Thanks Eric. Lesson One was engrained in me in the late 70s/early 80s when I restored a 17' runabout to a classic New England look + I cleaned up my 24' Columbia Challenger sloop. Living in Marin County, CA, one of the wealthiest (County - not me) in the nation. I was dealing with the old Anchorage Marine, later West Marine in Sausalito, and had to learn the hard way that tiny brass cleats, teak, etc were worth the same as gold.

When I posed the above question I was afraid I might be imposing on some skippers who probably would love to forget the money poured down that water hole. I should probably stick with the advice of getting a boat someone else has already showered with love and $ - witness the Commander above.