Is Do It Yourself Really Worth It?

[Freebird]

Consider this, if you had the 58 for a while and did your own engine work etc, do you think you would have had the same problem? When you work on the boat youself I would think you will be more in tune with it and will be able to know when something is going wrong and stop it before a total melt down. It is nice to be able to know what is wrong and what to do about it. That can be your unlimited warranty.

Would I have had the same problem if I had bought the boat new, no way. I'll admit, I made some rookie-type mistakes (even though I'm far from being a rookie) the first trip (not verifying fuel guages worked, not having extra filters on board, not having taken the time to have someone inspect hoses etc.), but my big engine problem was just waiting to happen. My failure to correct the previously mentioned items was just a matter of timing. I had to get out of the PO's shallow harbor while the getting was good, and I planned to address all those shortcomings the next day.

Freebird's engine problem, along with other smaller problems, was a result of neglect and lack of education of the part of the PO (s). He admitted he never ran the boat over 1,700 rpm for the two plus years he owned it which is a no-no on a 2 cycle DD. I doubt the owner before him did either as he was an older retired gentleman who lived on the boat with his wife in Cincinnatti. He stated he changed the oil every 100 hours, but there were no fuctional hour meters on the boat. He claimed to have kept track, but I never saw a log. I ran it for four hours straight at 2,100 and he about had a stroke. But it never complained, ran hot, or smoked during the sea trial prior to my departure for the "Maiden Voyage From Hell" a few days later.

My mechanic says there is no single reason why the starboard engine developed problems. Maybe he was just trying to make me feel better, but he also said an engine survey may or may not have revealed anything short of a weak oil line on the starboard. He said it was a cumulative thing which combined poor running habits by the PO, lots of sitting around, and maybe me just speeding up the failure process by running it harder than it had been run in years (2,100 rpm at the recommendation of DD). The only thing that indicated to me that something was going wrong is when I noticed a slight increase in temperature followed by a slight decrease in rpm while running the boat at speed. Turns out the decrease in rpm was due to a lack of fuel pressure as that tank was going dry. Unfortunately, the quick shut down I did may have contributed to an improper cool down and added to the problem at hand. Either way, that was going to happen at an even higher rate if I had in fact ran it completely out of fuel.

After shutting down the starboard, I idled the port to get to a marina to check things out. The port died about ten minutes after the starboard which left me with the inevitable conclusion I had run out of fuel. I fired the starboard again, and it ran for about two minutes before running dry. Only after being towed to the marina by Boat Tow US did I discover the split oil line on the starboard. It never lost oil pressure or made any racket prior to the previously described chain of events.

Chalk it up to a bunch of what if's, and file it away under the joys of boating. I'll have a clean slate when the engine is rebuilt, and I'll have a thorough inspection performed on the port before heading out again. There will be functioning fuel gauges on the bridge and pilothouse, and there will be mechanical gauges and hour meters in the engine room. Threre are already plenty of extra filters on board. Live and learn boys and girls, live and learn.

 

[67hat34c]

randy , my point is if you had owned the boat long prior to the melt down and had done all your own stuff to it and knew it inside and out do you think the same problem would have happened and if so would you have been in tune enough to know what was happening and had the ability to stop it and prevent further problems? this is the benefit is see for DYS boat ownership, providing you know what you are doing.

 

[Freebird]

I thought I answered that first part, no. The second part, maybe. I would at least know if I saw or heard a change in my engine, it wouldn't be because I was out of fuel. If I think I have a problem with an engine, the first thing I do is back down. The only thing I would do differently would be to let the engine idle longer as to provide an additional cool down period. Seeing as how I have naturals, that probably wasn't that big an issue. Having owned several turbocharged cars, I know that is a no no. There are many things that can cause an engine to lose rpm, but running low on fuel shouldn't be one of them.

Knowing what you are doing is a must for DIY, but as long as the service person knows what the heck they are doing, it's not an issue other than to look over their shoulder, which I do. My point is, in my case, it doesn't make sense for me not to pay someone to work on my boat who makes less per hour than I do. That's why I don't change oil any more EXCEPT in my boats because I have oil change systems that make it a snap, and I want it done now. I'll wash my boats because I want it done now, and it's no big deal to do. In other words, I know how to do a lot of things that I would simply rather pay someone else to do as not to cut into my play time. If I'm going to work, I'm going to make as much money as possible. I just pick and chose the things I do myself.

 

[Starman]

I am just like you Hatt owners here with the exception that I do not own a Hatt, but will some day !

Also I have more time then money and my free time is very little.

I do have a checking account titled "beer" but I have that Champaign Taste !

Geeeeeeeeze........


I have worked for many people, some who join in and get thier hands dirty, some who just watch tv when I am on the boat and one man follwed my every move with a vacuum cleaner so close I was afraid to slow down because he was so close behind me

I think that if you have the time, working on anything you own can be satisfying.

 

[Freebird]

Also I have more time then money and my free time is very little.

That's what all you craftspeople say! Come on Bubba, this ain't no IRS audit, if you have more time than money, and have little free time, you must be hiding something!

Otherwise, if you work a lot and have little money to show for it, I'll get you and Freebird together and try to keep you as busy and as poor as possible!

 

[luckydave215]

I enjoy working on my boat, and because it's MINE, I'll take whatever time required to do it right, not almost right.
On the other hand, I'm (like a lot of you) short on play time, and so I pick and choose what jobs I do myself. Washing and waxing the outside of the boat isn't one of them, niether is diving the bottom.
I work on the mechanical parts, and electrical stuff because I think it's fun. I pay good money for varnish work, money well spent. I'm quite skilled at varnish and have a lot of experience at it, but I worked in a boatyard as a teenager doing fine varnish, and I guess I got my fill.

 

[Starman]

LOL Freebird,

Mt wife and daughter keep me both busy and poor, but I appreciate the offer

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

"I think that if you have the time, working on anything you own can be satisfying".

I enjoy working on my boat, and because it's MINE, I'll take whatever time required to do it right, not almost right.
On the other hand, I'm (like a lot of you) short on play time, and so I pick and choose what jobs I do myself.

Right you are Dave. There is a certain gratification to doing a job yourself, and seeing it through to the way it’s supposed to be done and perhaps, a little more. Having the time can spell the difference between stress and gratification.

My biggest problem (and fear) is the job, a relatively simple job, that, for any number of unforeseen reasons, goes awry and takes 5 times the hours to complete let alone more time to locate and wait for hard-to-find parts.

Like so many fellow boaters I am very frustrated by the availability (or lack thereof) of qualified skilled tradesmen. Allowing that many of the best screw up once in a while, all to often you can be victimized by the guy who doesen’t know what he’s doing, leaves a mess, and eventually you may have to get someone to come in behind him and make corrections.

Another peeve I think all of us have had is yards that charge say $65.00/hr. for meanial jobs like cleaning and waxing (might not sound like much for those of you who are latitudinally challanged but here in the south that’s steep!).

How far you live away from the boat, and how accessable it is on a daily basis to take on extended projects (and spinoff projects – projects that are the direct result of or are discovered needing to be addressed while in persuit of the main task at hand) makes a big difference.

One things for sure, you sure ain't gonna run outta opportunities to test your skills.

Capt'n Bill

I can fix anything, anything in the world, if I can get to it!

 

[Trojan]

It would be easier to say that if we didn't work and had an acquit amount of money. What would you prefer to do or have done to your boat? From the posts here, the questions and answers would still be close to the same. Do I like doing the repair? Do I want to do the repair? Can I repair it? Do I have the time? Can I do the job as well as a pro? Is the job to big or strenuous for me? I don't think that many of us can cover all of these questions all the time. Most of us can only cover a few of these questions. So in turn, each of us must decide which jobs to accomplish and set our priorities and goals. Everyone wants the same conclusion but everyone must do it according to there lifestyle, ability and funds. I myself like doing all the work. I also spend many hours helping other people in the marina doing work they can't or don't know how. I find boat work enjoying, as in hobby. But being retired I do not have unlimited funds. But money is really not the issue. Because you decide what your time in life is worth and how you want to spend it. It can never be added up on a cash register.


BILL


BILL

 

[Nonchalant1]

I couldn't afford my boat if I had to pay to do all the stuff I've done.

That, plus I actually enjoy working on the boat, and I know it's been done right. Add to that the fact that I just retired 2 years ago with working on the boat in mind. It's great to have 6 saturdays and a sunday every week, and it dramatically changes the math in Randy's equation. As mentioned above, each of us is different in our likes, dislikes and capabilities. I'm just happy I have a Hatt to work on and the good health to do it and enjoy it.

Doug Shuman

 

[Boss Lady]

When I have more time, it will be rare for someone else to do anything on my Hat.

 

[Freebird]

Hey guys, the way I see it, like many other scenarios that are presented on this forum, there is no single right answer to this question.

My point is we can all make more money, but we can't make more time. If you had 3 days to live, what would you do? Would you work on your boat, or would you ride on your boat? Kinda like the old joke where a guy gets a call from his doctor who tells him he has good news and bad news. I got your test results back. The good news is you have two days to live, the bad news is I forgot to call you yesterday!

I simply posed a question, and unlike some members have a tendency to do, I won't say anything negative about someone who wants to do all their own work even when someone points out a DD certified mechanic in their area who will for for $3.50 per hour.

Some advice from Uncle Freebird, live each day like it's your last because it very well may be. Take time to stop and smell the roses, and stop taking things so dang seriously! God meant for life to be enjoyable, just like Jack Hargrave probably liked cruising better than designing. Why else would he have gotten into that line of work, and why else would any of us own a Hatteras?

 

[dwaynec]

Hey Bubba, Glad to see you didn't leave us forever. Now back to this thread.

I agree with both Randy and Doug. I too retired two years ago so that I could work on the boat and get her ready to move from sometimes frigid Rock Island to somewhere else where every store does not stock snow shovels and sandbags. I like working on our boat and do everything that this old body is capable of doing. If I can't do it myself, I hire somebody to do it (with mixed results). Doing so makes it possible for me to not have to go back to work. I like Doug really prefer having the six Saturdays. And I hate working for anybody else, even if they are customers.

To me getting a job done to my standards is just as enjoyable as cruising the boat. However, if all I did was work, and never cruise I would be one miserable puppy.