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Date: 9 May 2015. Dangerous Boatyards.

© janice142
 

All of us have to go to a boatyard on occasion. This is not fun. It is expensive. The worst thing of all are the Gotcha's that can bite us on the transom. A few of the danger signs to watch out for follow.
 

 

Dangerous Terms heard all too frequently:
 


Should an individual say any of the following regarding your boat, grab your wallet and hang on tight. It is going to get particularly expensive, and soon if you are not vigilant.
 

  • We might as well while we've got A, B and C started check 1, 2 and possibly 3.

  • As long as we have D, E and F out we should look at 4, 5, and 6

  • While we are doing G, H and I, it's a good idea to also upgrade 7 and maybe 8 too

  • J, K and L are old technology and there is better available...

  • A boat just swapped out M, N and O for a heavier duty, and it (M-N-O) will suit yours perfectly... I can give it to you for a discount too.

  • You really should P, Q, and R soon because when it fails...!

  • I have got a man who can start S, T and U tomorrow and you will be done in just a couple of days...

  • Gosh, do they still make V, W and X? You needed new ones installed yesterday!

  • With only Y and Z left, before we put her in the water why don't we...
     

There is money to be made and someone (you!) will be paying the bills.

 


Two of the most dangerous things encountered during every haul-out are One-More-Thing-itis along with We-Might-As-Well-itis. It is all too easy to get stuck *on the hard. Unless you like being in a boatyard, getting out has to be the top priority.
 

*on the hard means the boat is hauled out of the water and on blocks ashore. Some northern boats are regularly stored on land during the winter months when the water is hard, i.e., ice. And when we pull our boats out to redo the bottom paint, that is called being on the hard too.



Bob Winter, Hippy Paul, Ken and Me (yellow arrow) at the launching of S/V Sparrow.
 

Believe me, I am not good at Project Management. Unfortunately that is a flaw I share with a lot of folks. Few are able to get in and out of a boatyard with any semblance of speed. Just be aware, and remember that lots of stuff can be done while floating.
 

Like solar controllers and shunts, ammeters and voltage monitoring. That said, everything almost always takes me longer than anticipated.

I thought putting in a couple of shunts and installing the new solar controller would be a two hour project. I sure did have an enhanced sense of my own speed and ability to accomplish the very short list quickly. Suffice it to say, well, I started at 0815 and at 1630 quit. And no, I am not done, yet.
 


It's like that in real life too. How often have I sat here on Seaweed thinking "I can write the next article after I finish this chapter" and six chapters later... well, I am human. And have I mentioned how much I like my Kindle?!?
 

If you are curious I am reading Cheaper by the Dozen. If you chose to follow in my wake I suggest Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes (2 book set)
 

But I digress... There are still a few do-it-yourself boatyards still in existence. I've heard good things about one in Kemah, TX along with some others scattered along the coast. Right here in Carrabelle is Dockside Boatyard and they are terrific folks.


Dockside has skilled workers available if you would prefer to go that way. They also allow do-it-yourself'ers.

Dockside's phone number: 850-697-3337 ~ website: http://msdockside.com


Readers are encouraged to list their go-to boatyards in the comments section at the end of this article. And thanks!
 

Just be aware that all do-it-yourself yards tend to attract folks with a contagious case of We-Might-As-Well-itis. Fixing your own boat is great for the budget minded. Just stay focused on the primary purpose of your visit to the boatyard. That is to leave ASAP.



 

Be aware the goal is simple: Get in, get out, and go cruising.
 

Escaping a boatyard is darn near impossible, especially when you are just starting. Be wise and wary of the One-More-Thing-itis. The only cure is blue-green water and you will not find that on the hard.

Make sure your number one priority is to float. Float fast and escape the tentacles of friendships formed with others who are long-term fixer-uppers. Folks who suffer from (or enjoy) While-We-Are-At-It-itis... I have seen people (self included) go in for a two month project and leave a year later.
 


Sparrow after launch... Ken is holding my Skipper.
 

Time, especially after fifty, is all too fleeting.
Do not do as I have done. Be smarter than me!
 

It is so good to be afloat. It will be even better when the engine swap is complete. The weather is beautiful and there is green water just at the mouth of the river. I would love to go swimming, take a long hot shower and fall asleep in air-conditioned comfort.
 

Wake me up when supper's ready. Hey, a gal can dream, can't she?!?
 

I'd love to hear about your favorite do-it-yourself boatyards.
Please list name, and where it is located and a bit about the place.
 

[Side Note: Pensacola's do-it-yourself-boatyard
Patti's Boat Storage lost its lease and closed 31 December 2014.]
 

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