Once the pride and joy of her owner
Recently I’ve been writing about boats I have owned. Since the age of 13 I’ve owned different sailing
boats, one on average every 2 ½ years – around 26 of them! They have varied in
size from 11 ft to the largest at 30 ft. Therefore I feel qualified to have a
few opinions about boat ownership. Indeed, this subject has been a theme of
mine from as far back as 2005 when I wrote my first article.* Earlier this year
I did another,** and I have written twice about the problems and dangers of
owning too many possessions, including boats.
This time my focus is on the responsibilities of boat ownership.
Even before one acquires a boat, it would not be a bad idea
to ask a few questions: Do I really need one? Could I satisfy my desires
without one?
The moment we become an owner we assume full responsibilities for a boat's care. We accept the anticipated expenses of keeping and maintaining her.
For whatever reason a boat is acquired, an owner cannot deny
his responsibilities. He may shirk them, but that does not exonerate him from
his responsibilities. He is bound legally and morally to ensure his vessel does
not endanger members of the public. For example, he would be unwise to allow
his underage son to take a high-speed runabout unsupervised from a marina, but it happens. The owner of a trailer-sailer should check that his boat’s
road trailer is fit for purpose, and that it complies with statutory regulations.
Owners of boats should only allow those who know the rules of the road at sea*** to be at the helm, or at least have
someone who does, keep an eye on him. In this
day and age, it is unwise not to have adequate insurance for loss or damage to
another boat or structure, and for loss of life or limb.
On a different tack, for those who love boats, they see
them as objects worthy of preservation; they feel morally obliged to look after them.
They are beneficial custodians. This has been my stance. It has always been my
practise to maintain, and even improve boats while in my possession. I would
otherwise not have been happy. Having followed this practice, I have sometimes
sold boats at a loss, but I have felt contented, knowing that they were looked after.
One final observation, only a fool takes on more than he can
manage. Owning too many boats and not having the financial or practical means
of looking after them can only result in tragedy – a loss all-round. Loss, because
the boats suffer, perhaps to the extent they cannot be restored, and loss
because those who would dearly have looked after them have been denied the
privilege. So often I see boats that were once the pride and joy of their
owners, ending up as nothing more than rotting hulks, because of owners abdicating
their responsibilities. On the other hand, there can be sadness because an
owner has experienced illness or unexpected financial hardship and consequently he has not been able to maintain his boat.
***Rules of the Road at Sea: http://www.nswboating.com.au/Rules-of-the-road-at-sea.html
Related Links
*Boat Ownership
**Boat Ownership
Posessions, including Boats
Shedding Branches
1 comment:
Well said. Wise words indeed. Cut your cloth to suit your pocket / Don't try and have a Champagne boat on a Beer income - which means you will spend more time out on the water sailing rather than trying to maintain a boat you can't afford.
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