How Do You Get It Done?

NYCAP123 · 04-30-2008, 03:19 PM

People today want to buy a boat, hop on board and go, treating it as they would a car. Besides "Stay off the water" what advice do you have?
Here's the scenario: Their boat is in the 20 to 70 ft range. They don't have a captain or crew and don't want to spend their off time with a wrench in their hands. The yard takes care of winterizing & spring commissioning and fixes what breaks. They can hire boat washers & waxers. What else needs to be done and how do they find someone to do it.
The reason I pose this question is that I recently boarded a 50 footer and found the engines totally rusted, the er & laz filthy, seacocks frozen and a couple of inches of oily water in the bilge. That was only the beginning (rusted stanchions, mildew, etc.). I thought the boat was about 10 years old and was amazed to find it was only two. Of course the living areas were clean.
Short of handing the yard a blank check and saying keep it pristine (which we all know still wouldn't do it)

what do you recommend.

AMG · 04-30-2008, 03:33 PM

Buy a new one every year!

Seafarer · 04-30-2008, 03:54 PM

I once recommended a medium caliber handgun, and shooting one's toes off one by one. Less painful, less costly, and less recovery time than owning a boat.

Castlerock · 04-30-2008, 03:58 PM

Join one of those Time Share Yacht Clubs. Then you just show up at a location and drive the boat away and bring it back dirty and walk away.

Loren Schweizer · 04-30-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seafarer

I once recommended a medium caliber handgun, and shooting one's toes off one by one. Less painful, less costly, and less recovery time than owning a boat.

Hey, that's pretty good!

I have had decent success, over the years, with putting absentee owners with 'caretaker' captains who do a weekly service: exercise the machinery & systems and report on what needs fixing. This takes all of an hour.
Interestingly, it is sometimes the owners who take the, um, frugal route and the ensuing neglect is their own fault.

NYCAP123 · 04-30-2008, 04:41 PM

I had a feeling this topic could provoke some thoughtful (and some humerous) response. Seafarer, I like the way you think. Along the lines of Loren's suggestion I manage a couple of yachts. For a monthly stipend I do what an owner is normally responsible to do including act as laison with the yard, clean the bilge, tighten the boat, etc.

The professionals among us know what happens to a neglected boat, and what's involved in just maintaining it. How about the owners? What has your experience been, and how did you deal with it? What could be done to bring the reality of boating closer to the dream? Is it worth the cost to just trade in every year or two or are there services you'd like to see made available?

Seafarer · 04-30-2008, 07:19 PM

Our family boat was owned for 30+ years, a 1955. Wood hull, fiberglassed. The best thing that could be done was use it frequently, and we did. All fluids and systems were checked at least weekly and the boat was exercised at least every weekend (if nothing more than running from Mystic, CT to Block Island, RI). The yard typically had all week to do any work that we noted; they didn't have to chase down gremlins or hope that the owner would figure them out. The boat moved often enough that the bottom and all underwater moving parts were fairly clean, so if and when we got hauled underwater issues were a lot easier to find and repair.

One of the best things that can be done is to have the kids in the family take an interest, and have the little bilge rats cleaning every nook and cranny the way we did.

It needs to be impressed upon new owners that a boat is not a car or an appliance. You can't just hit the key and go, and take it in to the dealer every 5,000 miles. You can't just leave it docked and throw a sheet over the couch then come back next spring to hop in and go. If people want an expensive car, they should buy an expensive car. If people want a cottage, they should buy a cottage. If they want an RV, they should buy an RV.

Some new owners should even have it drummed into their heads that boats don't have brakes, either.

I'm sure we've all seen some really bonehead moves at gas docks through the years!

NYCAP123 · 04-30-2008, 09:04 PM

At this time of year boats are getting launched and a lot of new boaters are hitting the water. This forum has a great opportunity to educate.
A lot of folks who get into boats don't figure hiring people like us into their budget. Seafarer you touched some great notes, especially getting the kids into the bilge. Although dad may not want to get dirty, kids love being given responsibilities and showing off their mechanical abilities.

PropBet · 05-01-2008, 05:06 AM

Everyone has to learn at some point.

And they have to learn lessons that can not be taught by someone else, can not be taught through reading, but by yourself through trial, error and the expense of failure. (emphasis on the expense / define failure as you wish) This typically means you destroy the first few boats you own.

I've always said, one of the happiest days of my life: The day we bought our 5th (fifth) boat.

lwrandall · 05-01-2008, 06:19 AM

I know most major boating areas have "Yacht Management" companies. These companies will not only wash and wax but do interior cleaning, engine and systems check and even refuel if wanted. This will help the boat remain "ship shape." The companies in Maryland will do this service for most any boat over 30' for a seasonal package price. This might allow those technically challenged owners to keep their boat looking and operating good.

AMG · 05-01-2008, 08:01 AM

For nearly 50 years, Monaco Boat Service have done just that. I used to take a walk in the morning and watch the guys opening up all the boat covers of all the wooden Rivas, starting up the engines and checking them so the owner could go out on just a short notice. Some boats are also stored on racks in the rock and you just call and tell them when you want to use it. So, for anyone prepared to pay for a perfect maintained boat, there are people prepared to do the job. Have a look at all the Rivas, nice intro

http://www.riva-mbs.net/index.html

NYCAP123 · 05-01-2008, 08:29 AM

That Monaco Boat Service et el sounds like a great idea, but up here you can barely find a marine mechanic who can make a living year-round. I usually suggest people ask (pay) their dockmasters or dockhands to take care of things. Of course you have to be specific as to what you have them do. It has to be worthwhile to them and still fit your budget. And of course these people probably don't have a lot of experience maintaining boats. Any suggestions on what to have them do, how often or how much to pay them?
P.S. Propbet,
You've got a real nice dad.

PeterSmall · 05-02-2008, 04:04 PM

Although it may be outside the budget of the smaller boats in your range, we provide a complete scheduled maintenance system that can be scaled down to suit smaller craft.

Essentially we visit the yacht, photograph and catalogue every item of equipment that requires regular servicing and then produce a manual (both paper based and electronic) which details not only what has to be done and when, but also shows you exactly how to do it.

If the owner is not on board then this is something that can be passed on to the company/person responsible for the maintenance and as there are step by step instructions on how to perform the tasks accompanied by photographs of the actual equipment then it should be an easy task for them to complete.

As simple report could be developed to send to the owner detailing the work done each month. The system covers ALL equipment on board, Mechanical, Electrical, Deck and Safety.

NYCAP123 · 05-02-2008, 04:26 PM

Peter,
Lauderdale. The yachting capital. There are certain centers where everything is available, but there are 10,000 others where there are pretty decent boats, but limited reliable resources to care for them. A lot of owners in these areas leave their boats to rot because they don't have the time, ambition or ability. They put their boats into the hands of the yard, but we know what they take care of and what they don't. They need to find someone, instruct them and follow up without blowing their entire budget. Suggestions?

PeterSmall · 05-02-2008, 04:52 PM

Agreed that it is probably a bit simpler here in Lauderdale, but the theory still works.

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.

However, I suspect that is where the root of the problem is, finding someone reliable and at a cost where the owner can see that the outlay will reap it's rewards in terms of less money to be spent in equipment that has not been maintained.

Unfortunately it is far too common that boat owners let the regular maintenance and upkeep of their vessel slip, particularly in the size range that you mentioned in your initial post.

Even here, you don't have to look too hard to find the distressing site of boats that appear to have passed the point of no return, particularly those in the 20 - 40' range.