Being that its almost winter here, (it could snow at any minute), I started to make a list of all the things that I'd like to do to my boat.

-My boat has a few holes that need to be fixed. Gelcoat chips that look like hell need to be repaired too.
-The bottoms need to be filled and smoothed to get rid of all the scratches and gouges.
-My spinnaker is shot, toast, done, you get the picture. So I was going to buy a new class legal one, and a 2nd aftermarket for all the times I'm not racing. We'll call it training, but lets face it, it ain't helpin'.
-Essentially every line should be replaced, including the PIA internal outhaul on the boom.
-I'm waiting for my new to me/used SNU to show up, but I'll still need to buy a $175 cover for it.
-I'd like to change the downhaul cam cleats to Spinlocks.
-I'd like to convert my downhaul to 16:1
-Replaced most of the rigging this fall. Still waiting on a few parts. The bottle HCE put my bridle and shroud anchor bolts in hasn't washed up yet.
-I'd like to get a tapered mainsheet if I'm replacing all the lines anyway.
-I'm going to get a drysuit this winter. I don't care if I have to sell a kidney.
-I need to make my continuous line for the mast rotation work better. The shackle and block always gets fouled. Electical tape sorta works for keeping things straight. Emphasis on "sorta".
-I'd like to add some vinyl, something to break up the white blah.
-A pocket under the tramp for the righting bag would be an awesome addition as well.
-Switchable ratcheting sissy blocks for the spin on the windy days.

Does it end? [Censored]! Is there a point where it becomes stupid to spend better than a 1/4 of the value of the boat, on the boat? My theory is that if I replace everything at once, then I won't have to do too much for quite a while, but still there's probably $4k worth of stuff on that list. Buying a new boat doesn't really effect the list all that much either. Who ever at HCE decided that every line that is 1/4" on my boat should be the same colour needs to have their head examined

My father used to tell me: "If it floats, flies, or (a four letter explative starting with F), Rent it." Then there is the old standby that a boat is merely a hole in the water into which you pour your money. I need to go back being content with a turd 85' H16.

When you need glasses...

Hey Karl, that one Stratos freestyle was up for sail again on craigslist and i just bought it tonight for $600... where do you sail in MN? Once i get the boat rigged we should meet up some time.

I see two ways of owning a boat:
1) you pay for everything up front and get a new boat
2) you pay as you go and get an old boat

Option 1) can be the better value if you have the cash (not an expensive loan) and spare time is scarce.

Option 2) can be the better value if you don't have the cash and can spare the time that goes into fixing things.

With option 1) you get better acquainted with your friends, with option 2) you get better acquainted with your boat.

That's more or less how I see it!

If you spend $5 on a boat and do not use it, then it was too much.

Getting out is hard enough, so if you do manage to arrange your schedule to get on the water during the few weeks the water is not hard and something breaks, how much did you save?

I saw that. Kinda glad I didn't have $600 to blow on it. I thought it was funny, "built by Nacra". Ah, not that I know of...


Lake Pepin by Lake City, and Cannon Lake by Faribault are the two lakes that I use the most. Both are south of the metro by about an hour.

- NOT THAT I CAN TELL>> THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEUPGRADE, NEW LINE, NEW BLOCK, THAT IS WANTED AND WHEN I AM "DONE" ... SOMETHING BREAKS
THINK OF THE EXTREEM JOY YOU GET OUT OF SAILING>>>> IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY (AT LEAST TO ME)


MY LAST BOAT COST ME $600... I HAVE SPENT THAT IN BLOCKS ALONE FOR THIS BOAT

I hear ya karl.
I'm in the proceses of regelling my daggers and rudders looking at new lines. Already tapered the main, and btw the hce people changed all the colors now . my tiger has different colors for each system.
And i've spent more in accesarys for this boat than i did for my last 2 boats total. but when you got that hull skimming down wind in 6 knots under the spin think of that 16 doing 4 knots floatin as you pass it.
Wht don't you put ski's on the dagger and rudders then you can sail all year round.

BOAT - Bring On Another Thousand