Working on a large boat on a budget

zz28zz

New Member
Mar 6, 2022
19
Lake Travis
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
I've been doing pretty much all my own maint up to this point. As I look at larger boats that are too large to trailer, I wonder how do you get it out of the water for maintenance? I asked around locally and sounds like there's only one guy that can do it and it isn't cheap. If he does pull it out, it gets taken to their shop. How much maint can you get by with at an upscale marina? I suppose pulling a head off the eng while in the slip probably would be frowned upon.

I love the idea of a bigger boat but I'm afraid the added expense of upkeep will cause issues with the better half.
 
It depends. A lot of stuff, even engine work, can be done in the water. Depending on your location, most marinas should have lifts capable of hauling the boat out. You don't necessarily need a guy with a trailer.
 
I've been doing pretty much all my own maint up to this point. As I look at larger boats that are too large to trailer, I wonder how do you get it out of the water for maintenance? I asked around locally and sounds like there's only one guy that can do it and it isn't cheap. If he does pull it out, it gets taken to their shop. How much maint can you get by with at an upscale marina? I suppose pulling a head off the eng while in the slip probably would be frowned upon.

I love the idea of a bigger boat but I'm afraid the added expense of upkeep will cause issues with the better half.
Depending on your location, there are DIY boat yards that charge you for the haul out and a fee to be in the yard. If you are worried about the added expense with your Admiral, just know that if you DIY everything, you are going to be spending a lot of time working on the boat. You might have more issues with being away from her than the money. It is a real balance to get it right where everyone is happy. ;)
 
Agree with @Shoyrtt. Sometimes you just want it done, hopefully done right so you can enjoy it..

Last year i did almost all my own projects. It started to turn into "what am I working on this week". This year I hope to just write the check for most things and have it ready.
 
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Pirate Lady>> I'm liking the 32-34 ft range. Plenty of room for friends and family and still able to get up and run with relatively affordable power (7.4's/8.1's).

The marina, that we're on a waiting list for, doesn't have dry stack, wash racks or even a ramp. A third party would have to get involved for the pull-out of a 32-34 ft cruiser.
 
Pirate Lady>> I'm liking the 32-34 ft range. Plenty of room for friends and family and still able to get up and run with relatively affordable power (7.4's/8.1's).

The marina, that we're on a waiting list for, doesn't have dry stack, wash racks or even a ramp. A third party would have to get involved for the pull-out of a 32-34 ft cruiser.
Are there any on the lake that can pull a boat, block it, store it, and/or fix it? Here in Chicago, the city marinas don't provide that service. However, a quick trip up the river will get you to several locations that do.
 
Yes, there are a few marinas on the other side of the lake that can deal with bigger boats but none on my side. Our side of the lake is mostly cliffs and most of the marinas are floating with minimal infrastructure on land. Basically just a parking lot and a tram down to the docks.
 

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