YARD CARE

The progression of boat ownership typically begins with a dinghy. Once you start sailing, though, you are likely to succumb to “two-foot-itis,” until suddenly the day comes when you find yourself with a boat too big to trailer. Now the work of maintaining the boat will require the services of a boatyard. The first trip to a boatyard with your own boat can be intimidating. How do you prepare yourself and your boat for this experience?

My wife, Cristina, and I are full-time cruisers. When you are moving all the time, there is more wear and tear on the boat, and more chance of breaking things that require service. You also can’t always run home to your regular boatyard. We have been hauled five times in the past three years at five different yards. Some of these have been good experiences; some have not. Dissatisfaction with a boatyard almost always comes down to either the bill, the workmanship or the care the yard has taken with your boat. So how do you start off right? What does it take to have a good experience?

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