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Thanks for the responses. Yes, I had considered DIY as I do most, if not all, of my boat work. Unfortunately, DIY yards are nonexistent in my area (central Florida gulf coast). I guess I'd have to buy a trailer and pay someone to transport my boat. I'm not retired so a DIY boat painting job...

Thanks. Yes, $20k for my 24' would include a bottom job assuming the bottom paint just needs a sanding and is in decent condition.

The Awlgrip on Sherpa (24' troller) is getting faded and its time to seek out quotes. I was recommended Embry Marine in St Petersburg and was given a very rough quote of $20k for a bottom job and to Awlgrip the hull, deck, and wheel house. This process assumes the Awlgrip is in decent...

The cost of diesel makes me happy that I only burn about 1/2 to 2/3 gallon an hour at 6 knots! I only wish I could get out more often and burn more fuel! Work gets in the way!

I'm still here! You sound like my wife though! I actually do take her out, but I will admit that I enjoy babying and keeping her in stellar condition. I just replaced the hydraulic lines and installed a new custom aluminum diesel tank. I might consider selling Sherpa, but it would take...

Prior to the pandemic, there were plenty of data supporting the notion that younger people were not entering the boating world--the demographics were quite clear. If you mean "our hobby" as owning a slow-moving, economical cruiser (trawler), then yes, it is dying. Like everything, we are in a...

My boating territory is from Sarasota to Tarpon Springs--no need for a radar as I typically stay inland and use my phone. My wife and I work so no long distance cruises are planned for the near future.

It seems most used boat buyers (I'm guessing around 90%) rename their boat. I am likely in the minority and kept our boat's name--it had a really interesting back story and I'd rather not anger Poseidon :) Fortunately, the name was not vulgar or overly personalized. I am curious if anyone...

Good for you! You look great. I see many boaters (not always older) struggling to get around their boat. They'd be so much better off if they weren't carrying a sea turtle around their waist! No wonder they have difficulty crawling around the engine room. My wife and I work very hard to...

At my marina (St. Pete, Florida), one will most definitely have soft and light hard growth in 2-3 weeks.

There is so much variation in how people age. I see a lot of very capable older adults at my marina and many share one thing in common--they keep the weight off and stay fit. Boating is physical, so you need to take care of your body if you want to enjoy boating as long as possible.

Thank you! She is Awlgripped from top to bottom. I had the mat custom-made by Mad Hatters Mats at https://madmatter.com It wasn't cheap, but it is extremely durable. I have the measurements if you want them--just let me know.

I've been away from the forum for a while but welcome to the Vashon owner's club! My Vashon is in a slip all year. She is due for a haul out after the summer for a bottom job and new Awlgrip on her hull. Search the forums and you will see a post about the ballast from another Vashon owner...

I spent many of my younger years on a Defever 44, and I can count on one hand the number of times the lower helm was used. I love fly bridges and the excellent visibility they provide. We had a bimini so sun wasn't a problem. I don't like being cooped up while underway. I'm sure my opinion...

I am reviving an old thread of mine, but thought providing closure would help provide a possible solution to someone with a similar problem. To summarize, I was having a steaming/white smoke issue during cruise and engine coolant temp was reaching its upper temp limit at WOT. - I serviced...

I've tried various prop sizes and settled on a 16x8. I am able to achieve 3600 RPM, which is wide open. I normally cruise at 2700 to 2900 RPM.

Hi, Nomad! I have been thinking about moving to electric wipers, but I like keeping things simple.

Tarpon Springs is my home town and my typical boating activity ranges from St. Pete to Tarpon. My wife and I could meet up on a weekend.

This is passionate about not fiberglassing over wooden boats--particularly vintage ones! I can't imagine the cost of removing all that fiberglass!

I would wear slippers too if I had that problem! :eek:

Perhaps their feet issues are partially from wearing shoes all the time. When I get home from work, the first thing that comes off are my shoes! I can't imagine wearing shoes all day--how uncomfortable. No wonder why people have feet problems! I don't want shoes that have been in a filthy...

Well said. Wearing outdoor shoes in a home is disgusting and I am one who never wears shoes on my boat or someone else's boat. Nothing worse than someone tromping on my Awlgrip decks with their dirty shoes! :nonono: I had a large commercial grade outdoor entrance mat with thick rubber...

I am a ham radio operator who builds his own wire antenna arrays and equipment and am very familiar with the Western Union Splice. I am not surprised by the NASA results. I have several low band dipole antennas with WU splices and the copper wire would break well before the splice. I don't...

:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb: Well said!

I will agree with you on that! My wife constantly reminds me to enjoy the boat rather than obsess over mechanical and cosmetic issues! :blush: Now, I have been in a situation where I needed almost every HP from my little 29HP Volvo. Knowing that I could push my engine to near WOT without a...