The Long Wait

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

This is the new norm, to use a worn-out descriptor. I see it here in the Great Lakes too. Younger people are not going into the skilled trades. Unless they are working om a union shop, there is no health insurance, no retirement, no nothing. And these things we need on boats are real WORK. Find a shop run by some skillful Mexican family where everybody, including the grandkids know a thing or two. Do not make comments about immigrants. Lots of the stuff we do on boats can be done by people in the automotive industry.

Ha I would agree. I was in a union shop early on in my life. Joined the military, then the Federal Civil service. Why? I looked at the future. Great retirement benefits and a garenteed monthly pay check for life,, even if the government does a so-called shutdown.

Dottos on the Mexican family. We had that happen to us when we replaced the carpet and head tile. Awesome job. On time, worked hard and quality work.

 

[kthoennes]

Heck, a crew of workers from Guatemala re-roofed our 4,000 sq ft house last year -- incredible job on a very complex roof, in a day and a half, including cleaning the staples out of the rain gutters. And my grandfather was a German immigrant too, worked in a bakery while he learned English and died a real estate tycoon. I couldn't care less if you're a Martian or blue-green copper-based Horseshoe crab blood runs through your veins instead of hemoglobin, I'll write a check to Tibetan yak herder if he does good work. Whenever I see gov't agencies or the private sector or politicians talk about embracing diversity and broadening the workforce I think heck, when it comes to my boat or my house or hiring employees in my professional life, I don't care if you look like a character from the cantina scene in Star Wars, if you're a good solid, diligent, skilled employee or service provider, you're gold, you're hired!

 

[friz]

We wanted some drainage work done at the house last spring. The landscaper said $12,000. We agreed. He said August. Okay. Never heard from him again.
I dropped off some boat cushions to be recovered in October. Here it is December, I'll bet they're not touched yet.
I filed a marina work order last April for new fuel hoses on the boat. Never done, work order was just forgotten.
We went to a tree nursery in June and picked out a large tree. Finally installed in mid-November, surprised he ever showed up.
I could go on but yep, I guess all these people are not very eager for my money. I don't pester people but maybe I should - but I figure I shouldn't have to nag vendors and service people to make money.

Please, do not bother passing along any stock tips. That is a terrible record. I am considering changing residency from FL to SD for RVing purposes. All intention to still domicile here in FL. I thought all the flim flam men were here in FL.

 

[O C Diver]

I have an upholstery and canvas business near me. Stidd wants 2 Boat Units ($2,000) for new seat cushion, backrest, and armrests. The guy down the street reupholstered the seat with new foam in 10 days for <$300. I'm taking him the backrest and armrests.

I'm not giving you his name, address, or phone numer. So don't ask.

Ted

 

[kthoennes]

...The guy down the street reupholstered the seat with new foam in 10 days for <$300. I'm taking him the backrest and armrests.

I'm not giving you his name, address, or phone numer. So don't ask.

Ted

How much do I have to pay for his name? I'll make it worth your while. I won't share it with anybody else, promise. I'll have to drive my cushions to to Maryland but I can handle that.

 

[quinsky]

I feel blessed. Several years ago I found a one-man auto upholstery shop to do some work on my cars and boat cushions. He did great work, on time, was very reasonably priced, and also does boat work. I tip him generously each time and offered to adopt him.

 

[Comodave]

Also canvas shops are bad too. We had a brand new center console. The canvas shop had newly laid asphalt paving. So I took several throw rugs and put them in the cockpit of the boat. When I went back there were black asphalt footprints all over the boat including where they stood on the seat backs of the white helm seats. I asked them why they didn’t use the throw rugs, they said because I didn’t tell them to use them... Last time I ever used a canvas shop. I bought a commercial sewing machine and do the work myself.

 

[backinblue]

Also canvas shops are bad too. We had a brand new center console. The canvas shop had newly laid asphalt paving. So I took several throw rugs and put them in the cockpit of the boat. When I went back there were black asphalt footprints all over the boat including where they stood on the seat backs of the white helm seats. I asked them why they didn’t use the throw rugs, they said because I didn’t tell them to use them... Last time I ever used a canvas shop. I bought a commercial sewing machine and do the work myself.

I think just like everything else, there are good and bad. I have had some very good canvas work done.