Why Things Take So Long

I just figure I'm never really going to get everything done (for all the reasons listed above, plus a few more) so whatever does get accomplished is merely progress towards an unattainable goal. Makes it much less stressful. Sometimes it's even fun. And I agree entirely with brute force being a viable approach.
And then there is are the costs. I've come up with a fairly reliable means of estimating those.
Make a detailed list of everything you might need, figure out what that comes to, then double that amount. Add another 50% on top of that and you should have a figure that will be slightly less than what you are actually going to end up spending. Works almost every time.
Tom

People ask me two painful questions. I can't bear to give them a truthful answer

1) "When are you going to be done with that boat?"

(Never)

2) "Do you know what you're doing?"

(Sort of)

Some random thoughts on fixing boats:

1) Keep an open mind. There are often different ways to solve a problem. On the other hand, there are some basic principles that you violate at your peril. It's not always easy to tell what is mandatory and what is optional.

2) Go with tried and true methods. A few times I thought I had figured out a better way, ignoring 10,000 years of boatbuilding wisdom. Naturally, I had mixed results. I don't want to stifle innovation, but failure is very disheartening.

3) Most projects have unintended consequences. Installing one thing may interfere with something else. Think long and hard before jumping in. Some thing are better left alone.

4) Of course a project will be more difficult and time-consuming than you originally figured. You've never done it before. What makes you think its going to turn out perfectly the first time?

5) Prioritize. It's easy to get bogged down. Don Casey talks about starting with safety items first. The problem is, there aren't alot of frills on a small boat. Just about everything is necessary for its safe operation. You can convince yourself that anything is a safety item.

My advice--fix what worries you the most.

On the other hand, you need motivation to work on a boat. If it makes you happy to pretty up the boat, then do that too.

6) I've probably never had a truly original idea. I just try and copy what others have done based upon their description on the internet. But, some people make it seem so easy. I guess they forget the pain once a project is done. The best project descriptions address the problems they ran into, and how they would do it differently if they had to do it all over again.

7) There are few creatures more stubborn than a sailor with a "Plan." If they thought up the plan on their own, they can't be dissuaded by reason and common sense. Don't waste your breath.

8) The people who know the least are often the most insistent. You can often spot them by the use of capitals---"I NEVER do that, I ALWAYS do this"

9) There is alot of brand loyalty and brand hate. If somebody is happy with a particular product, they act like it has some magical properties. If they had a bad experience, for whatever reason, the stuff is evil. I'm the same way. I once bought a used Mercury outboard. I hated that thing, and it hated me. I would never buy another Mercury. I don't care that they're made by Tohatsu now. I might buy a Tohatsu, but never a Mercury. Just looking at the thing would aggravate me.

10) You often see a question on the internet "What is the best ________" A sensible question. Nobody wants to waste money on an inferior product. But, you rarely get a satisfactory answer. Instead, you get a small sampling of "I used Brand X, no problems" "Brand X here too" "Had a bad experience with Brand X" "Brand Y is great" "Another vote for Brand Y" "Brand Z is better and cheaper"

I'm not sure how helpful that is. Few people have used multiple brands and are in a position to compare. Even if they had in the past, they've probably stuck with one brand while all the others have been reformulated or redesigned over the years.

While you still have to decide on a product, spend at least as much time focusing on proper technique.

11) Don't take this business too seriously. Some people act like Varnish vs. Cetol is a life or death decision. If someone posts a contrary opinion, they act as if their intelligence and judgement is being called into question.

12) Have fun and sail the damn boat.

"Of course a project will be more difficult and time-consuming than you originally figured. "

I've learned #4 the hard way... now I double and add half to any estimate. money or time it still seems true.

Another bit of time to account for;

The times when you look around the boat, and have to sit with your head in your hands lamenting the work to be done... this also should include the time spent away from the boat thinking about, and dreading certain tasks.

Quote:

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5) Prioritize. It's easy to get bogged down. Don Casey talks about starting with safety items first. The problem is, there aren't alot of frills on a small boat. Just about everything is necessary for its safe operation. You can convince yourself that anything is a safety item.

My advice--fix what worries you the most.

On the other hand, you need motivation to work on a boat. If it makes you happy to pretty up the boat, then do that too.

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YES! I find that there are items on the projects list (last count 33 items long) that are more important then others, but the others seem to get done first.... for instance I want to renue the rig... but somehow the nav table (and trim) rose higher on the list.. :confused:

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WRT #10......

Agree with the idea.. but Silicone is still one of the most evil substances known to man...