Post 42 owners - check my maintance cost assumptions?

This is going to happen again; Another hump in fixing those surprises, mission updates, decorating and new soft stuff.

Where did you get $1k/ft/year from?
Your rather conservative number above already blew that formula up.

IMO, With no warranties left, it is closer to $2k/ft/year just sitting there (in Florida), for most diesel boats of our sizes.

With a smaller boat, Yes; Hopefully your overall expenses, compared to your Viking, will go down,,, some.

So you fixed all the issues on your current boat and you think you won’t have to do it all over again on the next one ?

Volvos costs more to maintain but the first thing to check is whether there are good Volvo shops in your area. Which engines do you have now in the 58?

in my experience, boat size doesn’t affect operating costs as much as the other factors incl build quality, history, maintenance and current conditions.

both a 42 and a 58 have… 2 engines, a generator, a steering system, an electrical system, 2 driveshafts/props/struts, a water heater and water pump, pretty much the same air con system with maybe one fewer AH in the smaller boat, a windlass, electronics etc.

The only thing directly impacted by LOA is the monthly diver, dockage (maybe), haul out and paint every 12-18 months. That s it.

If anything, maintenance on a smaller boat coat more because access is usually a lot tougher.

think king and hard before downsizing.

now if the 58 is not well suited for your cruising area, then it’s a different issue.

I wish I hadn't added it up but was curious since you raised the question.

We have an older (1989) 43 Post but with newer (now 5 years old) CAT C7.1's We have had the boat 2 years, kicking off 3rd season cruise tomorrow. Use is typically 50-70 hrs/year for our prior boats, a closer to 50 the last 2 years due to COVID shutting down many of the small towns we like to frequent.

We have our own slip, so no in-season slip cost (unless I include dredging costs) and Insurance is about $2k/year. I do as much labor as I can (less as the body ages), but includes labor for overhauling the galley and installing the wood floors (floors aren't in the above since I didn't keep the materials receipts).

Also no purchase/finanace costs included.

Costs for 2 years:
$24,245 - Deferred maintenance following purchase, includes a new GenSet
$25,627 - Scheduled maintenance, includes 1000 Hr
$12,482 - Winterizing/de-winterizing, includes typical out of water annual maintenance
$ 8,000 - Operating, fuel and transient slips
$ 7,104 - WInter storage
$15,680 - Upgrades

Total $93,138 or $46,569 per year, about $1100/ft/year


-Greg

Hang on
My wallet is still on life support after last fall. New shaft and inverter batteries.
New inverter & ships batteries the Year before.
New battery cables and new #2 cables to the helm just run.
Piles of little things.
Some new 24V equipment installed. New 19' antennas on order now.
And I still have 4 pages of things to fix. List keeps getting longer (fix one, find two more issues).
Shopping for new 24" laundry machines also (again).

This all started 20 years ago on a $90k boat.
Probably cost way over $250k in repairs and upgrades thru these years.
It's only a $150k boat now (maybe).

It's just the two of us now, I can not afford to get a smaller boat and give up what we have.
Ole 48', 45 year old tank.

Then this thread comes up. I think I messed up that money / foot / year formula so please don't hold my feet to the fire for to long.

But, It is still a lot of cash moving into another boat.
You may not get the cash back on your current boat.

Up north, Boat season and service is different. Still expensive just different expenses columns.
I'm still convinced it cost way more in Florida. We boat all year so just more wear & tear keeps my wallet in ICU.

But cash just hurts. Smiles covers the pain (so I'm told).
Bottom line;
Will the smaller boat really get used more? Usable by the family? Keep peace with the wife?

The 1000 Hr on my 500 HP CATS was $4500. I'm sure the engines in a 58 Viking are a good bit more.

FYI the 43 Post cruises 24 kts at 70% load with the CATS

How much, how deep, how long of a DIY project are you asking about?

Just an over all answer depends on a few topics.

Are you competent to work on your engines?
All the little tools?
Have an understanding of AC and DC volt systems?
Have an understanding of galvanic erosion.
Carpenter and plumbing skills?
Understand the correct hose clamp cost bux. Not to use the hose 15cent hose clamp from the local hardware store.
Understand the correct wire and crimps don't come from that hardware store also.
Understand the correct screw does not come from that hardware store also.

I feel the materials cost about the same. Some materials and parts are warrantied to/by the tech, not to DIYers..

Not on blood thinners.

Have a realistic approach on issues.
Your Aqua Space Ship must be safe and self reliant. Lives depend on it.

You may not have an insurance claim if your DIY project sinks the boat.
Read your policy or a quick call to your agent.

If your still reading this, then yes, you can work on your own boat.
Your probably not going to save a lot but you may learn more about your boat.

Famous quote from the movies;
A man must know his limitations...
Clint Eastwood.

I have my own DDC tools, But no sir, I'm an not a DD expert.
I purchase my parts and have an open ear to my DD vendor who are THE experts.
Same shop for near 40 years.

If you can work on them, That is great. I'm not typing that down.

I'm not just a DIYr, but a guy for many years that raced around coastal FL & GA working on boats.
After my many insurance companies were paid off, I still had bacon on my plate,,, sometimes.
Never an unhappy customer. Never an insurance claim.
And when we could afford it, that bacon was dam good.

During these years is when/where I have witness so much calamity of folk trying to fix it them selves and it needing to be fixed again.
Hence most of my wind in post #17.

To answer your broad question required this wind but the conclusion is and will always be correct, for any DIY project;
A man must know his limitations...

I'm not allowed out of these swamps now days, When you travel down here, We'll put some beer/hooch down for sure.