It may seem from the outside that all we do is fix our boat. We’re not hauled out because our boat is a lemon. It’s not; it’s a gem. There is no boat anywhere, of any kind, that doesn’t need to be hauled out and serviced in a hundred ways every so often. How often depends on where the boat is used, what it’s made of, what kind of engines it has, and so on. The hundreds of boats in this yard range from nearly new huge motor yachts to ancient classic wooden beasts you can’t believe will float again. Many of the owners we meet bought their boats from charter companies and are redesigning the interior to change from something suitable for a one- or two-week vacation (“heads and beds”) to something more conducive to living aboard and long term cruising (fewer heads, more storage.)
All over the yard there’s major work being done. The boat right next to us had one engine and the mast lifted by a crane, repaired, rerigged and returned again. It’s a little scary having a Volvo diesel swing by a few feet away at eye level.
The most common sight is the skipper under the boat ministering to the saildrives and propellers.
One of the jobs we’re doing is replacing the droopy headliners. After fifteen years in the tropics the glue let go so down came the boards to be scraped clean and recovered with insulating foam and new vinyl. Turns out it’s a nasty stinky job.
All cleaned up, the boards were delivered to the onsite upholsterer to be recovered. I can’t wait. Living under droopy headliners reminded me of our old Nissan Sentra, The Car That Wouldn’t Die. The headliner eventually let go completely and we just cut it off and went without.
Do you have to rent the workshop space or is it included with having the boat in for repairs?
It’s a handy (and included) part of the boatyard. Some of the other boaters aren’t the best at cleaning up after themselves, but boy is it great to have a place to do messy things like the headboards. Plus, as you can see, there’s a nice big vise, which most people don’t have onboard.
How long do you anticipate before you get your headliners completed so you can get them reinstalled?
Good question, Paul. We have to talk to the canvas guy tomorrow. This happened on a Saturday so we haven’t been able to tell him yet.
The workshop looks like a great place. Do you find you need to take all your tools with you?
When I answered your last question I wasn’t thinking. W got our headliners back, reinstalled them and as soon as the last one was in palace the glue gave out and it drooped again. Ugh. We have to go back to the upholsterer and get it redone. More delays.
That’s disappointing to read that it came apart. Is it easy to have the upholster to make it right? Good thing it happened when you were on the hard and not a week out on the water.
Yes, but it’s not far and we like any excuse to stretch our legs. It’s hot, though, with no breeze or AC, so you go early and get it done.