If you own a boat, you’re probably familiar with euphemisms such as: “You know meaning of the word B-O-A-T right? Break Out Another Thousand”. Or “A boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money.” Suffice to say that a boat can be a financial burden. But you do have some ability to keep that cost down. Similar to owning and maintaining a land-based home you can provide the labor, or pay someone else to do what you aren’t willing or capable to do yourself.

When deciding to pay someone else, you would (and should) typically get a few quotes for the work, especially if you’re not familiar with what the work entails, and or you don’t have proper tools or workspace. This is no different than planning for a roof shingle replacement on your land-home or a new set of tires. You do request more than one competitive quote, right??

Whatever the reason, let’s say you’ve decided to pay for some work on your boat. You’ve asked around, and a few folks have mentioned a boat yard nearby where they’ve had some work done. They also usually grumble about the cost, but agree the work was done well. Since the aforementioned yard is the only one around, you decide it’s worth taking the plunge and put your faith into their vague recommendations.

Mistake number one! 

Unfortunately, the resulting experience has left you with a feeling of being belittled, cheated and generally unsatisfied. Not much you can do once your boat is on stands in their yard and the bill is in your hands. Instead of boating nirvana, you’re trapped in their boat hell. Why didn’t the others warn you?

While we’re always learning, Kelly and I have spent a small fortune in the last ten years on boats and their refits. About 75% of the cost has been for equipment, and the remainder on labor (not including our own). We’ve replaced two engines, three standing rigs, installed two watermakers, windlasses, autopilots, wind vanes, complete electrical systems and much much more. Call it our hobby or whatever, but aside from the quantity of “boat bucks” spent, we’ve learned an enormous amount, and gained a wide variation in the experience of getting assistance.

We’ve found that a seemingly popular yard, might just appear that way because they’ve been there a while, and possibly in years past (perhaps by a progenitor with strong social and solid business skills) had been very successful with satisfying many customers. But times change, the parents step aside and the inept son might lack such essential people and business skills to satisfy boat owners.

Once upon a time there existed a selection of competitive and successful boat yards near us. But pricey coastal home development has gobbled up less profitable boat storage and workshop availability. So working boatyards have slowly disappeared – and especially for sailboats. And so does the quality of boat yards left standing spirals downward. Lack of competition means any shop can claim they’re “successful”, and charge whatever they want, especially to the newer wealthy and unsuspecting homeowners.

Go elsewhere to have work done on your boat. Go elsewhere to haul and store your boat for the winter. 

Here’s our advice, with hope that you can avoid anything similar to the unscrupulous yard manager! You DO have a choice. Any yard that gives you anything less than an initially cheerful and completely respectful response, should immediately be crossed off your list! Of course, if you want to support the local greedy, uncaring local yard owner, then go right ahead and break out your checkbook.

1. Get a written quote/estimate before agreeing to any work.
2. Consider traveling to different yards, talking with owners and workers. You’ll get either an “iffy” feeling, or one of confidence. Fortunately, your boat (and your phone) is mobile!
3. Research and ask many questions about the work: how long should it take, labor rate, parts needed, options, and most importantly, what could go wrong and/or cause the price to increase?
4. Ask for references. Eg. Were there any disputes? How were they resolved? If the project or work was over budget, did you have ample time to discuss before these costs were incurred?
5. Be very specific about the timeframe. Your schedule should fit theirs. Especially use references here.
6. Ask how you’ll be billed. Is there any up-front cost? A surcharge for credit cards? How soon after completion are charges due?

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Some good news: With each experience, we’ve learned, and you can benefit by following the simple advice above. The result is spending less money and being ever more satisfied with the results. In fact, we’ve been so pleased with the price/work quality relationship that we’re becoming more lazy and opting for doing less of the work ourselves!

In the last ten years we’ve worked closely with seven different yards, three canvas makers, and many chandleries, from Maine and Massachusetts, and down to Virginia and as far as Saint Martin. If you’re considering major work in the Newburyport area, please consider it carefully. Head north, or south. Traveling a mere 75 miles in either direction will leave you with the peaceful feeling of not being ripped off, and being treated with respect. Whether planning a long ocean passage, or simply a day-sail or coastal fishing trip, you’ll enjoy the adventure much more!