Do you work on your boat?

[Trojan Joe]

I do all the work on my engines, including any major over-haul on all systems. Installed electronics including radar and transducers. Take care of Spring maintenance such as bottom paint, zincs, etc... Send props out to a pro but install myself.

I do it because I can and trust my workmanship. I look at maintaining and restoring my boat as relaxation. When it comes to items like replacing cutlass bearings, I go with a trusted pro...

Last year I had Jim's Marine do a major facelift on the hull and topside with new Awl Grip...because I wanted it done right. I replaced the glass with new tinted Lexan.

[Nauti Natured]

I do all the boat stuff ... electronics, upgrades, bottom paint, detailing, etc but I leave the 100 hour engine stuff to the pros.

[onejacker]

I handle the simple stuff...plugs, water pump kits, mounting stuff like depth finders, transducers, etc. Probably the biggest project was drilling/plumbing/mounting a couple of flush-mount rod holders into the gunwales. Thats about it.

I cannot do any kind of fiberglass work. I tried to do some finish work like gel coat years ago, and it came out like a drunk blacksmith did it. I aint real smart, but I did learn not to mess with that anymore. I'm kind of jealous of people that have that knack, actually.

[Capt.Troy Crane]

As an owner/operator of a business, unless you have another source of income or are just independently wealthy, which I don't have the fortune to have either.....................if it breaks or needs to be repaired I better no how to do it or learn fast because the clock is always ticking .

I have done my own repowers(just finished my last one in November) glass work etc.
I leave the welding to the guys who can get it done but outside of that I can't think of much that I haven't learned to do on my own out of necessity.

Where I live, we all work together and if somebody has a big project, be it repower or glass work we all jump in and help so we can get back to work.
It's nice to live in an area where we can count on others when we get in a jamb.
Here is a good example, Tommy Danchese lost his boat at Oregon Inlet this winter trying to pull another boat off the bar that had gone aground.
He looked around and found a boat that he felt would fit his needs for comercial fishing and bought her. The only problem was she needed a big refit to achieve that, so he called in a team of owner/operator charter Captains and boat shop workers and we went on her with a mission to get him back on the water by mid March so he can make the season.
Lots of cutting,grinding,sanding etc. to get her like he wanted but we are almost finished.
Here are a couple of pictures from the beggining, I'll get one next week when she hits the water.

[gameover]

Stand group of guys in your area Capt. Troy... My hat is off you to guys. Thats the way a community is supposed to work together.

I also try to do most all my repair work on my own, seems that I cant afford to pay someone to do it for me. The times that I have paid someone to work on my rig, it never seemed right...
And I appreciate understanding where everything is and how it works when Im 50 miles off...

I have done work on my Diesel, 2- speed trans, hull and electronics.

Even if I had the cash to pay to have the work done,I would still want my hand in the process..

Good luck

Taylor

[Banshee]

I wholeheartedly agree with Capt. Troy. You pretty much better be able to do alot yourself and have a great knowlwgw of how things work. My father beat this into my head, his best dadism was there are no mechanics 50 miles offshore. To this day there is not much I cannot do, the only limitation I have is time and I do have some people who work on my rig that I do not have to watch, and that is a small list.
My advise is give something a shot to fix it worst case scenerio you have to buy another one or pay someone to fix it.
My biggest boo was installing a radar years ago, I was told do not cut the cable, but I did. it cost me 200.00, but I learned the hard way.
JW

[CaptGorges]

Everything that isn't covered by warranty.

[weekender]

CM, we took our time, about 3 weeks start to finish. I was barely able to walk having just got out of 7 months in a cast with my leg. Had to take a lot of breaks. Didn't work on it everyday. Many days it was too cold for glass to set. Kay really helped a lot.

[Agitated88]

As an owner/operator of a business, unless you have another source of income or are just independently wealthy, which I don't have the fortune to have either...
Here are a couple of pictures from the beggining, I'll get one next week when she hits the water.

Not wanting to derail the intent of this thread, but if you get a chance, some pic's of the bow of this boat would be appreciated. From the pic's provided I see or "think" I see some Chesapeake Bay influence in the old girl. Good on you and the rest of the crew for working together to get another Capt back on the water!

[Capt.Troy Crane]

Not wanting to derail the intent of this thread, but if you get a chance, some pic's of the bow of this boat would be appreciated. From the pic's provided I see or "think" I see some Chesapeake Bay influence in the old girl. Good on you and the rest of the crew for working together to get another Capt back on the water!

You would be correct ! I can't remember the builder but she was built in Deltaville abot 30 years ago, solid glass. I know of three of them down here being used as commercial boats.
One tough ass boat to grind on I know that, she ate a few 36 grit pads like they were butter
I'll get a picture next week when she splashes.