Refit

It is apropos that I am writing this now while pedaling away on my exercise bike. The refit. Shit. Where do you start? You are looking at what some would consider a loss. Just put her on the hard, and then two things will happen. She will sit there and rot, or someone will see what lies beneath the damage and take the painstaking time to rebuild her. Let’s go with option 2. This vessel has a history. Sure, it is marked and flawed, but that is because of all the storms, competitions, joy rides, and general mishaps she has been through.

Sure, you look at a new boat. See all the bells and whistles and think how it would make your life much easier. A walkout transom. Perfect. Let me get on and off without anything in my way. New fancy electronics? Outstanding. I will pay top dollar so as not to figure out by chart where to go. I will easily plug in the coordinates and put the boat on autopilot, and all the work will be done for me.

Let’s talk for a minute about the shell of the ship. How much freaking work it takes to get the old girl ready to launch. Sure, her bones are good. I will venture to say she is a classic. Built to last, her logbook has documented every sea trial she has been through. In the back of that logbook is also a list of repairs.

It starts with cosmetics. You want your boat to look great because that is what everyone else sees as you sail by. Are those new sails? Look at that gel coat paint job. The teak (where you can afford this luxury wood) is gleaming from the painstaking hours of stripping down the old wood and gently refinishing it. The sails are old? They have to be replaced because they drive the boat. Don’t get me started on rolling furling. Push one button, and the sails go up for you. Sure, it’s easier, but when has anyone learned anything about sailing from getting all the enjoyment without putting in the work? That’s why people power boats.

Learn the craft—upgrade components when necessary. Enter regattas but stay in your class, and still push yourself to get the gun over your peers. Take care of your vessel because if you do, it will never sink by your hands.