Is Yachting, Sailing, or general boating out of your league?
There are many good reasons to own a boat. Its fun, it’s sporting, it’s romantic and it’s adventurous. It bonds family and friends together for special memories. There’s that irresistible pull of the ocean that says, “Let’s go!” And, of course, there’s a certain prestige in owning a well maintained yacht.
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I don’t know your personal circumstances, but my answer is generally NO. The popular perception of yachting is that it is a very exclusive sport, very expensive and accessible only to the rich or well connected. Yes it can be, but treat this perception as the exception, rather than the rule. Yachting is possible for any one with the burning desire, and access to the sea, (or lakes), with a few exceptions or course.
However there are also many reasons not to. The costs associated with maintaining your own yacht are high, and so is the time commitment required. Mortgage, maintenance, dockage, insurance, upgrades, storage and cleaning are a year-round personal and financial commitment.
A used boat or yacht can be easily and cheaply be picked up, but you need to be prepared to work at it, whether it is new or old. Brand new boats constantly need certain upkeep in order to remain efficient and seaworthy. Therefore you can conclude that all boats be constantly repaired and maintained in a seaworthy state.
Because I wanted to own my own boat, I needed to purchase one at the lower end of the market, as so was forced not only to repair this yacht, but make necessary modifications outwith the original designer’s specification for practical sea going use.
This altered the appearance from the classical design, but I refuse to accept tradition when it interferes with realistic sea going comfort and safety.
Modifying a yacht from the original design however must not be taken lightly. It must be well thought out, and planned in detail. I had no choice but to work outside, on my weekends off, in the Scottish winter, and as you may know, problems are then exasperated by the unpredictable rain, and short winter days. With plenty of planning however, the materials themselves can be readily available through the internet, and very reasonable costs.
Assistance from others is a must, although I started work alone, but in doing so many of my friends were attracted to the ongoing challenges, and began to offer their help in one way or another, according to their particular strength. The boat project then turned into a local focal point, a meeting place, an escape from domestic bliss. A point where friends and acquaintances could meet, talk and generally carry on. Instead of it being a chore, we looked forward to our gathering, and some work was done on the boat. In fact, the modifications project proved so popular that passers-by were contributing to its construction, because a healthy enjoyable project attracts other to join in.
This project in turn led to six of us buying a shell of a boat between us, to bring us together over the winter of 2008. We do not need another boat, but it is a project, (an excuse), to get away from it all, and talk a load of rubbish. It will also provide me with inspiration to document it progress, and give me ideas as to where to develop next.
My yacht, the Ballerina 1 “ceirastar”, was a feasible and successful study of study of work, and the fact that the boat now sails extremely well is a tribute to all who assisted in its development.
If you are in doubt about tackling major repair work, first weigh up all the options. Make many plans, with plenty of alternative options. Secondly, do not be afraid to discuss your project ideas with others, as this will get them involved in the design and development.
You will by doing so uncover many negative personalities, and many discouraging comments; however these must also be over come as with any other challenge in the project. You can always tell these vain types, attempt to boost there own swelled egos, usually bellowing the words: “Oh you cannot do that”, or “Oh it’s a big job” or “Oh that will not work”, and always with no explanation as to why.
This type of negative personalities must be discouraged from being involved, as they will only drain the life out of you, the project and your friends who are trying to achieve beyond that.
Think about your project hard, plan and discuss it, get tore in. The first hammer blow is the worst, because as soon as it strikes, you must see the project through to completion.
The project will started slowly, and will seam like a mountain before you, however it will gather momentum, it will get everyone involved, and if tackled sensibly, it will be a good laugh.
Be aware however that the last finishing touches to the project are the most difficult. They take longer, and can be the priciest in terms of money and personal pride. Please be encouraged however, to get up and go for it. Once started, you will regret the time you spent doing nothing. The jobs you plan for next year just never get done.
The full repair story of 2006, and the full modifications story of 2007 have been compiled and formatted into a musical slideshow. They are completely free but fairly large files in WMV format. They do however run on almost all media players. Windows Media Player for example works fine. I am sure you will be not be disappointed but rather impressed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at GCCMCCULLOCH@AOL.COM
Feel free to pass on your problems or solutions to me at the guest book at the top of the page, or contact me at gccmcculloch@aol.com
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How my yacht was repaired and modifiedis shown in detail. How you may have repaired or modified your yacht or boat is also of interest, and I need to here from you at gccmcculloch@aol.com to share your developments with others; who may have similar inspirations or problems, and who would be grateful for your insight.
At least, please sign the guest book, (which is provided by Bravenet) at the top of the page.
The inclusion of your photographs will add depth to your tales and adventures.
To that end I therefore invite you to feel free to input your anecdotes or yarns to the forum, or contact me at gccmcculloch@aol.com .
If requested, and relevant, I will even put your knowledge and experience on this web site, and will faithfully attribute them yourself.
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