mechanics.

[NYCAP123]

Sea Eric,
You're absolutely right that some people just can't be saved from themselves. I'm thinking though about the guy who understands his investment, but just doesn't fully understand the consequences of failing to maintain his equipment.
What you hire that mechanic to do could be done by someone's 10 year old. Of course I'd rather have a mechanic checking my vessel, but if I won't or don't have someone for whatever reason ($125 per hour labor rate) that 10 year old can make sure my seacocks move, my oil level is right, my hoses aren't leaking and my belts aren't broken if it's explained to him or her in a way a 10 year old understands. They can tell you if they find an oil spot on the pad beneath your engine, and can spray some CRC if they know what to lubricate. The'll be thrilled to take on "grown-up" responsibility, and who knows what you'll create. Your boat may keep floating and the kid may learn there's a world beyond gameboy and Hannah Montana.
P.S. Before the lawyers start talking about child labor laws I'm talking about your kid or your neighbors or the dockhand. An enginroom check takes 5 minutes.

[clnewman]

NYCAP,

Perhaps you're missing a potential business opportunity staring you in the face. I'm one of those owners that doesn't always have time to do it myself, and I don't have a captain/crew. I've looked around and talked to various yacht "managers", and haven't been impressed. Most of the ones I've found here are brokers that manage boats as a sideline.

That said, I've been talking to my diesel mechanic, and we're putting together a business plan to form a full service yacht management company here in SoCal. Without boring everyone here with the details, it'll cater to not only the megayacht, but the 30' boat, too... all in differing service levels. Kind of like a Chinese Menu of services.

Perhaps something like this is worthy of your consideration back east.

[yachtbrokerguy]

One of the problems that many of these boats in the 40 to 60 foot range, is not really a lack of maintenance, but a lack of knowledge that maintenance is required.
Many buyers have only had one or two small boats and then they move up. As they get into yachts with more systems, they do not have the experience to know what to do, and reading the owners manual is much too time consuming.
Most boat yards in the US are so jammed in the spring, trying to get 75% of their work done in 25% of their time, they do only what the owners request, and the owner does not know what to request.
Education of the owners is the key, but it is hard to reach them.

Tucker Fallon CPYB

[NYCAP123]

Clnewman,
Believe me, my eyes are always open to opportunity,but I've reached a point in my life where money isn't real important. I'd rather see people smile. Guess I'm just an old hippie or else I've got a pretty good life.
You see, the problem is that those who would pay $100 or so per week for that service are, and those that aren't won't. I'm just trying to see people taken care of here, not start a new business. I've got all the work I can handle.
I know that kills some of you young turks out there, but in time you'll learn that you'll spend everything you earn no matter how much that is , and the amount won't affect your happiness.
Yachtbrokerguy,
If only that were the case: 1st time boater- 44 Carver; 1st time boater- 44 Sunseeker; 1st time boater- 51 Bertram; 1st time boater- 60 Sunseeker, and that's just a small sampling of the people I've taught in recent years. Whatever happened to starting out with a 14 or 16 footer and learning?

[clnewman]

It's not just the money... it's fulfilling a need. Granted, the profit motive is there, but it's not first and foremost... at least not in my mind. If we do this startup I mentioned, I'll be happy if it breaks even or shows a small loss.

I'd gladly pay $100 per "visit" (whatever frequency is desired/needed) to have somebody go through my boat, create a punch list of items that need attention, then present me with a list of contractors to fix the problems found, or have the "Manager" contract to have the work done, adding some profit at the end for taking on the responsibility/liability.

Chuck

[NYCAP123]

The problems I see with putting together such a business (at least around here) is that we're dealing with about 200 small marinas, each wanting a piece of anything that goes on in their yard, each afraid you'll be infringing on their territory (maintained boats don't require as many repairs, and don't dare pick up a screwdriver.). Then there's the million dollar liability policy and the worker's comp. and the personal liability when something invariably breaks anyway. Sorry to be a wet blanket, but the only way I see it happening is as part of the marina package in which case it will be handled half-assed, half the time by a bunch of different guys who don't know, don't care or don't have the time to do the piddly jobs. That's why I see it as part of a captain's job, part of a manager's job, a DIY job or giving the job to a kid for tip money. I think where a professional could come in is in developing an individual checklist.