I’ve spent the last several weeks working. Good thing, too, because next week I take the boat to the shipyard.
Have you ever heard of the term “boat dollars”? The conversion rate between a boat dollar and a regular dollar is roughly 1:1,000.
Seeing as how I’ve yet to become filthy rich, each BD I spend has to be done so as wisely as possible. My general priority spending plan is going to go something like this as funds become available…
- 1a- Vital system projects. Structural, mechanical, electrical, & plumbing type projects required to keep the boat safely afloat. (i.e. Seacocks that are currently frozen open.)
- 1b- Quick wins. Smaller scale projects I can do quickly/cheaply to score quick wins and keep the forward momentum going. (i.e. Having my rockstar mom create new curtains & thrown pillows to brighten the cabin)
- 2- Pay off the boat loan. Once the boat is in solid, sailable condition, I plan on aggressively attacking the debt.
- 3a- Larger scale comfort/cosmetic projects. (i.e. reupholstering interior cushions)
- 3b- Electronics Upgrades. (i.e. New chartplotter, radar, etc.)
- 3c- RTW Prep – (i.e. Life raft recertification)
There are a number of things I’d like to accomplish before I make the trip across the Gulf and dock the boat in Orange Beach this spring, but many of them can wait if they don’t yet fit in the budget.
There’s a shipyard in Bradenton that comes highly recommended from my friend Mark, so I’m going to try to get them to knock out as many items on this list as I can.
The marina I’m working with in Sarasota has a deal with the shipyard and they’ve offered to coordinate all of the work being done, but I’m not convinced I’ll go this route. Initial indications are that it’d be best if I did the project management myself.
Shipyard TODO
- Sand/paint bottom
- Replace zincs
- Install existing Maxprop
- Replace hoses the mechanic expressed concern over
- Paint “Orange Beach, AL” as the hailing port on the stern, painting over the current hailing port
- Replace existing seacocks with new Marelon 93 series seacocks
- Replace/repair shaky plumbing around sea chest
- Remove “starboard” lid for forward holding tank and replace with properly installed fiberglass lid
- Replace mast lights with LEDs
- Install new Blue Seas battery monitor
- Quote for engine room/engine clean out/detailing
- Check/service headsail furler