Budgets are always killed by boat projects. It is amazing how much extra you end up spending on projects.
I thought that the wire and the panel would be the major expense for my wiring project. I was wrong!!! The connectors, the extra tools, and a bunch of little things really piled up. $5 there, $20 there, and next thing you know you spend a lot of extra money.
Then, I get sidetracked from time to time. I was putting in the new battery box and I realized how much room is lost in the cockpit storage because of vertical spaces inside of the locker. Next thing you know I buy a sheet of plywood to make a few smart storage solutions. Oh, darn, distracted again because I want to place a piece of plywood in another storage area. Now I decide I need a place to put docklines so I am going to hang them in the back of the port cockpit locker. Now I need a long piece of dow rod to make this hanger. Then I realize that I am out of fiberglass hardening solution so I need to get that now to finish that project.
As you can see, the projects add up quickly. It isn't the big expenses, it is the stupid little ones you don't count on.
Anyone else experience this?
You do know what the acronym B.O.A.T. stands for, don't you?
When I first got my 23, I started keeping a detailed log of what I'd done, how long it took, and what it cost. After a short while, I gave up completely. The costs got out of hand. I got to the point that I just wanted to do everything right so money be damned! I'm glad I took that route! She deserves the best.
Bob23
I agree with you Bob. She deserves the best.
I am much happier with the boat budget on the 23 versus my old 30. Still, it adds up quick. The nice thing is that on the 23 it adds up but it seems to come around and happen much faster.
The cost/expense formula I use is the following:
Take your boat displacement volume area and than calculate how many dollars will fit into that space. = Estimated Final cost project at the time.
It seems that way with most other things in life. I am getting ready to uncover Ru-Ach soon. I have a few little projects to complete before I splash her again.
Safe Sailing Season to all..........
I usually take my first estimate and double it. Even if I think my first estimate is right, I better have double the cash set aside for the project because I know what is going to happen once I start....