Being Frugal: DIY on Froo Gal

Being Frugal: 

DIY on Froo Gal 

We are sorry that we have not posted in many weeks. The weather has been too good -- a rare treat in the UK at this time of year. England this year had the sunniest April since the 1920s. But we have used the time to good effect. 

'Before,' copyright(c) Froo Gal,
2015, All Rights Reserved

The list of jobs completed includes: new prop fitted; sticky winches serviced; lights and whistles fitted to horseshoe buoys; slipping alternator belt replaced; mail sail battens and tell-tails fitted; reefing lines threaded; anchor snubber fitted; and a shake-down cruise completed, which included practice with the radar (it was a bit foggy).
We have also bought numerous small 'essential' items: pilots books; charts; tidal atlas; emergency navigation lights; kedge anchor; chain and warp; Lewmar winch service kit.

So what have we learned?

1. Most job are straight forward if you have instructions, you prepare well, you have the right materials and tools, you are moored on a pontoon or on the hard, and the weather is good. Use the instructions that came with the boat or item in question, look on-line (especially on YouTube) or the manufacturer's site and maintain a good record of your inventory on the boat and at home (this will save you buying the same item multiples times -- we must have six of more cans of WD40!).

'Gunk,' copyright(c) Froo Gal,
2015, All Rights Reserved

2. The time to complete most simple jobs would be expenses at boat yard rates -- do it your self (DIY) almost always saves money.

'After,' copyright(c) Froo Gal,
2015, All Rights Reserved

3. Two heads are better than one (but not of the toilet variety -- that would just be more mainteance). DIY with a buddy or a small team is more productive, less prone to simple errors and seems to achieve more than solo ventures.

4. Shop around. On-line prices will save 5-20% (or more) on marine chandlery prices, but watch out for the delivery fees and consider the service quality and timeliness of order fulfillment. Also in the long run it pays to put some business the way of suppliers local to your mooring as there will always be small items where paying a premium for the convenience is useful. We leaned that it was almost impossible to find any decreasing agent in Cowes (on the Isle of Wight) late on a Bank Holiday Saturday afternoon. Finding premium brand sailing fashion clothing was no problem; there were numerous shop open well into the evening (but that did not help our sticky winches).

5. Marine service items can be ridiculously over price and better value for money items can be found (but you have to do you homework). The Lewmar winch service kit is a good example. The kit we bought included oil, grease, a brush (for the grease), an instruction booklet and some springs. Sourcing these items separately (perhaps paired with a different Lewmar service kit) would save an estimated 50% of the cost.

'Spare Prop' copyright(c) Froo Gal,
2015, All Rights Reserved

6. There are some really great, but small, expert suppliers and service providers in the sailing community. Batt sails is a good example. Dick Batt the owner is friendly, knowledgeable and offers a great service on sail repairs and valeting a very keen price. He was recommended to us by others in the sailing industry -- word of mouth recommendations are invaluable.

7. Taking advantage of free offers (such as free reciprocal moorings at marinas and clubs), promotions and sales can save 10s of pounds on a weekend cruise, maintenance day, or significant purchase. For example at Jimmy Green (a great family run chandlers -- a favourite of our for the reliability and service) Dan Buoys are ~20% off at the time of writing.

8. When buying charts and pilot books, check that you are buying the latest edition (or make sure you are comfortable with an older edition), otherwise that 'bargain' might prove to be anything but.

9. Small repairs and preventative maintenance are much more cost effective than replacing items. Our best purchases has been a sewing kit (sailing palm, waxed cotton thread, needles, and whipping twine). It's amazing what some spinnaker repair tape and a few stitches will repair.

'Crumpets' copyright(c) Froo Gal,
2015, All Rights Reserved

10. Eating on boat rather than drifting to pub, bar or (yacht) club saves a fortune. Our latest 'find' that helps with this unwritten objective for the Froo Gal crew is an old camping toaster that we unearthed from the bowels of our garage. Toast for breakfast can be an important morale booster when sailing! (In bad weather, for kids, or for a grumpy, hung-over crew).