The Offshore Voyaging Reference Site

Boat Maintenance—Don’t Go Broke Saving Money

Question: What is the most important resource in the battle to keep the costs of owning a voyaging boat under control?

Answer: Your time.

Hold that thought for a moment.

Cruiser Fixation

Almost every time we write a post about buying or maintaining gear on voyaging boats, one or more people will comment to point out that there is a cheaper way to do or buy whatever it is we are burbling on about.

And very often they are right and we appreciate it and learn a better way.

The Dark Side

But having said that, there is a dark side to this understandable fixation on saving every dime that many of us cruisers have: Thinking that way can cost you a lot of money.

At this point I’m sure you are thinking “John has dropped the spinnaker pole on his head one too many times”. But hear me out, this tip will save you big money, I promise.


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Clarence Mayo

Hi John,
Great list. Our decision list includes one other question. How many of these (fill in the blank) can I break or need reworked, doing the work myself, before it’s cheaper to have a knowledgeable and reputable professional do the job once? Of course that opens the can of worms in regards to “knowledgeable and reputable” professionals.

Wim Vandenbossche

When I read your list, my first thought was: This is my list to a tee.

Usually, deciding what I want takes relatively little time (well, I will have researched the matter for a while and make the final decision when funds become available).

I do seem to spend somewhat longer researching the cheapest possible source to buy whatever I have decided upon.

Richard s (s/v lakota)

so if alternative ‘a’ meets or exceeds the first two considerations on the list of priorities, but alt ‘b’ wins out with the others, which would you select ? cheers…richard in Tampa bay

pat synge

So much depends on your practical skills and knowledge. And the thickness of your wallet.

When building my boat I was able to make all blocks and many deck fittings from what would otherwise have been ‘scrap metal’ and many of these fittings could be welded directly to the deck (eg turning block cheeks, bollards etc). A considerable saving and not one has failed over 30 years.

In contrast some of the purchased blocks (which were supposedly amply dimensioned for the size of boat) simply broke after a few years when subjected to unexpected loads (ie bad gybe).

It really takes very little research time nowadays to find out which plastics are susceptible to which solvents and use the appropriate lubricants. All these products have their relevant details available online and are are often identical in composition to the ripoff prices charged by some manufacturers for their proprietary brands (which may simply be repackaged with a different name).

Many lubricants are universal and can be used throughout the vessel without having to have special lubricants for seacocks, another for sheaves, another for sail tracks, hiking boots etc. Not only far less expensive but far more convenient.

Doug

Hence to phrase ” penny wise pound foolish”
I have a pretty good grasp on how long thing should last and I’d rather replace something when it’s convenient for me than wait till it breaks and deal with it than.