T&T: Some "Maintenance" cost data

[Albin43SDtr]

Rich & All,

Rich's cost details can be separated, to some extent, into 
maintenance and upgrades. To me, maintenance is what is necessary to 
keep the boat in the same condition, doing only that which is 
required to keep it that way. Upgrades are an entirely different matter.

Of course, all of that falls under cost of ownership, but the 
difference is that upgrades are like elective surgery, whereas 
maintenance is like surgery for life threatening problems - ya gotta do it..

Maintenance costs on the Celestial (knock on wood) have been minimal. 
In the approximately 7 years we have owned her, the maintenance costs 
have been quite low, but we have made many upgrades as Rich did. I 
don't know the exact costs as Rich knows his, but we did replace the 
bimini with a better designed one and had the windlass rebuilt. We 
have done haulouts for bottom paint, etc. I reglassed the Sampson 
post and some other work. Made the mistake of hiring a "professional" 
to sand/scrape, epoxy and varnish (3 coats - ha!) all of the teak. 
Bought a new macerator pump for the head in the master bath, 
converting from a failing manual pump. Replaced a bilge pump.

We found we needed to run the boat from the lower helm due to heat 
and other weather conditions, so we made the lower helm fully 
functional. Upgrades include a new dual station integrated radar, 
dual gps chartplotters, dual VHF, dual fishfinder/sounders, house 
batteries, inverter/charger, oil exchange pump system, fuel polisher, 
captain's chairs at both stations, electronic compass, entertainment 
system, sewage treatment system, security alarm system (with 
interior, door, window and deck sensors), wall-hugger recliners, etc. 
Installed opening-type hull strainers over all major through hulls. 
Installed redundant bilge pumps. I have all the components to convert 
the autopilot to a dual helm system - just waiting for the weather to 
cool down so I can do it. (At present, I use the remote from the 
upper helm at the lower helm.) Yea for eBay! These are just the major 
upgrades - there are quite a few more minor ones.

I have some other upgrades in mind, but it has been too hot to do them.

The cost for upgrades has far exceeded the cost for maintenance - so 
far at least.

When comparing costs, I think that maintenance and upgrades should be 
kept separate, as upgrades are not necessary to "keep the boat as is 
was". My desired comfort level keeps increasing, so I upgrade as funds allow.

YMMV.


Take care and be safe.

Wayne
M/V Celestial
Albin43 Sundeck